The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing unnamed sources, reported that Tesla is tightening restrictions on the use of China-made components in its US-produced vehicles, reflecting growing pressure on automakers to reduce exposure to China amid escalating geopolitical and trade tensions. Earlier this year, the company instructed suppliers to exclude components manufactured in China from its US production lines, according to people familiar with the matter. Some suppliers have already transitioned to alternate locations, and Tesla aims to phase out remaining China-made parts over the next one to two years.
Xpeng's flying car subsidiary ARIDGE is laying out a three-step roadmap to bring personal electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into everyday use. The company is moving from concept videos to real orders, factory capacity, and early certification work in China and the Middle East.
DIGITIMES' latest analysis predicts that the global electric vehicle (EV) market will enter a phase of slower growth in 2026, with an annual growth rate of roughly 15.2%—down from the double-digit surges exceeding 20% seen through 2025. After a period of rapid expansion, the industry is showing signs of saturation, prompting automakers to shift their strategic focus toward advanced autonomous-driving technologies to maintain competitiveness.
Luxgen, the homegrown automotive brand under Taiwan's Yulon Motor, holds a unique place in the island's industrial history. Recent reports that Foxtron—a subsidiary of Foxconn—may acquire Luxgen have stirred significant discussion in Taiwan's automotive circles.
Taiwan-based automotive software developer AutoSys Intelligent is broadening its horizons beyond self-driving cars. Building on its core expertise in autonomous driving systems, the company plans to extend its intelligent software and system technologies to drones, robotics, and other AI-driven platforms, marking the start of a multidimensional growth strategy.
Top executives from Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics held separate high-level meetings in Seoul with Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius, who visited South Korea recently to explore deeper collaboration in next-generation automotive technologies.
Taiwan's electric vehicle market (EV) is poised for a wave of new launches in the second half of 2025, with the upcoming Luxgen N5, based on Foxtron's Model B platform, attracting the most attention. Rumors have circulated that the N5's launch schedule could be altered. In response, Luxgen's public relations team told DIGITIMES that future product plans will be officially announced at the appropriate time.
Electronic components and semiconductor lead frame manufacturer Excel Cell Electronic (ECE) saw strong demand for automotive lead frames early in 2025, but momentum in the third quarter of 2025 dampened due to tariffs and market uncertainties. However, recent signs of recovery in customer orders have led the company to expect stable automotive-related demand for 2025.
Plastic injection molding giant Fu Chun Shin (FCS) reported positive year-on-year revenue growth for October 2025, driven by demand from automotive components, ICT, semiconductor, and sports industry customers. New technology deployments in the premium sports sector are beginning to reap benefits, with supercritical fluid physical foaming equipment seeing increased shipments.
Analysts believe Tesla is shifting from battery-buying to battery-making, as its procurement team is reportedly in active communication with South Korean suppliers of cathode materials, anode materials, and copper foil for batteries. This reflects Tesla pursuing vertical integration to boost profitability and establish a self-contained ecosystem. According to the Korea Economic Daily, Tesla has also discussed orders with a South Korean copper foil manufacturer, with supply expected to begin in 2026.
Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX and Tesla Inc., is making significant strides to develop a comprehensive semiconductor manufacturing supply chain in the US. Sources indicate that the fan-out panel-level packaging (FOPLP) plant in Texas has reached the equipment delivery phase and aims to commence volume production by late third quarter 2026.
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