IF Metall, Sweden's largest industrial union, is ending a strike against Tesla that has lasted 1,021 days. Despite the nearly three-year dispute, Tesla did not accept the union's demand to sign a Swedish-style collective agreement, prompting the union to end the industrial action.

IF Metall will end all industrial measures against Tesla from 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 19. The union said it became ineffective to continue the strike after Tesla effectively removed union members who had participated from the workplace.

• Longest strike ends after 1,021 days... Tesla ultimately rejects Swedish union demands

Competition in the autonomous driving market is moving beyond technology development into a phase focused on who can drive more safely and reliably on real roads. The competitive landscape is becoming clearer by company, from comparisons of Rivian and Tesla’s autonomous driving technology to regulatory barriers for Tesla’s FSD in China and Europe and Waymo’s expanded robotaxi production.

In particular, as cases of self-driving taxis operating on real city streets increase rapidly, market attention is shifting from technology demonstrations to safety and accident-response capability. As autonomous driving technology nears commercialization, unexpected incidents and regulatory issues are emerging as key variables that will determine companies’ success or failure.

• Rivian vs Tesla: Who is better at autonomous driving for electric vehicles? • Tesla FSD hits successive snags in China and Europe... held back by data rules and non-disclosure of safety • Waymo has 953 robotaxis stacked up... 684 already completed, will the gap with Tesla widen further • Self-driving taxis running in city centers surge... unexpected accidents become an issue

Tesla shares rose 3 percent amid speculation it could unveil a next-generation Roadster with flight capability. The prospect of revealing the next-generation Roadster helped lift the stock. Tesla could unveil the redesigned next-generation Roadster before the end of August. The new model may include flight capability, and related tests are expected to be conducted at a Tesla facility in McGregor, Texas, it was reported.

Still, Tesla shares were far below this year’s high of $498.83 and were closer to the year’s low of $297.38. Its market capitalization was $1.1 trillion.

• Tesla shares rise 3 percent on talk of Roadster unveiling with 'flight capability'

As Tesla’s standing in China’s car market wavers, the offensive by local companies is intensifying. Tesla is expected to continue cutting output at its Shanghai plant due to sluggish sales in China, while the No. 1 sales spot has overtaken not only Tesla but also BYD, showing that the landscape in China is changing quickly.

• Tesla not selling in China... Shanghai plant to cut output again in January next year • It beat both Tesla and BYD... what is the best-selling car in China?

As cars evolve into software-centric products, standards for vehicle lifespan and breakdowns are also changing. As with smartphones, software updates and feature changes are driving vehicle competitiveness. Hybrid vehicles can also, in some cases, be unable to drive on the engine alone if the battery is discharged, creating a need for new caution among drivers.

• A car that ages like a smartphone? Industry 고민 over software-defined vehicle lifespan • If a hybrid car battery is discharged? "You cannot relax just because there is an engine"

What happened in South Korea’s mobility industry. As T map Mobility succeeds in improving performance and accelerates efforts to strengthen profitability, service competition among mobility platforms is continuing. T map Mobility recorded a swing to profit in its second-quarter operating indicators, and Whistle introduced a parking enforcement alert service in Gangseo-gu, Busan, as it moves to expand driver convenience.

• T map Mobility posts 4.4 billion won in Q2 EBITDA... swings to profit from a year earlier • Whistle introduces parking enforcement alert service in Gangseo-gu, Busan

The global mobility industry is rapidly expanding its business areas with electric vehicles and future air mobility. China’s Chery is acquiring Nissan’s plant in South Africa to secure a local electric vehicle production base. U.S. company Joby is acquiring a defense company for $500 million and is moving to secure new growth engines by separating its air taxi and defense businesses.

• China’s Chery acquires Nissan’s Rosslyn plant in South Africa... moves into local EV production • Joby acquires defense company for $500 million... separates air taxi and defense businesses

Electric bicycles are evolving into more convenient and practical means of transportation. With the arrival of cargo e-bikes that enhance loading space and ride comfort, as well as conversion kits that add a motor to a standard bicycle to turn it into an e-bike, electrification options in everyday life are becoming more diverse.

• Comfortable and smooth... Urban Arrow launches longtail cargo e-bike 'Breeze' • A motor added with a 'click' to a regular bicycle... ASUS unveils 500W e-bike conversion kit • Cuts through sand, snow and mud... Burchda launches high-output dual-motor e-bike 'Y3 AWD'