In 2025, the autonomous vehicle industry has become the focal point of a technological cold war. The United States and China are engaged in a high-stakes competition where chips, algorithms, and geopolitical factors not only influence market share but also impact national sovereignty and industrial survival.

Taiwan's overall scooter market reached 64,723 units in October 2025, up 1.65% from September's 63,670 units and a 1.15% increase compared to 63,981 units in October 2024. Market data shows Sanyang Motor (SYM) sold 28,091 scooters in October, securing the top spot with a 43.4% market share.

South Korean electric vehicle (EV) battery maker LG Energy Solution (LGES) is facing a major security breach involving the theft of its high-density pouch-type battery technology, which reportedly ended up in the hands of Indian electric scooter manufacturer Ola Electric. The incident has raised significant concerns about the protection of South Korea's core industrial technologies.

Hinge and mechanical component manufacturer Syncmold Enterprise posted weak revenue performance in the first three quarters of 2025, mainly due to geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainties. However, the company stated that with the gradual results from new products and new customers emerging, it remains cautiously optimistic about future development.

Taiwan recorded 34,511 new car registrations in October, marking a 7.1% month-over-month and 3.9% year-over-year increase. Although still below earlier market expectations, this was the first month since April 2025 to see both monthly and yearly growth, signaling a rebound in demand as the year-end peak season approaches.

Key European and US IDMs like Texas Instruments (TI), NXP, and STMicroelectronics (STM) have released their latest earnings reports, some showing solid recovery performance in the previous quarter, while others faced relatively weak demand. Expectations for the next quarter also vary among companies.

Samsung SDI is reportedly negotiating with Tesla to supply batteries for energy storage systems, aiming to leverage rising demand from AI data centers and renewable energy projects in North America.

While global carmakers and supply chain players remain cautious about automotive market prospects, several Taiwanese chip designers are signaling quiet optimism. Leading international automotive semiconductor suppliers have adopted a wait-and-see approach, expecting only gradual recovery. Meanwhile, Taiwan's newer market entrants are experiencing stronger-than-expected order momentum.

Micro LED supplier PlayNitride reported a trough in operations for the second quarter of 2025, posting an after-tax net loss of NT$370 million (US$12 million) due to foreign exchange valuation losses. The company acknowledged that its performance in the first half of 2025 fell short of expectations but expects shipments to improve quarter-over-quarter through the third quarter and fourth quarter.

Chinese LiDAR manufacturer Hesai Technology has launched a new LiDAR priced at just US$200, challenging Tesla CEO Elon Musk's claim that relying on LiDAR is a "fool's errand." Although once reserved for luxury vehicles, LiDAR technology is making its way into midrange and budget car models. As advanced driver-assistance systems become standard in modern vehicles, LiDAR is emerging as a cornerstone of next-generation automotive sensing.

With the electric vehicle market approaching maturity and growth momentum slowing, automakers are turning to artificial intelligence and robotics as the "second curve" of manufacturing transformation.