Tesla is currently testing its Robotaxis in Texas and is planning to extend services to the San Francisco Bay Area, drawing significant industry attention. TrendForce reports the U.S. Robotaxi market will be dominated by Tesla and Waymo, with the market size expected to reach US$36.5 billion by 2035. Meanwhile, China’s Robotaxi sector is also booming, with a well-established supply chain driving a rapid decline in hardware costs.
Recent reports from China’s supply chain indicate that Tesla may be halting production of its humanoid robot, Optimus. TrendForce reports that Tesla currently faces two major challenges: limited battery life and difficulties with hardware-software integration. While improvements in motion planning and energy optimization through AI could help address battery performance, fundamental bottlenecks remain—particularly in the efficiency of core hardware components such as joint motors and transmission systems.
TrendForce’s latest reports reveal that global NEV sales—including BEVs, PHEVs, and FCEVs—reached 4.02 million units in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 39% YoY increase. NEVs accounted for 18.4% of total global auto sales for the quarter.
Mitsubishi Motors has signed a MOU with Foxconn subsidiary Foxtron Vehicle Technologies to supply EVs for the Australian and New Zealand markets starting in 2026. TrendForce reports that this move not only marks a concrete step in Mitsubishi’s electrification roadmap but also represents a strategic pivot in response to rapid market changes. For Foxconn, having its contract design and manufacturing service (CDMS) model recognized by a global automaker is a milestone with far-reaching implications for future business expansion.
TrendForce’s latest “Human-Machine Technology Report” points out that although the 90-day delay on the U.S. reciprocal tariffs announced by the Trump administration in early April 2025 offers temporary relief, it has already triggered lasting shifts in global manufacturing and supply chain strategies. The post-pandemic landscape and geopolitical tensions had already prompted a move away from long, global supply chains toward shorter, regionalized models. The added uncertainty of tariffs is now forcing companies to reassess manufacturing footprints and supply risks as they accelerate the search for resilient strategies.