US President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policy has struck the global economy like a machine gun blast. His 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, coupled with uncertainties surrounding the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), have already sent shockwaves through the automotive industry.

Chinese companies like BYD are now leaders in autonomous driving technology, bolstered by a strong ecosystem and government support, putting significant pressure on Tesla.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong was recently joined by senior executives from the company's semiconductor and display departments on a rare visit to China. Industry analysts in South Korea say the joint trip is highly unusual and likely points to a strategic pivot in Samsung Group's China operations.

In a remarkable power shift over the past decade, Xiaomi has transformed from an industry underdog to a dominant force. While CEO Lei Jun once waited hours to secure Samsung display panels, Samsung's chairman now visits Xiaomi's electric vehicle (EV) factory. Similarly, Xiaomi has surpassed Chinese home appliance giant Gree in revenue and market value, with its ecosystem strategy proving superior to Gree's single-product focus in today's digital economy.

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD is considering establishing an electric car manufacturing unit near Hyderabad, which would make Telangana the first Indian state to host a BYD factory. The company has engaged in extensive discussions with the state government and is assessing three proposed locations before finalizing a site and signing an agreement, reports ETV Bharat, Business Standard, and the Times of India.

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle (EV) brand under Geely, is making swift moves to enter the South Korean market. On December 28, 2024, the company registered "Zeekr Intelligent Technology Korea Holding" with the South Korean court registry, signaling the start of its market expansion, reports Money Today and The Hankyoreh.

Xiaomi made a strong entry into the electric vehicle (EV) market in 2024, selling 136,800 units of its debut model, the SU7. Founder Jun Lei has set an ambitious target of reaching 350,000 sales in 2025, positioning Xiaomi among China's top EV brands. The company's expansion into automotive manufacturing marks a significant shift from its smartphone business, differentiating it from many of its industry peers.

Despite the EU imposing anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEVs)—bringing total tariffs to nearly 50%—Chinese automakers have strategically shifted their focus to tariff-free plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), managing to boost their sales and market share in Europe.

China's EV industry is now building on the past glories of its automotive sector. The much-criticized issue of "overcapacity" seems to be a perpetual non-concern. Outdated, low-quality EVs are sent to the scrapyard during market transitions. China's system naturally eliminates laggards that fail to keep pace. The Chinese assure the world there is no need to worry unnecessarily, emphasizing that they possess greater resilience and flexibility than other nations to tolerate failures. Even if only three EV manufacturers remain profitable, the Chinese will not falter.

At Nvidia GTC 2025, the discussion surrounding advanced autonomous driving heated up, with US automotive alliances and tech industry groups joining forces to urge President Donald Trump to take action. Their goal: to expedite the deployment of self-driving cars by overcoming current regulatory hurdles before China takes the lead in this emerging sector.

US President Donald Trump is set to impose a 25% tariff on imported cars and related parts in April and May. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has vowed to defend the nation's sovereignty. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose province is home to North America's only cluster of five automotive manufacturers and eight assembly plants, has threatened retaliation. The province also houses engine and transmission factories, making it a key player in the region's automotive industry.