Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from July 7 to July 13, 2025. This week's top three highlights include China’s semiconductor ambitions facing setbacks as Jiangsu Advanced Memory Semiconductor cancels its restructuring amid investment delays. Meanwhile, MediaTek gains ground on Qualcomm in China’s premium smartphone market, signaling a notable industry shift. The US-China semiconductor standoff shows signs of tactical maneuvering, with both sides testing political and economic limits.
Hyundai Motor, South Korea's largest automaker, has announced plans to release its first production vehicle equipped with end-to-end (E2E) autonomous driving technology by 2027. The company also aims to launch a fully integrated software-defined vehicle (SDV), powered by artificial intelligence and cloud-based services, by 2028.
A sweeping Republican-sponsored bill informally dubbed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" has cleared both chambers of Congress and now awaits President Donald Trump's signature. Once signed into law, it will repeal the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a cornerstone of former President Biden's climate and clean energy agenda, effectively marking the end of a short-lived era of generous federal subsidies for electric vehicles and renewable energy.
Taiwan's electric scooter market appears to be entering a new phase—one defined by a tripartite division of battery-swapping networks. But with limited space, dense urban populations, and room still left for adoption growth, a fundamental question arises: How many battery-swapping systems does Taiwan need? And more importantly, what are the hidden costs and long-term risks that come with this model?
Driven by global industrial trends and supportive local policies, Taiwan has taken an aggressive lead in developing its electric scooter industry. With major players like Gogoro Network and Kymco's Ionex already entrenched, a potential new entrant — a coalition between Sanyang Motor (SYM) and CPC Corporation, Taiwan's state-owned oil company — is sparking debate over whether the market can support a third battery-swapping system.
The Trump administration has moved to expand its sweeping tariff policy on global automotive imports, introducing a new round of "reciprocal tariffs" that target specific auto components previously excluded from earlier duties. The new measures are separate from those already enacted this spring on complete vehicles and key parts.
US President Donald Trump has formally notified South Korea of plans to impose a 25% tariff on select imports, with implementation set for August 1. While a three-week window for negotiations remains, industry observers widely anticipate that talks will face significant headwinds.
Nissan Motor Co. has initiated discussions with Foxconn over a possible collaboration to convert its Oppama plant in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, into a manufacturing site for EVs. If finalized, Foxconn plans to inject fresh capital into Oppama and leverage the facility's sprawling supply network and experienced workforce to strengthen its EV supply chain in Japan.
Taiwanese electric vehicle maker Aeon Motor has officially begun mass production at its new Vietnam facility as of April, with the first batch of US-bound products shipped in May. The company sees the move as a critical milestone in its broader global expansion and a strategic hedge amid shifting trade policies and intensifying supply chain decoupling.
