Welcome back! Did you miss me? Yes, of course you did it. There are many new “future transport” to watch. Let’s jump.
It’s a return week, and not just because I got back from the holidays. I am talking about the two -year IAA mobility conference in Munich and the deliberate effort among German automakers to show the world that it can still offer fascinating, technologically advanced and affordable vehicles. The splashy event that started on Tuesday: “Hey, China, we are not out of the race.”
Team vw; Mercedesand Bmw They all showed many new vehicles, including electricians. And executives made the battle screams: VW team Oliver Blume hit a swollen tone in some interviews with journalists and set the company’s plan to be competitive in ChinaEspecially with EVS, a category where VW is delayed.
But what about the front at home? Chinese automakers are pushing for Europe and consumers have responded. German automakers hope that their latest products-including a new Mercedes GLC, BMW IX3 with the four “Superbrain” computers and Volkswagen ID Polo and ID Cross Concept-maintain and develop market share. But they have some work to do. Chinese companies such as BYD almost doubled their market share in Europe in the past year, Jato Dynamics reported July.
Another IAA Note: Rimac technologyRimac Group Technology and Spare Parts Unit has been developed Solid state battery packages Says it will be available by the end of 2027. These batteries are apparently packed in energy and can be charged from 10% to 80% under 10 minutes.
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A little bird
Hyundai seems to have been committed CinematicAccording to two little birds shared new investment data with me.
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Hyundai and Appiv created a consortium (called Motional) with an agreement to invest $ 4 billion in the effort. APTIV supported in early 2024, leaving Hyundai either investing its own money, finding other external partners or closing the program completely. Hyundai has chosen to invest $ 1 billion – $ 475 million directly in motion as part of a wider agreement involving the acquisition of AptiV consortium. Hyundai has agreed to spend another $ 448 million to buy 11% of Appiv’s joint shareholder in Motional.
Now it seems that Hyundai is investing more in two doses motion. The first is scattered this year and is about $ 452 million. The second comes next year and I still try to nail this amount. This first number is in agreement with Report from a Korean exit. Hyundai refused (sometimes!) To answer my questions about funding. This is quite characteristic for big companies to stay mom. However, a small bird that is deep in the AV industry also noted that Hyundai may not want to do much about it, considering it also working with Waymo.
In other small bird bites, there are two new hires in the General engine that you may find interest. Sony mohapatraThe former senior director of AI Compute Platforms in Cruise, landed as director of AI and mechanical mechanical learning at General Motors. And Paul mensonWho was Megapack’s Senior Account Officer in TeslaHe is now director of the development of energy storage systems in General Motors.
Do you have a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosec to kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or my mark on kkorosec.07, or Sean O’Kane in sean.okane@techcrunch.com.
Offers!
ViaThe launch of transit software that has drawn attention to the consumer transportation service, which is facing its debut, made the IPO debut. The company, as I mentioned earlier, has hit around the plans for an iPo for years.
Earlier this year, she was confidently deposited for an iPo – the second time she took this step. But this time, through the big ipo jump. The company, known for the Citymapper Mobile Navigation application, stated it 10.7 million shares for sale for $ 46 per share. Overall, through the increase of $ 492.9 million in valuation of $ 3.7 billion. This is slightly above the valuation of $ 3.5 billion in 2023 during the latest business growth.
We had to complete this newsletter before officially starting trading, but I’ll be back next week with an update.
Other agreements that received my attention …
ArcThe launch of Los Angeles, founded in 2021 by former SPACEX employees, signed a $ 160 million contract with Curtin Maritime for new hybrid electric towers, which are expected to hit the waters around the port of Los Angeles in 2027.
LeydenjarBattery-based batteries increased EUR 13 million ($ 15.2 million) in a round led by Expantia and Invest-NL.
Standard fleeta fleet management company company, brought $ 13 million In a series of A round led by the Nova limit with the participation of Wex Venture Capital, SNR, Garry Tan (CEO of Y Combinator), Salil Deshpande (Uncorrelated Ventures) and Apoorv Bhargava (WeaveGrid). The return investors included Burst Capital, Canvas Ventures, Liquid 2, Night Capital, Olive Capital, UP2398 and Danny Wen.
Notable reading and other tidbits
THE Federal Aviation Administration announced a new pilot program that will allow electric vertical take -off and landing (EVTOL) to try certain functions before receiving full regulatory certification.
Hyundai’s A butter starting electric taxi Uncle It is difficult to get out of the ground. The company stopped working on the aircraft program after a few months of seeing staff cuts and the departure of CEO and CTO, two people familiar with the issue, they told TechCrunch.
EnrichmentThe mountain view -based start in Siberia and is known for its -based promotional promotional promotions across Asia and Latin America wants to be a global super application. Here is and where it aims.
Jaguar Land Rover He said a cyberettack brought the vehicle assembly lines in a stop.
Bent and Can mobility A robot service in Atlanta, the first commercial development in the partnership of the two companies, have begun.
Nevada Professional Security Safety and Health Service He opened a survey after a boring company employee suffered a “overwhelming injury” working in one of his tunnels in Las Vegas. Work has stopped on the site.
Tesla He has the right permission to start testing autonomous vehicle technology on public roads in Nevada. As I explain in this article, securing a Test License in the State is simple and easy. (Simply fill in the registry form and make sure you have the right $ 5 million insurance coverage.) Tesla will still have to complete the self-degree process so that it can develop an entire program. And will need a separate approval to operate a commercial service.
Bery and Chinese autonomous vehicle start Instantaneously Plan to start the Robbick Test in Munich starting in 2026.
THE US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Beryaccusing the company that deals with the breach of federal law by distinguishing people with physical disabilities.
Another thing …
TechCrunch disturbs 2025 It is right around the corner – in about six weeks. And we have some high -profile peoples from the world of transport coming to our stage at the Moscow Center in San Francisco. The event, which will take place on October 27 to October 29, will include Very Co -founder and CEO Alex Kendall; Diameter co-director Tekedra Mawakanaand Bending Founder and CEO Ryan Petersen. And a lot is coming. Stay tuned.
You can buy tickets here. And be sure to check out the Battlefield Startup 200, a fairly incredible list of the newly established businesses that will present – and some walks on the main scene.
