Samsung SDI is simultaneously expanding its lower-cost LFP supply chain and advancing its next-generation all-solid-state battery roadmap, signing separate agreements with POSCO Future M and EcoPro BM as it broadens its battery chemistry portfolio.

Honda Motor said on October 5, 2026, that it had developed core technology for a magnetic-coupling wireless power supply road system with Taisei and other partners, setting up on-road testing on Japanese expressways as early as fiscal 2027. The work reflects continued research into battery electric vehicle technologies even as some automakers scale back parts of their 2020s electrification plans.

SpaceX launched its Starship super heavy-lift rocket on September 28, successfully reaching orbit for the first time and deploying 26 Starlink V3 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Each Starship mission can carry up to approximately 60 Starlink V3 satellites. Although neither stage was recovered, both splashed down at sea and the satellite deployment was successful.

As Chinese battery makers accelerate their push into sodium-ion batteries, South Korea's three major battery manufacturers are moving quickly into the emerging technology, seeking to avoid repeating their late entry into lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

Formosa Automobile, a member of Taiwan's Formosa Plastics Group, unveiled the new-generation DAF XF long-haul tractor on October 6, introducing 35-ton and 43-ton models for heavy-haul and container transport as it targets a 20% share of Taiwan's heavy-tractor market. The company plans to begin fleet trials of electric trucks in 2027, with a commercial launch targeted as early as late 2028.

Formosa Automobile held a launch event on October 6 for the new-generation DAF XF semi-truck, officially bringing to Taiwan the new DAF series developed by Dutch manufacturer DAF Trucks in line with the European Union's (EU) latest regulations. The 43-ton variants are assembled locally in Taiwan, while the 35-ton variant is imported.

The complexity of vehicle economics surrounding surging battery costs has long put the EV industry in a difficult position, caught between power-delivery constraints and energy-efficiency demands.

Days after reports emerged that TSMC was reassessing plans for a wafer fab in Texas, Tim Culpan, a former Bloomberg columnist and founder of independent media outlet Culpium, disclosed that the chipmaker is in discussions with Elon Musk's Terafab over potential cooperation.

Global electric vehicle (EV) sales have moved beyond the hypergrowth stage and entered a period of consolidation, with year-over-year growth slowing to just 2% in the first half of 2026 after gains of roughly 25% in both 2024 and 2025. Overseas expansion, new-model launches and product-mix strategies are emerging as three key factors determining automakers' performance.

General Motors (GM) and Ford Motor are deepening their smart vehicle strategies with support from Silicon Valley technology companies, tapping AI, cloud, and computing capabilities from Google and Nvidia to accelerate vehicle software development, according to DIGITIMES. While the two US automakers are taking different approaches, both are seeking to strengthen their software-defined vehicle (SDV) technology, smart cockpits, and advanced driving capabilities.

Lite-On Technology is stepping up its strategic investment in server hardware manufacturing and electric vehicle (EV) charging software integration to support overall revenue growth. On October 2, the company announced that its board approved a capital expenditure plan to expand capacity at its Kaohsiung branch in southern Taiwan. Its wholly owned US subsidiary Leotek Electronics also announced the acquisition of California-based EV charging software provider AmpUp through a reverse triangular merger.