As autonomous driving technology edges closer to commercial deployment, U.S. ride-hailing platform Lyft has announced the launch of its inaugural Driver Autonomous Forum, a new initiative specifically designed for seasoned drivers on the platform. The goal is to give human drivers a voice in the transition process as robotaxis are gradually integrated into Lyft’s service system, allowing them to participate in decision-making and influence future strategy.

Market Overview: In June, the total market registration volume reached 34,320 units, marking a slight 7.6% increase compared to May. However, it showed a significant 17.5% decline from June of last year. Most major brands experienced growth compared to May, with Tesla seeing the most dramatic increase—up 759.4%—primarily due to the large arrival and delivery of the facelifted Model Y, which continued to register steady deliveries. Among the major brands, Lexus suffered the steepest decline, down 33.5% from last month. This was mainly due to various levels of decline in its key SUV models such as the NX, UX, and LBX, with the LBX seeing a dramatic drop of 79.7%. As of the end of June, the year-to-date cumulative registration volume stood at 198,967 units, representing a sharp 14.4% year-over-year decline. Consumer sentiment remained cautious this month, influenced by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the U.S. Trump administration’s retaliatory tariff negotiations. Many imported new vehicles have already arrived at ports but are unable to be cleared, registered, or delivered due to the situation. The market is awaiting the outcome of the government’s negotiations with the U.S. to determine how vehicle pricing will be adjusted, which is crucial for market normalization. Considering the impact of the ongoing tariff and commodity tax issues, our forecast for the total market this year has been revised downward. We now anticipate a battle to maintain the 400,000-unit threshold before year-end.

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

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, China is accelerating its push for self-reliance in automotive chips. According to a report by Nikkei Asia, major Chinese automakers—including SAIC Motor, Changan Automobile, Great Wall Motor, BYD, Li Auto, and Geely—are expected to begin rolling out vehicle models equipped with 100% domestically produced chips starting in 2026. At least two of these companies are already preparing for mass production, signaling a rapid deepening of integration between China’s automotive and semiconductor industries.

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

As autonomous vehicle (AV) technology moves closer to commercial deployment, cities around the world face the challenge of incorporating this innovative technology into their public transportation systems while maintaining fairness and safety. Seattle, Washington, is attempting to take a different approach. Instead of allowing policies to be shaped solely by technical experts or industry stakeholders, the city has chosen to begin with its citizens—engaging diverse communities in the policy-making process and aiming to develop a truly human-centered AV integration plan. In doing so, it has introduced seven key priorities for AV development. This article explores what lessons Taiwan might draw from Seattle's approach as it charts its own path in autonomous mobility.

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

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, China is accelerating its push for self-reliance in automotive chips. According to a report by Nikkei Asia, major Chinese automakers—including SAIC Motor, Changan Automobile, Great Wall Motor, BYD, Li Auto, and Geely—are expected to begin rolling out vehicle models equipped with 100% domestically produced chips starting in 2026. At least two of these companies are already preparing for mass production, signaling a rapid deepening of integration between China’s automotive and semiconductor industries.

The Japanese government has recently announced a new subsidy program aimed at hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles, offering a subsidy of ¥700 (approximately NT$145) per kilogram of hydrogen. This move underscores the growing importance of hydrogen energy in the global clean energy transition, especially as it faces challenges such as high costs, infrastructure limitations, and technological maturity.

Rare earth metals play an indispensable role in modern automobiles. From the permanent magnets inside electric motors, to the sensor modules essential for ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), and even to the charging and energy management systems, rare earths are critical materials. However, since April this year, China, the dominant supplier of rare earths, has imposed export restrictions on several rare earth metals and related magnets. This move has quickly caused upheaval across global industries. Amid the rapid growth of electric vehicles, the tightening of rare earth supplies not only delays production schedules but also drives up overall costs, putting pressure on both pricing and delivery timelines.

As autonomous driving technology edges closer to commercial deployment, U.S. ride-hailing platform Lyft has announced the launch of its inaugural Driver Autonomous Forum, a new initiative specifically designed for seasoned drivers on the platform. The goal is to give human drivers a voice in the transition process as robotaxis are gradually integrated into Lyft’s service system, allowing them to participate in decision-making and influence future strategy.

As autonomous vehicle (AV) technology moves closer to commercial deployment, cities around the world face the challenge of incorporating this innovative technology into their public transportation systems while maintaining fairness and safety. Seattle, Washington, is attempting to take a different approach. Instead of allowing policies to be shaped solely by technical experts or industry stakeholders, the city has chosen to begin with its citizens—engaging diverse communities in the policy-making process and aiming to develop a truly human-centered AV integration plan. In doing so, it has introduced seven key priorities for AV development. This article explores what lessons Taiwan might draw from Seattle's approach as it charts its own path in autonomous mobility.

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.