[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] Tesla denied rumours that it has withdrawn its push for Full Self-Driving (FSD) in China. Chinese social media recently circulated claims that the Shanghai data centre had been emptied, local collaboration groups had pulled out and related jobs had disappeared.

Tesla said the Shanghai data centre is operating normally and hiring related to driver assistance is expanding. The timing of a broad FSD launch in China remains uncertain. China was not included in Tesla’s recently released list of 12 markets offering a supervised FSD subscription.

• Tesla denies withdrawing FSD from China... but why is China missing from the subscription list?

Tesla’s autonomous driving technology is advancing rapidly, but concerns are also growing about drivers’ excessive trust and the technology’s limits. Even as FSD V14 significantly improved driving performance, controversy has emerged over cases in which drivers rely too heavily on the system or do other things while driving. That has again highlighted the gap between technological advances and safe use.

• Doing other things with Tesla FSD on... controversy over autonomous driving play going too far • Tesla FSD V14 greatly improved autonomous driving, but... what still cannot it do?

Tesla is also taking divergent steps in next-generation mobility and its existing electric-vehicle business. As it accelerates expansion of robotaxis by laying out a plan to deploy 1,000 Cybercabs, the Cybertruck has drawn market attention as repeated price increases raise the burden on consumers.

• Even with 1,000 Cybercabs announced, only dozens on roads? Points to watch at Tesla’s launch event • Tesla Cybertruck again? Price raised by 7 million won each

Chinese electric-vehicle makers are accelerating efforts to target global markets while also strengthening price competitiveness. Xiaomi opened a global EV website to prepare for entering Europe, and BYD is preparing a successor model to its popular Seagull. In China, there are moves to restrict unverified EVs from entering the market, while Toyota is joining the competition by launching an EV in China that is far cheaper than the Model Y.

• Xiaomi opens global EV website... preparing for Europe launch next year • BYD to launch 'Great Seagull', a larger version of bestseller Seagull, within the year • Bold design and autonomous driving also face brakes?... China moves to block unverified EVs from entering the market • Toyota to launch 2027 bZ5 in China... priced at half of the Model Y

South Korea’s mobility industry is moving on multiple fronts, including advancing autonomous driving technology, improving profitability and revamping services. Apex Mobility has detailed its autonomous driving roadmap, and Humax Mobility succeeded in turning profitable in the first half. SoCar is also strengthening service competitiveness by integrating pricing plans targeting corporate customers and introducing always-on discounts.

• Apex Mobility unveils three-stage autonomous driving roadmap • Humax Mobility posts 1.85 billion won operating profit in first half... turns profitable • SoCar integrates 2 corporate pricing plans... adds always-on discounts

News that Hyundai Motor is preparing a new electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) in a larger class than the Ioniq 5 has also drawn attention. The name and detailed specifications have not been disclosed, but it is expected to be developed as a D-segment electric SUV applying the next-generation software-defined vehicle (SDV) platform.

Hyundai recently unveiled an undisclosed D-SUV among 5 new EV models it plans to launch in Europe at its 2026 CEO Investor Day. In presentation materials, the vehicle was positioned between the Ioniq 5 and the Santa Fe in Hyundai’s lineup. Hyundai did not officially disclose whether it would sell the model globally, its launch timing or its name.

• Hyundai Motor to deploy 100 new models by 2030 • Hyundai bets on 'range-extended EVs' in the United States... expands the playing field starting with the Santa Fe

Replacing old vehicles with poor fuel economy with EVs could be effective in responding to climate change. Some have pointed out that for some owners, it may be more economical to keep repairing and driving older vehicles. EV support policies should also be refined to steer drivers toward actually scrapping high-emission vehicles rather than focusing on purchases, the argument goes.

• Scrapping old cars more important than buying EVs... should the United States change its support policy?

Bafang unveiled 2 new mid-drive motors for electric mountain bikes that deliver up to 1,700W of power and 150Nm of torque. A high-power mode that amplifies a rider’s pedal input by up to 8 times for a short period is the key feature.

Bafang’s new products are the M510RS and M560RS. The 2 products were developed into mass-production versions after first being shown as concepts at Eurobike last year, and are set to be officially unveiled at the Italian Bike Festival in Misano, Italy, from Sept. 4 to 6. Full-scale production will begin within this year.

• Bafang unveils 2 'monster motors' for electric mountain bikes... boosts pedal power 8-fold