At this year’s IAA International Auto Show in Munich, Germany, six exhibition halls were almost entirely occupied by technology companies and startups, with cars themselves seemingly relegated to the background. This arrangement reflects the fact that the automotive industry is gradually transforming into a “mobile technology industry,” where electrical engineering, semiconductors, and display technologies are becoming deeply integrated with vehicles. Two technologies in particular deserve attention: the iBEE motor jointly developed by Valeo and Mahle, and Samsung’s new OLED smart cockpit display concepts.

Motorists often find themselves trapped in traffic during daily commutes or weekend peak hours, resulting not only in wasted time but also in energy consumption and safety risks. Recently, Nissan, through its Advanced Technology Center in Silicon Valley (NATC-SV), partnered with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and the University of California, Berkeley, to jointly advance the Cooperative Congestion Management (CCM) program. Real-world road testing has been conducted to verify its potential to improve traffic efficiency, enhance fuel economy, and strengthen driver safety.

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.

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, China is accelerating its push for self-reliance in automotive chips. According to a report by Nikkei Asia, major Chinese automakers—including SAIC Motor, Changan Automobile, Great Wall Motor, BYD, Li Auto, and Geely—are expected to begin rolling out vehicle models equipped with 100% domestically produced chips starting in 2026. At least two of these companies are already preparing for mass production, signaling a rapid deepening of integration between China’s automotive and semiconductor industries.

The Japanese government has recently announced a new subsidy program aimed at hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles, offering a subsidy of ¥700 (approximately NT$145) per kilogram of hydrogen. This move underscores the growing importance of hydrogen energy in the global clean energy transition, especially as it faces challenges such as high costs, infrastructure limitations, and technological maturity.

Rare earth metals play an indispensable role in modern automobiles. From the permanent magnets inside electric motors, to the sensor modules essential for ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), and even to the charging and energy management systems, rare earths are critical materials. However, since April this year, China, the dominant supplier of rare earths, has imposed export restrictions on several rare earth metals and related magnets. This move has quickly caused upheaval across global industries. Amid the rapid growth of electric vehicles, the tightening of rare earth supplies not only delays production schedules but also drives up overall costs, putting pressure on both pricing and delivery timelines.

In the fiercely competitive global electric vehicle (EV) market, Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, a subsidiary of Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), once again demonstrates its ambition for expansion. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japan's Mitsubishi Motors, aiming to launch an electric vehicle specifically designed for the Australian and New Zealand markets in the second half of 2026. This EV model will be designed and managed by Foxtron and manufactured in Taiwan by Yulon Motor. It will be sold under the Mitsubishi brand through an OEM agreement, representing a concrete realization of Foxconn’s MIH platform strategy successfully attracting global automakers.