Market Overview: In July, the total market registration volume reached 35,483 units, representing a slight 3.4% increase from June, but a significant 22.3% decline compared to July last year. While most major brands showed year-over-year declines, several recorded month-over-month growth. Lexus saw the highest increase at 38.3%, driven by strong deliveries of the NX, RX, and LM models. Among the major brands, Tesla experienced the most significant decline, down 21.3% from the previous month, primarily due to single-digit deliveries of the Model S and Model X. As of the end of July, the cumulative registration volume for the year stood at 234,450 units, down 15.7% compared to the same period last year. Although July falls within the promotional period before the Ghost Month, consumer sentiment remained cautious due to ongoing negotiations over the U.S. Trump administration’s retaliatory tariff policy. Many customers who had already ordered new vehicles chose to delay delivery, while those considering purchases were in no rush to place orders, resulting in slower inventory turnover for many brands. With the U.S. finally confirming a 20% tariff rate on Taiwanese imports, it is anticipated that the car market will stabilize once the policy direction becomes clear. Our forecast for this year’s total market remains unchanged from last month: a downward revision from last year, with close attention still needed to determine whether the 400,000-unit mark can be maintained as the effects of tariff and commodity tax policy adjustments unfold.

"Weekly car news " is a recap of some of the major stories in Taiwan car market last week.

For over a century, automakers have handled product quality issues reactively—problems are discovered by consumers, reported by dealers, and then addressed through recalls or repairs by the manufacturers. This approach is not only time-consuming but also costly. Now, with the rise of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) and the increasing availability of vehicle data, the automotive industry is ushering in a new era of quality management driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

Amid growing global concerns over supply chain disruptions triggered by China’s restrictions on rare earth exports, Japanese metal manufacturer Proterial (formerly Hitachi Metals) has announced the development of neodymium magnets that do not require the use of heavy rare-earth elements. These magnets, which can be used in electric vehicle (EV) motors, are expected to offer potential cost advantages and a new solution for stable supply in the industry.

"Weekly car news " is a recap of some of the major stories in Taiwan car market last week.

Over the past two years, China has witnessed an intense price war in the electric vehicle (EV) market, driven by both emerging EV startups and traditional automakers. This phenomenon, often referred to as “involution,” may have boosted short-term sales but has also led to plummeting profit margins and bloated inventories across the industry. In response, China’s State Council has officially announced plans to rectify what it calls “irrational competition” within the EV sector, vowing to strengthen cost investigations and enhance price monitoring. Could this mark the end of involution and restore order to China’s automotive market?

"Weekly car news " is a recap of some of the major stories in Taiwan car market last week.

For over a century, automakers have handled product quality issues reactively—problems are discovered by consumers, reported by dealers, and then addressed through recalls or repairs by the manufacturers. This approach is not only time-consuming but also costly. Now, with the rise of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) and the increasing availability of vehicle data, the automotive industry is ushering in a new era of quality management driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

Amid growing global concerns over supply chain disruptions triggered by China’s restrictions on rare earth exports, Japanese metal manufacturer Proterial (formerly Hitachi Metals) has announced the development of neodymium magnets that do not require the use of heavy rare-earth elements. These magnets, which can be used in electric vehicle (EV) motors, are expected to offer potential cost advantages and a new solution for stable supply in the industry.

"Weekly car news " is a recap of some of the major stories in Taiwan car market last week.

As the AI wave sweeps across the globe, energy demand is growing rapidly. Meanwhile, the electric vehicle industry has continued to expand in recent years. When EV batteries reach the end of their usable life, these retired batteries may become a new solution to meet the energy demands of the AI sector. Led by Tesla co-founder JB Straubel, Redwood Materials is working to repurpose these used EV batteries to build the largest second-life energy storage system in North America—an advancement in battery recycling technology.

As autonomous driving technology edges closer to commercial deployment, U.S. ride-hailing platform Lyft has announced the launch of its inaugural Driver Autonomous Forum, a new initiative specifically designed for seasoned drivers on the platform. The goal is to give human drivers a voice in the transition process as robotaxis are gradually integrated into Lyft’s service system, allowing them to participate in decision-making and influence future strategy.

As autonomous vehicle (AV) technology moves closer to commercial deployment, cities around the world face the challenge of incorporating this innovative technology into their public transportation systems while maintaining fairness and safety. Seattle, Washington, is attempting to take a different approach. Instead of allowing policies to be shaped solely by technical experts or industry stakeholders, the city has chosen to begin with its citizens—engaging diverse communities in the policy-making process and aiming to develop a truly human-centered AV integration plan. In doing so, it has introduced seven key priorities for AV development. This article explores what lessons Taiwan might draw from Seattle's approach as it charts its own path in autonomous mobility.

As autonomous driving technology moves steadily toward commercialization, Alphabet’s self-driving unit Waymo has taken another critical step forward. According to a recent announcement, Waymo has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to expand its robotaxi operations across a broader area of the San Francisco Peninsula, extending further south to include the tech hub of San Jose. This decision reflects the California government’s growing confidence in the safety and market potential of autonomous services, and it further consolidates Waymo’s dominant position in the U.S. robotaxi landscape.