As autonomous driving technology moves steadily toward commercialization, Alphabet’s self-driving unit Waymo has taken another critical step forward. According to a recent announcement, Waymo has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to expand its robotaxi operations across a broader area of the San Francisco Peninsula, extending further south to include the tech hub of San Jose. This decision reflects the California government’s growing confidence in the safety and market potential of autonomous services, and it further consolidates Waymo’s dominant position in the U.S. robotaxi landscape.

"Weekly car news " is a recap of some of the major stories in Taiwan car market last week.

Nissan recently announced the cancellation of its plan to build its first electric vehicle battery plant in Kitakyushu, Japan. Meanwhile, Toyota is also planning to postpone the construction schedule of its battery plant in the Shin-Matsuyama Coastal Industrial Zone near Kanda Port in Fukuoka Prefecture. These developments represent not only strategic adjustments for the two major automakers but also deal a significant blow to Japan’s broader industrial policy. At a time when the global EV industry is developing at high speed, Japan’s original plan to accelerate the construction of a domestic battery supply chain — aimed at preserving the international competitiveness of its auto industry — is now facing serious challenges.

This week, Ford Motor Co. announced the layoff of approximately 350 employees from its North American connected vehicle software team, accounting for about 5% of the department’s workforce. This decision highlights the challenges faced by automakers at a critical juncture in the transition to the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) era. Even though connected functions and digital experiences have become the core battlegrounds for product development and brand transformation, car manufacturers continue to face multiple hurdles, including talent integration, resource allocation, and adjustments to technical architecture.

"Weekly car news " is a recap of some of the major stories in Taiwan car market last week.

In the fiercely competitive global electric vehicle (EV) market, Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, a subsidiary of Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), once again demonstrates its ambition for expansion. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japan's Mitsubishi Motors, aiming to launch an electric vehicle specifically designed for the Australian and New Zealand markets in the second half of 2026. This EV model will be designed and managed by Foxtron and manufactured in Taiwan by Yulon Motor. It will be sold under the Mitsubishi brand through an OEM agreement, representing a concrete realization of Foxconn’s MIH platform strategy successfully attracting global automakers.

"Weekly car news " is a recap of some of the major stories in Taiwan car market last week.

This week, Ford Motor Co. announced the layoff of approximately 350 employees from its North American connected vehicle software team, accounting for about 5% of the department’s workforce. This decision highlights the challenges faced by automakers at a critical juncture in the transition to the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) era. Even though connected functions and digital experiences have become the core battlegrounds for product development and brand transformation, car manufacturers continue to face multiple hurdles, including talent integration, resource allocation, and adjustments to technical architecture.

In the fiercely competitive global electric vehicle (EV) market, Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, a subsidiary of Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), once again demonstrates its ambition for expansion. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japan's Mitsubishi Motors, aiming to launch an electric vehicle specifically designed for the Australian and New Zealand markets in the second half of 2026. This EV model will be designed and managed by Foxtron and manufactured in Taiwan by Yulon Motor. It will be sold under the Mitsubishi brand through an OEM agreement, representing a concrete realization of Foxconn’s MIH platform strategy successfully attracting global automakers.

"Weekly car news " is a recap of some of the major stories in Taiwan car market last week.

As autonomous driving technology moves steadily toward commercialization, Alphabet’s self-driving unit Waymo has taken another critical step forward. According to a recent announcement, Waymo has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to expand its robotaxi operations across a broader area of the San Francisco Peninsula, extending further south to include the tech hub of San Jose. This decision reflects the California government’s growing confidence in the safety and market potential of autonomous services, and it further consolidates Waymo’s dominant position in the U.S. robotaxi landscape.

Nissan recently announced the cancellation of its plan to build its first electric vehicle battery plant in Kitakyushu, Japan. Meanwhile, Toyota is also planning to postpone the construction schedule of its battery plant in the Shin-Matsuyama Coastal Industrial Zone near Kanda Port in Fukuoka Prefecture. These developments represent not only strategic adjustments for the two major automakers but also deal a significant blow to Japan’s broader industrial policy. At a time when the global EV industry is developing at high speed, Japan’s original plan to accelerate the construction of a domestic battery supply chain — aimed at preserving the international competitiveness of its auto industry — is now facing serious challenges.

On 30th April, Toyota and Waymo officially announced that they have reached a preliminary agreement to collaborate on accelerating the development and application of autonomous driving technologies. The partnership will also include Woven by Toyota, the automaker’s strategic subsidiary, to further integrate advanced software development and mobility innovation resources—demonstrating a strong commitment by both industry giants to advancing the future of self-driving mobility.

On 21st April 21, at its inaugural CATL TECH DAY, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) unveiled three groundbreaking battery technologies: the Second-generation Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery, the Naxtra (Sodium-ion) Battery, and the Freevoy Dual-Power Battery. These innovations not only reaffirm CATL’s global leadership in battery technology but also mark major advancements in charging efficiency, extreme temperature adaptability, and multi-chemistry integration. Each of these technologies offers stark contrast to current mainstream solutions and has the potential to reshape the trajectory of the electric vehicle (EV) industry.