Exclusive 36kr | Li Auto Overhauls Organizational Structure: Cutting Out Middle Layers, Vehicle and Smart Driving Product Teams Return to R&D System Image source: Visual China Text by | Xiao Man Editor | Li Qin, Yang Xuan After Li Xiang set the goal of "returning to the entrepreneurial state" last year, Li Auto was still streamlining its organization and processes. 36Kr Auto has learned from multiple informed sources that Li Auto is about to conduct a new round of organizational structure adjustment around the product decision - making process. It plans to split some key functions of the product department and integrate them into the R & D department. In terms of group relationships, the product department of Li Auto is led by Fan Haoyu and includes electric vehicle body, spatial intelligence, autonomous driving terminal products, interaction design, platform operation, App and official website, etc. People familiar with the adjustment trend told 36Kr Auto that the current adjustment mainly targets the core product definition teams such as electric vehicle body and autonomous driving. Specifically, it has been confirmed that the electric vehicle body definition team of the product department will be split and integrated into the vehicle R & D department led by Liu Liguo; the autonomous driving terminal product team will be merged into the base model R & D team led by Zhan Kun. "Maybe some product personnel related to user experience will also join Liu Jie's product line," said an informed source. People close to Li Auto's senior management analyzed to 36Kr that the decision - making process for vehicle product definition has been cumbersome and criticized within Li Auto for a long time. The core reason is that three core departments are involved in product decision - making: the product line department led by Liu Jie
Jul 3, 2026 · via eu.36kr.com
Back in April, Reuters reported that Anthropic was toying with the idea of producing its own AI chips as a means of responding to chip shortages. Now, it would appear that the company is getting serious about this idea. On Thursday, The Information reported that Anthropic was in contact with Samsung to explore a collaboration around the pending chip. However, Anthropic hasn’t yet decided what the chip will be used for, how it will fit into the server, or how powerful it will be, according to the report. When reached for comment, Anthropic told TechCrunch that a diversified hardware stack that includes chips from Google, Amazon, and Nvidia will continue to be pivotal to its compute strategy. On the topic of a potential Samsung partnership, the company said it had nothing further to add. A number of AI companies have sought to develop custom chips — both as a way to create unique hardware for specific compute tasks and to gain a certain amount of independence from Nvidia, which continues to be the undisputed leader of the chip industry. Anthropic’s announcement may also be a response to one made last week by its key competitor, OpenAI, which has teamed up with Broadcom to announce its own custom-built inference processor, dubbed “Jalapeño.” OpenAI says that the chip is more efficient, demonstrating better performance-per-watt, than other competitor chips. Amazon and Google both offer custom-built TPUs as part of their cloud offering. Samsung is already embedded in the AI industry, and acts as a major partner of Nvidia, producing chips that the company needs to train or run its AI models. In turn, Samsung uses Nvidia’s software to manufacture its chips. The duo are working on an AI chip factory in South Korea. Samsung has also discussed partnering with Google on its chip-making
Jul 3, 2026 · via techcrunch.com
Seattle-based Overland AI has landed a U.S. Marine Corps contract to produce autonomous ground vehicles, a milestone the defense-tech startup says makes it the first ground autonomy company to serve as the prime contractor on a military production deal. The nearly $20 million agreement — $19.7 million, according to the Department of War — calls for Overland to deliver more than a dozen autonomous ground vehicles, along with the software that runs them. Initial deliveries are expected to begin sometime in early 2027. The agreement was announced June 29. The vehicles will work with a Marine Corps system that shoots down enemy drones. Overland’s vehicles will initially handle resupply for those crews rather than replace any existing vehicles, co-founder and CEO Byron Boots said in a media briefing, as reported by trade publications DefenseScoop and Defense One. Boots is a University of Washington machine-learning professor who leads the school’s Robot Learning Laboratory and is the Amazon Professor of Machine Learning at the UW’s Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering. He co-founded Overland in 2022 with Stephanie Bonk, the company’s president, spinning it out of the UW. The company’s technology is designed to let military vehicles drive themselves across rough, off-road terrain in places where GPS isn’t available. Overland has grown to more than 100 employees and raised over $140 million in venture funding, including a $100 million round in February led by the venture firm 8VC. It opened a 22,000-square-foot production facility in Seattle last year, and ranks No. 9 on the GeekWire 200, our index of the top privately held Pacific Northwest tech companies. The company isn’t alone in chasing military ground autonomy. One of its rivals, Maryland-based Forterra, won a larger, $92 million Marine Corps production deal earlier in June — but as the autonomy supplier under
Jul 3, 2026 · via geekwire.com
NHTSA Plans on Removing Brake Pedals The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is officially planning to update the United States’ Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) so that select vehicles will no longer require brake pedals. This is part of the Transportation Department’s most recent effort to help deregulate automobiles in a way that could benefit autonomous vehicles. Frankly, the federal government has been extremely accommodating ever since the industry first started testing self-driving cars. Most of the early guidance for autonomous vehicles was pretty open ended, with only the FMVSS requirements standing in the way of what could be used on public roads. However, the industry has been pressuring regulators to ease up so they can produce more AVs without human controls. Officially, the government wants to modify FMVSS No. 135 — which pertains to the braking systems equipped to light vehicles. “We are at the cusp of the greatest technological revolution in vehicle technology since the innovation of the Model T,” stated NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison. “If we want America to lead the way, we have to reimagine our regulatory framework. That’s why under Secretary Sean Duffy’s AV Framework, NHTSA is tearing down pointless barriers to innovative designs while strengthening the fundamental safety requirements that matter and holding AV developers accountable for safe performance. This approach will ultimately reduce roadway crashes, prevent fatalities, and increase mobility.” This has been the corporate line for well over a decade now. The claim is that pivoting the world to self-driving vehicles will ultimately save countless lives. However, much like the claim that electric vehicle ownership would somehow save the environment, the public remains unconvinced. In fact, protesting self-driving test vehicles has become increasingly popular in regions where some of these companies have been operating on public roads. Drivers have likewise
Jul 3, 2026 · via thetruthaboutcars.com
The company also outlined a blueprint to cultivate the area as a global hub for advanced industries, focusing on future core component clusters, AI-driven manufacturing innovations, aerospace, and energy infrastructure. On July 3, Hyundai Motor Group signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with government agencies and local governments from Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam during the 'National Report Meeting on Advanced Industry Development in Yeongnam.' The investment will be directed toward establishing Yeongnam as a key center for AI-based future manufacturing and advanced mobility industries. The group plans to build an AI manufacturing hub, create future core component clusters, establish AI-based smart factories, and focus on the future aerospace and energy sectors. Ulsan will be transformed into a core base for AI-driven future mobility. Hyundai plans to establish the AI manufacturing hub around its electric vehicle (EV) plant in Ulsan, which is set to begin operations in the fourth quarter of this year, and will advance the development of AI-based autonomous vehicle technology with Level 4 capabilities or higher. In the hydrogen sector, Hyundai will establish a hydrogen fuel cell plant in Ulsan to produce next-generation hydrogen fuel cells and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, which the group aims to develop as key export items. The production bases for essential electrification components will also be concentrated in the Yeongnam region. By 2030, Hyundai Mobis will set up a battery system assembly line in Ulsan, a motor and controller production line in Daegu, and a thermal management system production line for electric vehicles in Changwon, Gyeongnam. Investment in the future aerospace sector will also be expanded. Hyundai will collaborate with the U.S. advanced air mobility (AAM) company Supernal to jointly develop next-generation aircraft in the Yeongnam region and will work on domestic production of key space technologies, including rocket engines
Jul 3, 2026 · via ajupress.com
Automotive Digital Mapping Market Summary Services are expanding at a CAGR of 15.1% as fleet operators and ride-hail platforms demand real-time map update subscriptions. ADAS applications represent the fastest-growing segment in the automotive digital mapping market at roughly 14.8% CAGR, driven by Euro NCAP and NHTSA mandates.— Arti Dhapte NY, CA, UNITED STATES, July 3, 2026 / EINPresswire.com/ -- The automotive digital mapping market reached an estimated USD 9.20 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 10.45 billion in 2026 to USD 32.95 billion by 2035, registering a compound annual growth rate of 13.6% over the forecast period. Automotive Digital Mapping Market Overview The automotive digital mapping market trends encompasses the development, distribution, and maintenance of digital map data specifically engineered for automotive applications. Unlike traditional GPS-based navigation systems, modern automotive digital maps integrate high-definition (HD) and real-time contextual data such as road geometry, lane-level detail, traffic signs, dynamic speed limits, and real-time traffic flow. These enriched datasets serve as the foundational intelligence layer for next-generation vehicle platforms, including advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous driving systems, and connected mobility services . Digital maps provide vehicles with a structured digital replica of the external driving environment, essential for both driver decision-making and automated control logic. The market is experiencing robust growth driven by the convergence of autonomous vehicle development, ADAS regulatory mandates, and the proliferation of connected vehicle ecosystems. The global autonomous vehicle market is projected to reach USD 65 billion, with over 1.6 million autonomous vehicles expected on roads, necessitating precise mapping solutions for effective operation . The European Union's Regulation (EU) 2022/1426 on automated driving systems mandates the integration of high-definition mapping and real-time data processing for autonomous vehicles, compelling manufacturers to ensure compliance for market access . Approximately 70% of new vehicles are now equipped
Jul 3, 2026 · via tech.einnews.com
For over 25 years, FCW has been the go-to source for news, information, and analysis.
Join our community of industry leaders and innovators.
Become a Member
|
Login
Hydrogen
EV
Investors
Research
Knowledge
Contact
Electric
Valeo Secures Contract for Next-Generation Radar Technology with North American OEM
By
FCW Team
July 3, 2026 at 9:31 AM EDT
Jul 3, 2026 · via fuelcellsworks.com
Waymo is laying the legal groundwork for its next phase of international expansion, with new corporate registrations in Spain and France adding to a growing European footprint that began taking shape just weeks ago. Public corporate records show the Alphabet-owned autonomous driving company has registered ‘Waymo Iberia SL’ in Spain and ‘Waymo France’ in Paris, following the creation of ‘Waymo Germany GmbH’ in June. The coordinated filings, first spotted by X user ‘RoadToAutonomy,’ suggest Waymo has started preparing for future operations across southern European countries. The latest moves come as Waymo continues to expand beyond the United States for the first time, following its previously announced plans for Tokyo and London. Waymo Registers Iberian Entity Official filings from Spain’s Registro Mercantil show ‘Waymo Iberia SL’ was incorporated through a notarial deed signed in Madrid on June 9, with the company entering the commercial registry on June 11. The entity carries the name “Iberia” rather than Spain, indicating it could ultimately oversee operations across both Spain and Portugal. No public details have yet emerged regarding its management, registered address or corporate purpose. Creating a dedicated legal entity is typically one of the earliest steps before establishing testing programmes, hiring local staff or launching commercial services. The timing is notable given Portugal’s new autonomous vehicle legislation. Beginning this month, Portugal’s Decreto-Lei n.º 113/2026 officially allows licensed autonomous vehicle testing on public roads for the first time under a dedicated legal framework. Previously, testing opportunities in the country were far more limited. France Registry Corporate records also show ‘Waymo France’ was registered in Paris on June 23 as a société à responsabilité limitée (SARL) with €100,000 in share capital. The company is headquartered at 95 Rue La Boétie in the 8th arrondissement. Unlike the Spanish filing, the French registration clearly outlines its intended
Jul 3, 2026 · via eletric-vehicles.com
Vehicle Tech Week Europe 2026 has come to a close at Messe Stuttgart, bringing together companies and technologies shaping the future of vehicle development across testing, autonomy, interiors, and mobility The event ran from 23-25 June and united three of the industry’s most established technology exhibitions under one platform: Automotive Testing Expo Europe, Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo Europe and Automotive Interiors Expo Europe. The event created an environment for senior OEMs, Tier 1s, suppliers, engineers, designers, software developers, validation specialists, policymakers, researchers, and technology leaders to come together, source solutions, strengthen relationships, and advance critical conversations. Audience indicators reflected a shift toward senior, high-intent engagement across the week: - Automotive Testing Expo Europe delivered a 143% year-on-year increase in VIP attendance, and Automotive Interiors Expo Europe delivered a 54% year-on-year increase in VIP attendance. - Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo Europe maintained a strong senior/VIP audience, with VIP attendance up 16% on both day one and day two year on year, alongside its specialist conference audience of delegates, speakers, moderators, OEMs, regulators and technology innovators. Jason Sullivan, group portfolio director, Vehicle Tech Week Europe, said, “Vehicle Tech Week Europe has been designed around a simple reality: vehicle development no longer happens in silos. Testing, autonomy, interiors, software, electronics and user experience are now deeply connected, and the industry needs a place where those communities can come together, compare ideas and make progress. “At a challenging moment for automotive, it has been incredibly encouraging to see the industry show up in Stuttgart with such focus and intent. The quality of OEM, VIP and senior-level engagement across the week demonstrates the continued importance of Vehicle Tech Week as a platform for practical innovation, commercial collaboration and the conversations that move future mobility from concept to deployment.” Julia Grab, chief strategist and planner, European
Jul 3, 2026 · via engineerlive.com
I can’t tell the exact tipping point from realistic excitement over a new technology, to hype, to aww-come-on — but I’m pretty sure when a sandwich shop with Danny DeVito as its public face talks about AI in its IPO documents, we must be getting close. So it is with Jersey Mike’s. Because of investor thirst for all things AI these days, I understand why tech companies feel the need to sprinkle AI dust all over their pitches. This is as true for non-AI startups raising venture capital as it is for Bending Spoons’ public debut, a company in the business of buying aging, “not-AI” tech companies to rehabilitate. Just for kicks, I took a look at Jersey Mike’s IPO documents to see how far this compulsion may go. Surely a sandwich shop would have no need to mention AI in its S-1. But lo and behold! The term artificial intelligence and its acronym “AI” were mentioned 22 times. In this case, the company can’t claim to be selling AI software. It sells submarine sandwiches. AI products are what investors are really hungering for (terrible pun intended). Still, it found a way to mention AI in its investor-risk warnings. That may be even more funny. It doesn’t explain what it’s using AI for that could be dangerous to investors, beyond a hand-wave of a phrase, “We are beginning to use AI Technologies in our business.” In all fairness, as a company that operates franchisees, it does rely on software (mentioned 52 times) and data (112 mentions), as all businesses do. Its AI risk warning was boilerplate copy, perhaps even necessary, as such disasters have already happened to other food businesses, like the half-baked AI inventory tool that Starbucks rolled out, which couldn’t count and was recently scrapped. Still, I’m going
Jul 3, 2026 · via techcrunch.com
Imenco Future Technologies Invests in Frontier Robotics Imenco Future Technologies, a leader in remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technology, announced it has taken a strategic investment stake in Frontier Robotics, a specialist developer of advanced subsea robotics technologies supporting its long-term innovation and growth strategy. The investment represents a step in Imenco’s Future Technologies commitment to advancing subsea capabilities, enhancing operational efficiency and accelerating the development of next-generation solutions for offshore energy, defense, and emerging blue economy sectors. Frontier Robotics has built a strong reputation for its pioneering work in subsea autonomy and perception technologies. Its technology roadmap is closely aligned with Imenco’s strategic focus on digitalization, automation, and increased ROV system performance in complex subsea environments. The partnership is expected to enable closer collaboration on product development, integration of complementary technologies, and faster commercialization of innovative solutions. Furthermore, it will also support joint exploration of emerging market opportunities where advanced ROV capabilities and intelligent systems are becoming increasingly critical. The investment underscores Imenco Future Technologies broader strategy of building an ecosystem of complementary technologies and partnerships to support the future of subsea operations. As the industry evolves toward more autonomous, data-driven and sustainable solutions, collaboration between established leaders and technology innovators is increasingly essential. Frontier Technologies will benefit from Imenco’s global reach, operational experience, and established customer base, providing a strong platform to scale its technologies and bring innovations to market more rapidly.
Jul 3, 2026 · via marinetechnologynews.com
You remember Tesla’s Cybercab, right? It’s the gold-colored Level 4 self-driving taxi that, stupidly, only seats two people. I still can’t get over that absurd design decision. Only two people? For a taxi? So a family of three would need two cabs? Ridiculous. But I guess the upside is that if something bad happens, only the smallest possible plural of people could be in danger. Which leads me to what I want to talk about now, the Tesla Robotaxi First Responder’s guides, which were released just recently. These guides reveal a lot of interesting details about Tesla’s automated-driving ridesharing program, not the least of which is clarification about nomenclature: the overall automated service is called Robotaxi, and can use either Model Ys or Cybercabs, and Cybercab just refers to that one particular model itself. That helps clear that up! So what can we learn from what’s in these First Responder guides? An awful lot, actually, so let’s take a look. First, we get this nice revealing block diagram of the Cybercab: Block Diagram There’s a lot to see here. The floor-mounted battery is the big orange rectangle, the high voltage lines are orange, and, interestingly, the low-voltage system is actually quite high voltage compared to most 12V low voltage systems: it’s 48 volts. Perhaps most notably is the confirmation that this is, in fact, Tesla’s first FWD car. I mean, look: Holy crap, that’s about as FWD as you can F a D, W-wise. This layout is also how the Cybercab can have such a colossal trunk: I mean, I still think the body design and packaging on the Cybercab is uniquely and powerfully stupid; a taxi that only seats two just seems like an inane decision. Have a family of three? You’re hiring two cabs, champ. Why did they
Jul 2, 2026 · via theautopian.com
Replacing people with AI doesn’t seem to be that easy to do, if Meta can be seen as an example. Reuters reports that at an internal town hall Thursday, CEO Mark Zuckerberg told staff that the pace of AI agent development had not “accelerated in the way” executives had previously expected them to. Earlier this year, Meta laid off some 8,000 employees — approximately 10% of its corporate workforce — and reassigned another 7,000 to various AI groups, including one called Agent Transformation, Bloomberg reported. During this week’s meeting, Zuckerberg apparently commented on these job cuts — noting that they were not as “clean” as they should have been. The cuts were made because top officials at the company “were worried that we weren’t going to move fast enough to adapt” to the changing landscape of the tech industry, Zuckerberg reportedly added. The corporate leader also apparently said that the perceived upside of the new AI-focused company structure hadn’t “come to fruition yet,” although he said that he believed the company would begin to see improvements from its AI investments during the next three to six months. Several other investigative reports have depicted Meta’s months-old AI unit as a soul-crushing gulag, according to some of the engineers assigned to it. Meta has invested heavily in AI and is expected to spend as much as $145 billion on AI infrastructure this year, Reuters reports. TechCrunch reached out to Meta for comment.
Jul 2, 2026 · via techcrunch.com
Unlock FREE Access to Premium Content
Get exclusive forecasts, analyst insights, EV/powertrain outlooks, and trend analysis—free with your profile.
With a free Just Auto profile, you can:
- Access locked analyst commentary
- View premium forecasts & data-driven insights
- Track EV, powertrain, and model trends
- Explore industry openings and track hiring trends
- Receive alerts when new premium content is published
Unlock free access
Already have an account? Login herePowered by
Jul 2, 2026 · via just-auto.com
JavaScript is disabled in your browser.
Please enable JavaScript to proceed.
A required part of this site couldn’t load. This may be due to a browser extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser.
Jul 2, 2026 · via mysanantonio.com
Quang Trung Software City, located in the city's Trung My Tay Ward, has recently approved the implementation of a controlled pilot of autonomous vehicle technology within its campus. The trial will run from July through September 2026. The pilot will be carried out by Vietnamese firm 365 Group Co., Ltd., using level-4 autonomous vehicles developed by VinBigdata, an artificial intelligence and big data subsidiary of Vingroup, Vietnam's largest private conglomerate. The vehicles, designed to operate without a human driver under predefined operating conditions, are gradually entering commercial use in markets around the world. The trial marks the first step toward establishing a regulatory sandbox for autonomous vehicle technology in Ho Chi Minh City. The trial includes a comprehensive pilot system comprising autonomous vehicles, an operations center, a remote monitoring system, a data collection and analytics platform, safety management mechanisms, and evaluation processes to support government regulators. Vehicle operations will be confined to a designated area within QTSC and monitored through multiple layers of oversight and remote control to ensure safety throughout the trial. The project will allow authorities and developers to evaluate the safety, operational performance and adaptability of level-4 autonomous vehicles under Ho Chi Minh City's real-world infrastructure and traffic conditions. It is also expected to further refine the technology, support technology transfer and commercialization, and help build a ‘made in Vietnam’ autonomous vehicle ecosystem. The controlled sandbox model reflects the city's proactive approach to promoting innovation by allowing businesses to develop and test emerging technologies within clearly defined regulatory and operating boundaries. The experience gained from the trial is expected to help regulators refine policies, regulatory mechanisms, and legal frameworks to keep pace with technological advances. In the longer term, the project is expected to provide valuable experience for expanding controlled sandbox mechanisms to other strategic technologies, helping
Jul 2, 2026 · via news.tuoitre.vn
Holon, the Germany-based manufacturer that says it plans to make a $100 million investment in Jacksonville, still intends to break ground on its manufacturing facility in 2026, show records provided to the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Those records also show that Holon received a one-year extension to the company’s economic development agreement with the city.
In October 2025, Holon and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority announced plans for the manufacturer to build a production facility at the Eastport Exchange industrial park at 10145 Eastport Road, where Holon would manufacture vehicles for JTA’s autonomous Ultimate Urban Circulator, or U2C, public transportation system and for other customers.
Read the rest of this story at the Jacksonville Daily Record, a Jacksonville Today news partner.
Jul 2, 2026 · via jaxtoday.org
Texas man charged with manslaughter in Tesla crash that killed a woman in her home: Sheriff Martha Avila, 76, was identified as the woman killed in the crash. A Texas man has been arrested on a manslaughter charge after his Tesla crashed into a home last month while he claimed it was in self-driving mode, killing a woman inside the residence, authorities said. The driver, Michael Butler, was arrested on Wednesday and booked at the Harris County Jail, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. Butler remained in custody on Thursday following a court hearing in which a magistrate set his bond at $150,000, according to jail records. He did not enter a plea. Butler's next court hearing is scheduled for Monday. The fatal crash allegedly involving Butler unfolded on June 19 in the Houston suburb of Katy, Texas, according to the sheriff's office. Butler was traveling in his Tesla Model 3 around 8 p.m. local time and claimed the vehicle was operating "with an automated driving assistance system," the Harris County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. Butler allegedly failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway and crashed through the front of a two-story brick residence, according to the sheriff's office. Butler's car allegedly drove into the front room of the home, pinning 76-year-old Martha Avila, the sheriff's office said. Avila was airlifted to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead, the sheriff's office said. Investigators said Butler, who was injured, showed no signs of intoxication and was cooperating with investigators. It was unclear on Thursday if Butler had hired an attorney. Avila's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit last month in Harris County District Court seeking at least $1 million in damages and alleging Tesla and Butler were negligent. "They're not eager to either blame
Jul 2, 2026 · via abcnews.com
The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, A2RL, has announced its international racing debut will take place on September 5, 2026, in Imola, Italy, with up to five fully autonomous race cars based on the Dallara Super Formula SF23. Organized by ASPIRE, the grand challenges arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council, A2RL has evolved from a bold public testbed for AI under extreme race conditions into a competitive racing series. Reigning A2RL champion TUM (Germany) will compete alongside Unimore Racing (Italy) and PoliMOVE (Italy) at the iconic racetrack in Imola, having qualified through their performances during the 2025 season. Two additional teams, Kinetiz (UAE) and Constructor Racing (Germany), will compete in qualification events ahead of race weekend for the remaining spots on the grid. Faisal Al Bannai, secretary general of the Advanced Technology Research Council, said, “A2RL began in Abu Dhabi with a clear conviction: the future of mobility must be tested openly, rigorously and at the limits of performance. Its international debut at Imola demonstrates how the UAE is translating bold R&D ambition into globally relevant technology platforms that can accelerate progress in autonomous mobility.” Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, added, “Taking A2RL to Imola is a major milestone in our ambition to build the world’s first international championship for fully autonomous racecars. Few circuits carry the heritage and global standing of Imola, making it a powerful stage for our first international race. This is an important step for autonomous motorsport as both a technology platform and an emerging global sporting format.” Building on two seasons in Abu Dhabi, A2RL has evolved from a world-first four-car autonomous race into a six-car Grand Final featuring wheel-to-wheel racing at speeds of more than 250km/h. The league has also become a defining platform for human vs AI competition, with the performance
Jul 2, 2026 · via pmw-magazine.com
Elon Musk’s Tesla shocks Wall Street with record sales — but shares still tumble See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on GoogleTesla blew past Wall Street estimates for second-quarter deliveries on Thursday, posting a record for the period as recovering demand in Europe outweighed persistent weakness in North America. The strong figures suggest Tesla’s mainstay auto business is regaining momentum after two straight annual sales declines, providing the spending cushion needed to power its ambitions in autonomous driving and artificial intelligence — the main drivers of the company’s roughly $1.6 trillion valuation. Tesla expects to spend more than $25 billion on capital expenditure in 2026, nearly triple the $8.5 billion last year, to expand AI infrastructure, battery production, Cybercab manufacturing and Optimus robots. “I think the huge growth in Europe is the key driver for Tesla right now. US sales still appear to be down, albeit less than the broader US EV decline, while China is seeing small growth,” said Seth Goldstein, senior equity analyst at Morningstar. Tesla’s recovery in Europe was aided by government EV incentives, faster electrification of corporate fleets, higher fuel prices and an easing of the consumer backlash over CEO Elon Musk’s far-right politics last year. The company delivered 480,126 vehicles in the April-June period, a record for the second quarter and up about 25% from a year earlier, easily surpassing analysts’ average estimate of 402,776 vehicles, according to Visible Alpha data. Tesla produced 451,758 vehicles during the quarter. The deliveries exceeded production by more than 28,000 vehicles, leading the company to draw down inventory that it built up during the first quarter. The company’s China-made EV sales have risen this year, helped by production of the refreshed Model Y, despite intense competition from BYD and other domestic
Jul 2, 2026 · via nypost.com