German Automakers Compete with Chinese Counterparts at IAA Mobility Conference as Volkswagen, Mercedes, and BMW Unveil New Electric Vehicles
In this edition, we delve into the latest developments in the world of transportation, as key players showcase their innovative vehicles at the biennial IAA Mobility conference in Munich. The event serves as a reminder that Germany remains competitive in the global automotive market, particularly in the electric vehicle sector.
VW Group, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW unveiled numerous new models, including electric ones, with executives emphasizing their commitment to China, a region where VW has historically lagged in electric vehicles. Meanwhile, Chinese automakers continue to gain traction in Europe, causing German manufacturers to intensify efforts to preserve and expand market share.
One notable announcement at the conference was Rimac Technology’s development of solid-state battery packs, expected to become available by late 2027. These batteries are said to offer high energy density and rapid charging capabilities, promising significant advancements in electric vehicle technology.
Hyundai has reportedly invested an additional $452 million into Motional, its joint venture with Aptiv, this year, with another tranche planned for next year. The investment aims to support the development of autonomous driving technologies, as Hyundai looks to strengthen its position in this burgeoning market.
Two new hires have joined General Motors – Sony Mohapatra from Cruise and Paul Menson from Tesla. Mohapatra will lead AI and machine learning engineering efforts, while Menson will focus on energy storage systems business development.
Via Technologies, known for its Citymapper mobile navigation app, made its IPO debut earlier this week, selling 10.7 million shares at $46 per share and raising a total of $492.9 million at a valuation of $3.7 billion. The company’s shares began trading shortly after the newsletter was published.
Other notable developments include:
– Arc Boats, a hybrid-electric tugboat startup, securing a $160 million contract with Curtin Maritime for new vessels expected to be operational by 2027.
– LeydenJar, a Dutch battery materials company, raising €13 million ($15.2 million) in a round led by Extantia and Invest-NL.
– Standard Fleet, a fleet management software company, securing $13 million in Series A funding led by Nova Threshold with participation from WEX Venture Capital, SNR, Garry Tan (CEO of Y Combinator), Salil Deshpande (Uncorrelated Ventures), and Apoorv Bhargava (WeaveGrid).
– The Federal Aviation Administration launching a pilot program for eVTOL startups to test operations before receiving full regulatory certification.
In other news, Supernal, Hyundai’s electric air taxi startup, has faced challenges, with staff cuts and executive departures in recent months. InDrive, the Mountain View-based ride-hailing startup, aims to become a global super app, while Nevada’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating a Boring Company employee injury incident at one of its construction sites.
Tesla has received permission to test autonomous vehicle technology on public roads in Nevada, and Uber faces a lawsuit from the US Justice Department for allegedly discriminating against people with disabilities. The 2025 TechCrunch Disrupt event will feature key figures from the transportation industry, including Wayve co-founder Alex Kendall, Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana, and Flexport founder Ryan Petersen.
Tickets for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, taking place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco from October 27 to 29, are now available for purchase. Additionally, keep an eye out for the Startup Battlefield 200, a list showcasing an impressive selection of startups that will be exhibiting and presenting on the main stage.
