The U.S. Transportation Department is pursuing regulatory changes that would remove a requirement to install brake pedals in vehicles designed to operate solely with automated driving systems. If the proposal is finalised, it is expected to lower commercialisation barriers for companies such as Tesla and Zoox developing fully autonomous vehicles without steering wheels and pedals.

Tesla, in particular, appears to be accelerating expansion as it adds a free Supercharger event and plans to increase staffing at its Berlin plant. Expectations for eased self-driving rules and a recovery in demand are combining to renew attention on Tesla’s global growth strategy.

• Tesla hits jackpot? U.S. to scrap brake-pedal requirement for self-driving cars • Tesla offers lifetime free Supercharging... launches a 'charging king' event selecting only 9 people worldwide • Tesla to hire 1,000 more at Berlin plant... European demand recovery

Tesla is maintaining its presence by highlighting AI-based safety technology and manufacturing competitiveness. It is developing technology that predicts collisions in advance and deploys airbags pre-emptively, while the Model 3 ranked No. 1 among U.S.-made cars for a sixth consecutive year, again demonstrating production competitiveness.

Still, the electric vehicle market’s growth is showing signs of slowing, drawing attention to whether Tesla can sustain growth momentum through AI and technological innovation.

• Tesla brings AI to airbags... deploys 70 milliseconds earlier by predicting collisions • Tesla Model 3 tops U.S.-made cars for 6 straight years... EV market slams the brakes

Signals are emerging that Toyota is adjusting the pace of its electric vehicle strategy. Development of the next-generation electric sedan LF-ZC has been halted, while an electric vehicle recall linked to a possible battery ECU defect is also increasing the burden of quality management.

• Toyota abruptly halts its ambitious LF-ZC electric sedan... next-generation EV technology still goes ahead • Toyota recalls 20,991 electric vehicles... possible battery ECU defect

China’s electric vehicle industry is rapidly expanding its global influence, backed by production innovation and growing exports. Nio was recognised for manufacturing competitiveness with a smart factory in which AI manages the entire production process, and China’s electric vehicle exports recorded an all-time high, centred on Southeast Asian markets.

As production technology and overseas market expansion converge, China appears to be further strengthening its global leadership in the electric vehicle industry.

• AI controls entire production process... China’s Nio F2 plant named a 'global lighthouse factory' to lead manufacturing • China’s electric vehicles swept Southeast Asia... monthly export value hits record $9.2 billion

South Korea’s mobility industry is stepping up competition in in-vehicle services and data-based platforms. Naver is expanding its mobility business after being installed in Hyundai Motor infotainment systems, while TMAP Mobility is moving to improve user convenience by strengthening real-time parking information services.

Whistle is also upgrading its market analysis services based on used-car demand data, as South Korean mobility companies accelerate platform- and data-driven competition.

• Naver installed in Hyundai Motor infotainment... mobility business moves into full swing • TMAP Mobility starts real-time guidance to available spaces at airport parking lots • Whistle Pickdeal: demand for value sedans remains steady... continues even during SUV peak season

Hyundai Motor and Kia are accelerating competition in premium electric vehicles and future vehicle technology. As the release of Genesis’ flagship electric SUV, the GV90, nears, the companies are also verifying in-cabin sterilisation technology that can be used even while occupants are inside, as part of efforts to differentiate.

With both an expansion of the high-end electric vehicle lineup and the application of new technology moving in parallel, an assessment is emerging that Hyundai Motor Group is further strengthening its premium mobility competitiveness.

• Genesis GV90 release confirmed for Sept. 9... 200 million won-class luxury electric vehicle coming • Works even while riding... Hyundai Motor and Kia verify world’s first 'vehicle sterilisation' technology

The electric bicycle market is entering a competition over new products that raise both performance and versatility. As multipurpose electric bicycles covering everything from daily travel to mountain riding emerge, next-generation platforms featuring AI automatic shifting and ultra-fast charging have also been unveiled, intensifying technology competition.

• School drop-offs and mountain riding in one... DJI’s all-purpose e-bike 'Amflow TL Carbon' • AI automatic shifting with 20-minute charging... Gobao unveils next-generation e-bike platform 'X'

In the shared electric bicycle market, concerns are also growing over safety accidents as user numbers rise. A string of shin injuries during shared e-bike use has even produced the new term 'Lime Bike Leg,' drawing attention.

• Up to shin fractures... warning over 'Lime Bike Leg' as shared e-bikes surge