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Jul 31
Elon Musk denies rumored Tesla China contingency plans; discussions on supply chain localization shifts persist
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has denied a Wall Street Journal report on an internal plan within Tesla to prepare for a possible separation of its China operations. Despite his rebuttal, the report has still drawn attention to a wider transformation underway across the technology industry,
DIGITIMES Intelligence observed at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) that AI is rapidly reshaping the direction of the automotive industry. Competition in vehicle intelligence is shifting from software-defined vehicle (SDV) function integration towards the development of AI-defined vehicle (AIDV) capabilities, extending automakers' competitive focus from software architecture to AI models, computing platforms, and ecosystem integration.
SK On, the South Korean battery maker, reported the second quarter of 2026 being its highest quarterly profit since its 2021 spinoff from SK Innovation. The company posted revenue of about KRW2.95 trillion (US$1.995 billion) and operating profit of KRW821.8 billion, while The Elec and Bizwatch said LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI also returned to profit in the same period.
According to Automotive News' newly released 2026 Top 100 Suppliers ranking, China's CATL climbed from No. 5 to No. 3 as power batteries gained more weight in the global Tier 1 supplier landscape. The annual list showed that electrification and smart vehicle technologies continued to shift value toward batteries, intelligent electronics, and systems integration, while established suppliers such as Bosch and Denso still held leading positions.

DIGITIMES Intelligence said its observations from the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) show that AI is rapidly reshaping the automotive industry, with smart-car competition shifting from software-defined vehicles (SDV) toward AI-defined vehicles (AIDVs), as the sector moves beyond software upgrades into a new stage driven by AI.

Xiaomi has entered China's range-extended electric vehicle market with two large intelligent SUVs, expanding beyond battery-only models as it confronts slowing deliveries, renewed losses and intensifying competition from technology groups including Huawei and ByteDance.

Global automakers are moving toward larger, more integrated cockpit displays as in-car screens become the main interface between drivers, passengers, and vehicles. According to Counterpoint Research, center stacks, rear-seat entertainment systems, and head-up displays are all expanding, while traditional sub-9-inch center displays continue to lose ground.

Taiwan will not move ahead for now with proposed passenger car tariff cuts, as the government weighs the risk of disrupting the domestic vehicle supply chain and related jobs. Finance Minister Chuang Tsui-yun said the policy cannot currently be implemented because the Taiwan-US agreement tied to US-made cars has been rendered invalid.

Qualcomm Technologies and BMW Group have signed a long-term agreement under which Qualcomm will supply compute silicon for BMW's next-generation digital cockpit and advanced driver assistance and automated driving systems. The deal, announced on July 29, extends the partnership through the next decade, although financial details of the agreement have not been revealed.

Global automakers are facing slower market growth, the rapid rise of Chinese carmakers, and sustained EV investment, with Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz under strain in recent years. While German automakers still lead the global auto industry, revenue and profitability have come under broad pressure over the past two years as competition shifts from volume growth to product value and operating efficiency.

As automotive electronics, electrification, software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and AI-defined vehicles (AIDVs) reshape the global auto industry, Taiwan's Ken Sean Industries is accelerating efforts to build a non-China automotive supply chain in partnership with leading Taiwanese electronics companies and Japanese automakers.
BMW has put a two-stage battery sourcing plan in place to protect supplies for its South Carolina electric vehicle operations as AESC's US cell plant has faced delays tied to foreign entity rules. The strategy is designed to keep the Woodruff, South Carolina, high-voltage battery assembly plant on schedule for the BMW iX5 and other US-built X-series EVs.