For this in-depth research on the Top Automotive Trends & Startups, we analyzed a sample of 6000+ global startups & scaleups. However, automotive executives need help as they focus on new technology that meets consumer and regulatory demands. This has led to a shift away from traditional automotive infrastructure, which focused on powertrains, interiors, electrical systems, and safety systems.
Launching of fuel cell EVs
Google and Ford recently announced a connected car partnership called Team Upshift. This type of vehicle is defined by its ability to communicate with other software systems and collect data from its surroundings. And TuSimple is hoping to begin selling completely autonomous Level 4 trucks to fleet operators in 2024. In addition, more than half of all vehicles are expected to fall into the Level 1-5 range in 2024. There are already over 30 million vehicles on the road that meet the Level 1 standard.
b. Regulatory and Legal Challenges
For the eighth time, we asked managers and decision-makers in the automotive industry which trends and developments they are currently focusing on. The automotive industry report of the Future Readiness Monitor 2025 provides differentiated insights into strategies, challenges and fields of action in the industry. The trends in automobile industry and startups outlined in this report only scratch the surface of automotive innovations that we identified during our in-depth research. Identifying new opportunities and emerging technologies to implement into your business early on goes a long way in gaining a competitive advantage. Get in touch to easily and exhaustively scout relevant technologies & startups that matter to you. Operating from Germany and the US, EcoG is a startup offering an IoT-based operating system and platform for EV charging.
What is the future of the automotive industry?
Automotive suppliers are renegotiating their vendor/supplier contracts to align with these new predictions. What lies ahead is not just a continuation of trends but the potential for transformation that pushes the boundaries of how we move, connect, and thrive. The recently proposed 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, while temporarily delayed, may also have a drastic impact on the global automotive supply chain. 2025 is shaping up to be an interesting year for automotive with regards to global shifts in the market with a mixed bag of potential harmony and disruption. This agreement is expected to drastically enhance automotive trade between these regions.
- By leveraging these factors, Statevolt is positioning itself to meet the rising demand for EV batteries in an increasingly competitive market.
- More driverless journeys will occur as technology continues to be enhanced and refined.
- The market reflects its role in meeting strict safety rules and consumer demand for smarter vehicles.
- For instance, Qualcomm states that C-V2X allows vehicles to communicate with other vehicles, with infrastructure (V2I), and with vulnerable road users.
- AI, automation, and an ‘electric-first’ mindset are impacting every industry, and automotive is no exception.
- Due to the pandemic, the automotive sector is undoubtedly facing one of the most challenging periods and a massive slowdown for the last couple of years.
Driverless Vehicles- The Future of Connected Cars
Internet of Things (IoT) and real-time monitoring solutions improve shipment tracking, warehouse oversight, and production visibility. In addition, it offers charging solutions for e-bikes, including wallboxes and mass-charging systems for hotels and public spaces, thereby broadening access to sustainable transport. Czech Republic-based startup IONT tech manufactures EV charging stations that support home, business, and public use.
Cube Intelligence builds Blockchains for Autonomous Vehicles
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that V2X addresses up to 80% of crashes involving non-impaired drivers. Moreover, economic efficiency improves adoption, as autonomous vehicles reduce transport costs by up to 40% and maximize logistics utilization. Swedish startup Intended Future utilizes data-driven design benchmarking tools for the automotive industry. Probably the most important trend in the automotive industry is the worldwide shift to electric vehicles (EVs).
Nissans to Look For at Tokyo Auto Salon
Additionally, the onboard speed recorder limits the speed to discourage dangerous driving behaviors. Connected vehicles are fostering new business models centered on shared mobility, offering an alternative to traditional vehicle ownership. This shift supports mobility-as-a-service (MaaS), reducing the number of idle vehicles and addressing urban transportation needs without adding more cars. German startup ChargeX offers a modular EV charging solution that converts parking spaces into charging stations. The startup’s platform, Aqueduct, is easy to install, has 4 charging modules with up to 22kW, provides monthly reports, and uses a Typ2 charging cable.
What are the Current Trends in Automotive Industry ( ?
Front-facing LiDAR scans the road to detect objects, track pedestrians, and respond to traffic to enhance safety. The startup uses automotive sensors and compute platforms to offer a scalable solution for cars to enable large-scale fleet learning. German startup SafeAD develops a vision-first perception and scene-understanding pipeline for autonomous driving. The charging infrastructure is more vulnerable as a result of the quick uptake of EVs, which hackers may attack to obtain customer information or interfere with services.
🔒 Data Privacy Concerns and Ethical Use of Vehicle Data
In these regions, shared mobility options like vans, minibuses, and two- and three-wheelers are more common and often electrified due to their affordability. In India, for example, electric car sales rose by 70%, driven by government incentives and new models, though future growth may be impacted if it sees subsidy reductions. The automotive manufacturing industry is evolving rapidly as manufacturers respond to technological advancements, consumer preferences, and regulatory changes. Several leading OEMs have already announced plans to adopt the chipset for their automotive solutions, including BYD, Nuro, XPENG, Volvo and Zeekr. Contact us today to make critical data-driven decisions, prompting accelerated business expansion and breakthrough performance. With customers becoming more demanding, rules and regulations are becoming stricter, and competition is stronger and faster.
b. Charging Infrastructure Expansion
Governments worldwide are imposing stricter emissions standards and incentivizing zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). This pushes automakers to invest heavily in electric drivetrains, recycled materials, and circular economy practices. Consumers increasingly demand eco-friendly options, influencing market offerings. Expect more biodegradable components, renewable energy-powered factories, and battery recycling programs. The trend is irreversible and will accelerate innovation while challenging legacy ICE-dependent supply chains.
Predictive maintenance powered by AI minimizes machine failures, while IoT networks provide detailed insights into factory operations. These practices not only meet regulatory demands but also resonate with consumers increasingly drawn to environmentally responsible brands. Toyota’s North Carolina battery plant exemplifies this commitment, with operations fully powered by renewables. Recycling initiatives, such as reusing EV batteries, further emphasize the industry’s shift toward circular manufacturing. European manufacturers are leading the charge with plans for affordable EV models, such as Citroën and Renault. These budget-friendly models aim to stimulate adoption following a dip in EV sales.
- Daymak will assemble Avvenire’s vehicles and distribute them through its network of over 200 dealers in 25 countries.
- Dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) based on IEEE 802.11p facilitates direct vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication.
- While fully autonomous vehicles have the potential to revolutionise how society moves from A to B, the industry is taking a more measured approach to implementation.
- As battery technology and charging infrastructure progress, EVs lead the push toward sustainability.
Meanwhile, Carlos Tarves, CEO of automaker Stellantis, has said the chip shortages will continue to plague his industry next year. Self-driving taxis are already available in parts of China and several US cities. More driverless journeys will occur as technology continues to be enhanced and refined. Global passenger EV sales grew 60% from 6.5 million units in 2021 to 10.5 million in 2022. EV sales are going to increase aggressively in 2025, providing a bright spot in the automotive industry.
More automakers collaborating with tech companies
The high prices and increasing interest rates are causing sales to decline for dealers and automakers nationwide. Prices are expected to decrease as supply-chain issues improve, and sales continue to soften. However, interest rates may remain high as the Federal Reserve works to lower inflation. In October 2022, the delivery lead time for chips decreased by six days to 25.5 weeks, the most significant drop since 2016. Approximately 70 percent of industrial companies report faster chip supply, possibly due to weakened consumer spending and demand. These constraints are expected to persist into 2025, as semiconductor production has exceeded full production-rate utilization since 2019, with recent rates surpassing 95%.
Many auto manufacturers are considering integrating in-car payments to ease refueling, paying for parking or tolls, and even grocery shopping. Autonomous driving technologies like AD and ADAS are only possible to implement with the adoption of AI. Driver assistance technology, in particular, can go as far as detecting driver fatigue by monitoring their eyes and taking measures to avoid car accidents. The systems that come together to implement such technologies are sensor fusion, computer vision, and real-time decisions to enable the vehicle to take all complex traffic scenarios easily. Significant investments in AI and Internet of Things (IoT) devices are crucial for fine-tuning self-driving algorithms, making them safer and more reliable.
- These technologies enhance safety, efficiency, and user experience across vehicles.
- Specific components like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) power devices are expected to see growth, offering up to 60% improved efficiency over traditional silicon components.
- Exciting developments in energy storage and green hydrogen technologies promise to redefine production processes further.
- Ultra-fast charging infrastructure minimizes downtime by offering hundreds of kilometers of range in just minutes.
- This innovative, circular production approach supports sustainability goals by reducing landfill waste and advancing circular economy practices in automotive manufacturing.
- The massive rotation in the global vehicle fleet is predicted to take place in the 2030s.
- To accommodate the rising demand for EVs and autonomous vehicles, major automakers such as BMW, Hyundai, and Stellantis are investing in EV battery plants and semiconductor-related facilities.
- This regulatory clarity will pave the way for broader AV adoption in cities, particularly in controlled environments like urban areas or designated autonomous vehicle lanes.
- According to this regulation, starting from 2024, the following features become compulsory.
It also enables customers to schedule and monitor charging activity for improved efficiency. Australian startup V2Grid designs V2G technology that converts EVs into mobile energy resources for homes, businesses, and the national grid. Its bidirectional charging system enables EV batteries to both draw electricity and feed surplus power back, which balances demand during peak hours and reduces strain on infrastructure. In Europe, agriculture logistics and vehicle fleets the new General Safety Regulation II (from July 2024) and related standards embed connectivity, advanced sensors, and cybersecurity requirements into safety compliance frameworks. This increases the regulatory push toward connected and safety-enhanced vehicles.
Ascent Labs builds Risk Management Platform
According to a study completed by INRIX Transportation, Honolulu, New Orleans, and Nashville are the three US cities that stand to gain the most from micromobility vehicles. Tesla reportedly rewrote the software it uses in its vehicles so they could run on a different type of chip. However, the demand for parts is also being diminished by the increasing quality of newly manufactured vehicle parts. In addition, the ecommerce automotive aftermarket market is worth an estimated $85.28 billion. The company already has 50 Level 4 autonomous trucks operating in the Southwestern United States. One of the most promising companies in the autonomous trucking ecosystem is TuSimple.
Moreover, the startup leverages patented research and extensive radar expertise to deliver dependable detection in densely populated settings. Radar Reticence strengthens sensor fusion by supplying interference-free radar data that enhances vehicle perception and improves safety. LiDAR provides high-resolution 3D mapping that allows vehicles to detect road geometry, obstacles, and pedestrians with centimeter-level accuracy.
Its vehicle control system processes passenger comfort thresholds related to acceleration, deceleration, and jerk rate. It then adjusts driving decisions to minimize motion sickness and maintain smooth operation. The global automotive sensor fusion market is projected to reach USD 3.3 billion by 2030 at a 42.4% CAGR.