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TechCrunch Mobility Update: Heading to SXSW

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The TechCrunch transportation team – consisting of myself and senior reporter Rebecca Bellan – are embarking on a trip. Our destination is SXSW, the yearly conference in Austin dedicated to technology, music, film, and culture.

Both of us are scheduled to participate in panel discussions. If you plan to attend SXSW, we encourage you to come by and introduce yourselves.

SXSW Coverage and Key Events

We will be diligently monitoring transportation-related announcements originating from the event. This includes the onstage interview with Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe.

Furthermore, I will be actively searching for Waymo robotaxis within the city, which can currently only be accessed through the Uber application.

Panel Discussion Details

Our SXSW panel schedule features a March 11th conversation with Dara Treseder, the chief marketing officer of Autodesk. Additionally, San Jose mayor Matt Mahan will be discussing the transformation of urban environments.

On March 12th, Rebecca will be engaging with executives from GM, Dolby, and Google to explore the topic of in-car entertainment.

I will be interviewing Adam Woodworth, CEO of Wing, Warren Moore, VP of dedicated delivery at Walmart, and Clinton Purtell, a professor from the University of North Texas, regarding the future of drone delivery services.

Impact of Trump Administration Tariffs

Before proceeding with the rest of the news, it’s important to address the tariffs implemented by the Trump administration and their anticipated disruption of the automotive sector.

We will continue to track the unfolding developments of this policy, including President Trump’s recent decision to postpone tariffs on automobile imports from Canada and Mexico for a period of one month.

This delay followed requests from executives at the Big Three automakers. However, a condition has been set: the administration anticipates that GM, Ford, and Stellantis will relocate any offshore operations back to the United States by April 2nd.

It is my assessment that this expectation is unlikely to be met.

Volkswagen's Affordable EV and Rivian's Role

Recent disclosures from Volkswagen regarding its most affordable electric vehicle prompted speculation about its underlying software. Information received from a source has now confirmed these initial suspicions.

The ID EVERY1, Volkswagen’s forthcoming budget-friendly EV – a compact, four-door hatchback unveiled this week – will be the inaugural model to utilize software and architectural components originating from Rivian.

Production of this vehicle is slated for 2027, with an anticipated starting price of 20,000 euros (approximately $21,500). It represents the first application of Rivian’s vehicle platform and software, stemming from a $5.8 billion collaborative agreement established last year between the German automotive manufacturer and the American EV producer.

Conversely, another cost-effective EV, the ID.2all, planned for release in 2026, will be founded upon the E3 1.1 architecture and software engineered by Volkswagen’s internal software division, Cariad, as indicated by our source.

Contact Information

Do you have information to share? You can reach Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07.

Alternatively, contact Sean O’Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com, or Rebecca Bellan at rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com.

Detailed instructions for secure communication via encrypted messaging applications or SecureDrop are available here.

Current Deals in the Automotive Tech Space

A significant financial maneuver is underway involving Didi, the Chinese ride-hailing company. They are actively seeking additional capital for their autonomous vehicle technology division, potentially reaching a valuation of $5 billion.

Established in 2020, Didi Autonomous Driving has already secured $1.55 billion in funding. Reports from Bloomberg indicate the unit is currently engaging with investors, including a Beijing-based fund, to explore further investment opportunities, aiming to raise several hundred million dollars.

Furthermore, BYD, a prominent Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, successfully completed a primary share sale, generating $5.6 billion. The offering involved the sale of 129.8 million shares, exceeding initial expectations.

Notable Deals Worth Highlighting…

AiDEN Auto, a startup specializing in connected vehicle technology and data privacy, has secured $4.2 million in seed funding. Nuri Venture Partners spearheaded the round, with participation from If Insurance, Tengro Ventures, and others.

To date, the San Francisco-based company, founded by former Volvo engineers, has raised a total of $6.1 million. This funding will support their ongoing development efforts.

In a separate development, Anthony Aquila, the CEO of Canoo, is in the process of acquiring substantially all of the assets from the bankrupt EV startup for a sum of $4 million.

CaPow, a company focused on in-motion electric charging solutions for robotic fleets, has raised $15 million in a Series A funding round. Toyota Ventures led the investment, with contributions from Elements VC, IL Ventures, and others.

The California Clean Mobility Options Voucher Program has distributed $33 million in awards. These funds are designated to address transportation inequities and mitigate air pollution, supporting initiatives like electric school buses and e-bikes.

Recent Developments and Industry Insights

Advancements in Autonomous Vehicle Technology

Avride has established a new collaborative venture with Hyundai, focusing on the joint development of autonomous vehicle solutions. This partnership centers on AV technology specifically engineered for robotaxi applications. Furthermore, Avride is actively increasing the number of Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicles within its fleet.

These vehicles will be seamlessly integrated with the company’s advanced self-driving system. It’s worth noting that Waymo and Hyundai also maintain a pre-existing collaborative agreement in this domain.

Politecnico di Milano achieved a groundbreaking autonomous speed record during the Indy Autonomous Challenge. Utilizing a Maserati MC20 Coupe, the vehicle attained a speed of 197.7 mph.

A recent conversation with Sachin Kansal, CPO at Uber, explored his career trajectory within the ride-hailing company and his recent promotion in October. The integration of autonomous vehicles, leveraging Uber’s 14 existing partnerships (with potential for further expansion), represents a key challenge for the new chief product officer.

The “Waymo on Uber” robotaxi service is now operational in Austin, Texas. Uber users in Austin are now presented with the option of selecting either a Waymo robotaxi or a traditional ride with a human driver. Waymo is currently completing over 200,000 paid robotaxi rides each week.

Updates in Electric Vehicles, Charging Infrastructure, and Battery Technology

Andreessen Horowitz co-founder Ben Horowitz has donated a fleet of Tesla Cybertrucks to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. This act continues his pattern of providing technological gifts to the department.

Volvo has introduced the ES90 sedan, marking the company’s first mass-produced electric vehicle with an estimated range of 435 miles based on Europe’s WLTP testing standard. Notably, this Volvo model incorporates Luminar’s Iris lidar, integrated into the vehicle’s roofline.

Developments in the Ride-Hailing Sector

Tesla has submitted an application to the California Public Utilities Commission for a permit to operate a transportation service within the state. It is crucial to understand that Tesla’s application for a transportation charter-party carrier permit differs from those held by ride-hailing companies like Lyft and Uber.

A TCP permit signifies that the company – in this instance, Tesla – will own the vehicles and employ drivers. This permit also serves as a necessary preliminary step should Tesla intend to eventually launch a robotaxi service in California.

Uber is currently testing its Uber for Teens service, designed for teenage users, in India. The service is presently available in Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, and Mumbai. The company intends to broaden the service’s reach in the coming weeks to encompass 35 additional cities, including Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune.

Current Vehicle Evaluations

No new vehicles are currently undergoing testing this week. However, please check back for future updates.

The “Current Vehicle Evaluations” segment provides insights into the various transportation technologies being assessed. This includes electric and hybrid automobiles, e-bikes, and experiences with autonomous vehicles.

About This Feature

This ongoing series offers a glimpse into our product testing process. We examine a diverse range of transportation options.

Our evaluations cover everything from traditional cars to cutting-edge, self-driving technology.

• We assess both electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.
• E-bikes are also included in our testing program.
• Experiences within autonomous vehicles are documented.

Regular updates will be provided as new tests are completed and results become available. Stay informed about the latest advancements in transportation.