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May 25, 15:06
CATL weighs stake in AI startup deepSeek

According to several people familiar with the matter, Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL), the world's largest maker of electric-vehicle (EV) batteries, is in talks to participate in a major financing round for the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-up DeepSeek. The prospective investment highlights how China's AI boom is forging new alliances among technology firms, industrial companies, and energy providers, all competing to build the infrastructure required for the next generation of computing.

Zeng Hsing Industrial held its annual general meeting on May 25. It approved the 2025 business report and financial statements, the earnings distribution plan, amendments to the articles of incorporation, and a private placement to issue new common shares. The firm reported 2025 consolidated revenue of NT$8.104 billion (US$257.7 million), down 2.8% from the prior year, with pre-tax profit of NT$864 million and earnings per share of NT$5.52.
Auto parts maker Hiroca said it expected operations to return to a growth track in the second half of 2026 as overseas orders and its push into smart cockpit technologies began to yield results. Executives said the company was broadening its customer base across China, North America, and Asia-Pacific and diversifying its product portfolio to reduce concentration risk tied to a single vehicle lineup and market.
Global PMX reported full-year consolidated revenue of NT$7.823 billion (US$249.3 million) for 2025, up 1.71% year-over-year, and after cost and product-mix improvements posted net income attributable to the parent of NT$696 million with earnings per share of NT$6.04, the company announced. Executives said the firm expects to benefit from accelerating global demand for AI compute and related infrastructure investment.
Stellantis and Qualcomm expanded their multi-year collaboration to deploy Snapdragon Digital Chassis system-on-chip (SoC) solutions across Stellantis' global vehicle portfolio, affecting cockpit, connectivity, and driver-assistance systems. The move aims to standardize platforms, cut costs, and accelerate the deployment of advanced driver-assist and automated-driving features for customers worldwide, while enabling continuous updates and AI-driven driving experiences.
As Computex approaches, DIGITIMES hosted a forum where analyst Mark Yee argued that Physical AI is driving autonomous driving into full commercial validation, with implications for market structure and technology leadership.
The 2026 Beijing Auto Show, which concluded on May 3, offered a glimpse into what may become the next defining chapter of China's automotive industry: not simply electric vehicles, but intelligent mobility powered by artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and deeply localized innovation.
Hotai Motor Co. said it will produce Toyota's Noah and Voxy models in Taiwan and begin exporting them to Japan in October 2026, a move aimed at deepening Taiwan's role in the global automotive supply chain and supporting Japan's vehicle demand. According to Japanese media reports and Hotai statements, Toyota will add a dedicated production line in Taiwan, with output currently built at Toyota Auto Body's Fujimatsu plant and set to expand to Kuozui Motors' Guanyin plant from October 2026.
Tesla has begun recruiting for driver-assistance roles in China as it pushes ahead to bring its full self-driving (FSD) system to market. The move comes after repeated delays and amid growing pressure from local competitors — including Xpeng Motors, Xiaomi Auto, and Huawei Technologies — on the US electric vehicle (EV) maker's market share.
Nio reported a return to operating profitability in the first quarter of 2026, marking its second consecutive profitable quarter as revenue and deliveries surged on stronger demand and an improved product mix.
Forcelead Technology said it expects stable operations through 2026 as it rolls out a touch-TDDI product and pursues new automotive display opportunities, a development with implications for global suppliers and aftermarket channels as automakers adopt more advanced cockpit features. The company aims to protect margins while expanding beyond its core display business.
On May 21 in Beijing, Xiaomi held its "Human–Car–Home" ecosystem product launch event, where founder, chairman, and CEO Lei Jun unveiled the updated Xiaomi YU7 family, introducing two new variants: the YU7 GT and the YU7 Standard Edition.