Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company is considering building a large semiconductor fabrication plant to meet rising demand for AI and robotics chips, while keeping open the possibility of cooperation with Intel, a move that could redefine Tesla's chip strategy and the broader US semiconductor landscape.
Taiwan's leading shared mobility provider, iRent, announced a major partnership with WeMo, bringing WeMo's fleet of 10,000 shared electric scooters onto the iRent app starting today.
Amid the global trend toward automotive electrification and smartification, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has commissioned the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) to spearhead a Taiwan Pavilion at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) and Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, aiming to support Taiwan auto parts suppliers in securing orders in major US trade shows. A total of 270 Taiwanese companies showcased their products, marking the second-largest delegation at the joint events.
Long seen as a global automaker struggling to yield meaningful results from its massive investments in vehicle electronics and electrification, Volkswagen is now entering its most important market: China. It is preparing to launch development of its first system-on-chip (SoC) designed entirely in China, a key component that will power Level 3 driver-assistance systems and future fully autonomous driving functions.
The European automotive industry faces unprecedented challenges in 2025, grappling with slow progress in electronic/electrical (E/E) transformation and widespread internal layoffs, while being externally disrupted by Nexperia's semiconductor supply issues. However, the most profound shakeup may come from a "breakthrough battle" launched in September by China's top three automakers—MG, BYD, and Chery—who jointly pushed Chinese plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to new heights in Europe.
End-market performance is expected to reflect improving demand for automotive chips in the second to third quarters of 2026. The optical industry has benefited significantly, with companies including CALIN, Asia Optical (AO), and Canon focusing on automotive lenses.
China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has launched its largest recruitment campaign in nearly a decade, planning to add approximately sixty new officials in 2026. According to a MOFCOM announcement, the Bureau of Industry Security, Import and Export Control plans to recruit at least five new staff members in 2026, the highest number since 2022. Despite the current US-China trade war truce, MOFCOM's rare earth control division continues its expansion.
Continuous upgrades in memory technology have created a structural imbalance in supply and demand. Nevertheless, memory supplier Winbond Electronics delivered strong earnings in the third quarter of 2025. General manager Pei-Ming Chen stated that some customers are even seeking DDR4 long-term contracts of up to six years, and this structural shift is expected to last through 2027.
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.
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