As smart vehicles shift from mechanical machines to software-defined platforms, the global auto industry is confronting structural challenges that stretch far beyond hardware. At the Smart Automotive Forum held on May 16 in Taipei, TÜV Rheinland, a leading global provider of technical testing and certification, presented a comprehensive white paper titled Driving the Future: Key Trends in Intelligent Vehicle Development (transliteration), which outlines the regulatory, technical, and validation transformations ahead.
As President Donald Trump's auto tariff policy begins to take effect—levying duties on foreign-made vehicles and parts while exempting Canadian and Mexican imports—the market is already showing signs of strain.
It's unclear how many still recall the optimism with which 2025 was once hailed—by automakers across Europe, the US, and even China—as the definitive launch year for Level 3 (L3) autonomous vehicles. Yet, as the calendar pages turn, the odds of L3 systems arriving on time—and making a triumphant debut—now seem slim.
In Taiwan, car prices have long been a hot topic among consumers. With recent debates surrounding whether or not to lower import tariffs, the pricing gap between domestic and imported vehicles has once again taken center stage.
In a dramatic move reflecting the mounting challenges of the electric vehicle transition, Ford Motor Company has halted development of its FNV4 electrical and software architecture, citing ballooning losses and growing concerns over potential tariff impacts under a possible second Trump administration.
