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In the rapidly evolving world of automotive manufacturing, several significant developments have taken place.
John Lawler, vice chair of Ford Motor Company, has called on Brussels and Germany to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and lower costs to compete against Chinese rivals. Meanwhile, Ford is restructuring its debt-laden German arm, Ford-Werke, with €4.4 billion of new capital to address a €5.8 billion debt obtained amid Europe's challenging automotive market.
Elsewhere, Nissan's autonomous driving research seems to be taking a backseat as the company focuses on electrification and premium electric SUVs. As of mid-2025, Nissan’s autonomous driving research is not prominently featured in recent announcements, with their current focus largely on electrification and premium electric SUVs such as the new Nissan X-Trail e-POWER with e-4ORCE.
In comparison, the broader autonomous driving industry shows mixed progress. Many traditional automakers, including Nissan’s peers like Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, and Hyundai, have either scaled back ambitious autonomous vehicle timelines or remain cautious, recognizing the difficulty of deploying true full autonomy on public roads by 2030. Tesla’s so-called Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature remains more an advanced assistance system than full autonomy and faces regulatory challenges, notably in China.
Industry leaders outside traditional automakers, such as Pony.ai (partnered with Toyota) and Aurora Innovation, are targeting Level 4/5 autonomy with significant test miles and technical development but still face regulatory hurdles and market skepticism. Technology suppliers like Mobileye continue pioneering advanced driver-assistance and autonomous driving chips and software, with plans for new platforms entering series production from 2026 onward.
Nissan has seen some positive news, with their CEO Makoto Uchida stepping down from his position as part of a significant restructuring within the company's senior leadership team. Ivan Espinosa, currently the chief planning officer at Nissan, has been appointed as Uchida's successor. The restructuring is focused on achieving Nissan’s short and mid-term objectives, while positioning it for long-term growth.
Unfortunately, Northvolt, an EV battery manufacturer that once was Europe’s best hope for EV battery production, has filed for bankruptcy in Sweden. Northvolt had received backing from companies like Volkswagen, Goldman Sachs, and BlackRock, attracting over $15 billion of corporate and government investment. The reasons for Northvolt's bankruptcy include rising capital costs, geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions, market demand shifts, and production struggles.
In the EV market, Tesla's stock dropped by nearly half in three months, with the company's current valuation largely relying on projected robotaxi and robot development. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated his intention to double US production within two years, citing support for President Donald Trump's policies and confidence in the future of the United States.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen (VW) Group software subsidiary Cariad aims to cut 1,600 jobs by the end of the year, which is over 27% of its total workforce. The upcoming ID. Every1 hatchback by VW will be built in Portugal, with production scheduled to begin in 2027.
Porsche is planning to cut 4,000 jobs, representing a 10% reduction in its workforce, due to declining sales. Porsche has promised investors a 'comprehensive recalibration' of the business after profits slumped, and has expressed concerns about US trade tensions and growing domestic competition in China.
In a positive note, ZF has received a Germany-wide Level 4 test permit from the KBA to test autonomous driving in urban and regional public transport areas. Bridgestone and Michelin are testing puncture-free tyres, which could mean lower maintenance costs and reduced liability risk from autonomous driving accidents caused by punctures.
These developments highlight the dynamic nature of the automotive industry, with companies adapting to challenges and opportunities in the transition to electrification and autonomous driving.
[1] Source: Nissan's new X-Trail e-POWER with e-4ORCE [2] Source: Pony.ai and Aurora Innovation target Level 4/5 autonomy [3] Source: Autonomous vehicles: progress, challenges, and the road ahead [5] Source: Mobileye's plans for new autonomous driving platforms
- The financial health of traditional automakers like Ford and Nissan is being impacted by the transition to electric vehicles and the challenges in the autonomous driving industry, with Ford restructuring its debt-laden German arm and Nissan's CEO stepping down as part of a significant restructuring within the company's senior leadership team.
- While technology suppliers like Mobileye continue to develop advanced driver-assistance and autonomous driving chips and software, companies like Pony.ai and Aurora Innovation, which are industry leaders outside traditional automakers, are targeting Level 4/5 autonomy but still face regulatory hurdles and market skepticism, demonstrating the intersection of business, finance, and technology in the autonomous driving sector.
