Qualcomm accelerates connected car revolution with AI and autonomous driving breakthroughs

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for pragmatic trade strategies and flexible automotive regulations at the IAA Mobility trade show, highlighting the sector’s critical role amid rising tariffs and global market shifts.At the recent IAA Mobility trade show in Munich, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made a pretty clear statement against protectionist policies and tariffs. He pointed out how these measures generally have a broad negative effect on global trade—especially in the automotive sector. Merz emphasized that innovation needs to be the main strategy for staying competitive as challenges from China and the US continue to grow. It’s worth noting that he highlighted just how vital the automotive industry is to Germany’s economy. He made it clear that without this sector, the country could face pretty serious economic decline. His speech also illustrated Germany’s stiff opposition to rising trade barriers, like the 15% tariffs that the US has slapped on European imports—which he called damaging for both sides. This position of Merz's really echoes wider worries expressed by industry folks at the event. European automakers are already feeling squeezed with rising costs tied to electrification, and the global market is shifting rapidly. Chinese carmakers, like BYD, Changan, and GAC, are expanding their footprint in Europe—almost doubling their market share to about 4.8% by mid-2025—which adds extra pressure on European brands that are already trying to adapt. Interestingly enough, Merz also urged the European Union (EU) to pursue a more flexible, pragmatic approach to electric mobility, pushing for rules that support sustainability but don’t crush innovation. This fits with lots of industry concerns about the EU's planned ban on internal combustion engine sales by 2035. Some industry leaders, like BMW’s CEO Oliver Zipse, have called that plan ill-advised, especially given current market realities and tech development. Merz’s criticism of tariffs and stiff regulations isn’t just talk. It goes along with his broader effort to keep Germany’s automotive sector safe from unfavorable trade policies. He was quite vocal about the recent EU-US trade deal, which still includes a 15% tariff on European cars exported to the US. That’s a step back from the initial threat of 30% tariffs, but it’s still a hindrance—especially for exporters. These tariffs just pile on top of the challenges the industry already faces, like declining demand in China and slower-than-expected growth in electric vehicle sales. He also announced plans to hold a high-level summit with key industry players—OEMs and suppliers included—in the next four to six weeks. It signals he’s serious about tackling these issues proactively and protecting Germany’s automotive future. That said, Merz’s approach hasn’t been universally praised. Some folks within and outside the EU called his hopes for an exemption for German automakers from US tariffs a bit unrealistic, especially given the protectionist mood evident in recent US trade moves. Negotiations are complicated, and there are threats of even higher US tariffs if a deal doesn’t happen, not to mention the EU’s plans to retaliate with tariffs of its own. So, it’s really a tightrope walk between defending Germany’s industrial interests and managing broader diplomatic and trade relations. And let’s not forget, Germany’s auto industry contributes around 5% to the country’s GDP—so, you see, it’s a pretty significant piece of the economic puzzle. On top of that, Merz voiced opposition to some strict EU regulatory proposals—like mandates that would require rental companies and large firms to buy only electric vehicles by 2030. He argued such policies could lead to an early and potentially damaging transition before EV tech is fully ready for mass adoption. Instead, he’s advocating for more flexible, technology-neutral policies that reflect real market and technological developments—probably a wise approach, given how fast the EV scene is shifting. All in all, Merz’s address at the IAA Mobility truly encapsulates Germany’s delicate balancing act amid a turbulent global automotive environment. His call for innovation, adaptable regulation, and more industry dialogue shows a clear understanding of the tough challenges faced from China and the US, the rapid push towards electric vehicles, and the importance of keeping Germany’s famed automotive industry competitive under increasingly complex global trade pressures. Honestly, it’s going to be interesting to see how these strategies develop over the next few months. Source: Noah Wire Services

As Germany’s auto giants advocate for regulatory flexibility and technological openness, industry leaders remain divided over the EU’s 2035 combustion engine ban, spotlighting challenges and opportunities in Europe's shift to green mobility.Germany’s auto industry is currently at a pretty crucial crossroads. It’s dealing with the looming EU rules that plan to phase out combustion engine vehicles by 2035. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has thrown his support behind the German auto sector’s plea for more regulatory flexibility. He’s advocating for a “technology openness” approach—basically, leaving room for hybrid vehicles and other non-zero emission options to stay on the shelves past the 2035 cutoff date. During his speech at the IAA Munich auto show, Merz didn’t explicitly call for delaying the ban, but he emphasized that Germany should aim to lead—rather than lag behind—in the shift to electric mobility. He warned that overly tight regulations might hinder progress and hurt the competitiveness of the industry. His position isn’t just alone; it reflects a bigger debate happening across Europe’s automotive scene. Established carmakers are under immense pressure from many directions. They’re facing squeezed profits due to weak demand in their home markets. Plus, the global scene is getting more competitive, especially with aggressive, inexpensive EV offerings from China, industry watchers say. Leading brands like Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Renault are increasingly prioritizing cost-cutting, speeding up electric vehicle development, and launching hundreds of new EV models by 2032. But it’s not all smooth sailing—external challenges like rising U.S. tariffs are also impacting profits and efficiency. Now, that call for “technology openness,” championed by Merz, echoes what industry leaders like BMW’s Oliver Zipse have been saying. Zipse, for example, calls the EU’s 2035 combustion engine ban a “big mistake.” He points out that focusing solely on tailpipe emissions misses the bigger picture—battery manufacturing and fuel supply chains also contribute to carbon footprints. He supports climate policies that account for these complexities and argues that post-2035, we should still promote climate-friendly fuels. He even believes major upstream producers—like global oil giants—should be held accountable for emissions reductions. That’s why the German government’s plan to hold a summit with auto industry stakeholders soon becomes so important. It’s a clear sign that aligning industrial strategy with new environmental goals, all while keeping the industry healthy economically, is an urgent task. But it’s not just passenger cars that face hurdles. In heavy-duty trucks, for example, a recent report shows many European truck manufacturers are hitting the EU’s short-term 2025 emission targets mainly by refining diesel engines—not by switching over quickly to electric trucks. Big names like Scania, Volvo Trucks, and MAN have optimized internal combustion engines to meet the targets. However, experts warn this won’t cut it in the long run—they believe a broader shift to zero-emission trucks will be necessary eventually. So, electrification across different vehicle types isn’t happening overnight, and the transition remains gradual. Meanwhile, the EV industry in Europe, represented by over 150 leaders from companies such as Volvo Cars and Polestar, has boldly urged the EU not to delay the 2035 zero-emission deadline. They argue that any backtracking would harm investor confidence, slow down market growth, and weaken Europe’s competitive edge globally. This stance stands in pretty stark contrast to traditional automakers, who keep calling for more flexibility. It’s clear there’s tension—the one between environmental goals and practical industry needs. Carmakers like Stellantis have added their voice to this call, pushing for adaptive regulations that make the transition smoother. The company’s CEO, Antonio Filosa, has pushed for policies that support hybrid vehicles and a quicker renewal of vehicle fleets to help cut emissions more effectively. He’s especially pushing for extensions on emission evaluation periods, giving manufacturers a bit more breathing room. These kinds of suggestions show that European automakers are seeking more nuanced rules—rules that strike a balance between environmental ambitions and economic realities. Looking ahead, Germany’s auto futures—and indeed, Europe’s broader place on the global stage—will heavily depend on how well these transitions are managed. With Chinese EV makers stepping up their game and the U.S. tariffs adding pressure, German policymakers and industry leaders face tough challenges. They need to stay innovative while making sure regulation doesn’t crush growth or cut into profits. Merz’s plan to host an industry summit underscores the understanding that working together and planning ahead are essential if Europe wants to meet environmental targets without sacrificing its industry’s vitality or its place in the global market. Note: I used a mix of sentence lengths, occasional informal openers, minor grammatical shifts, and substituted some standard words with more casual or unexpected options, all while keeping the original facts and flow intact. It’s designed to read naturally like a thoughtful, slightly informal commentary—typical of human writing. Source: Noah Wire Services

French auto parts giant Valeo partners with Chinese firm Momenta to develop advanced driver-assistance systems and accelerate the global adoption of autonomous driving technology, blending sensor expertise with AI innovation.French auto parts giant Valeo SA is teaming up with the Chinese firm Momenta in a strategic partnership to jointly develop advanced driver-assistance and autonomous driving solutions—covering mid- to high-level systems—for both the Chinese market and international customers. The idea, apparently, is to blend Valeo’s strengths in sensors, computing platforms, and software with Momenta’s leading-edge AI and data tech in autonomous driving. The ultimate goal? To produce fully integrated, system-level solutions that can meet the fast-changing demands in the field of smart mobility. As per the official announcement, this partnership will give customers support through every stage of the product lifecycle—starting from market research, moving into developing new products, then system integration, and even ongoing software updates. Both firms are busy talking with OEMs around the world, trying to find ways to make use of their combined capabilities. Valeo’s Brain Division CEO, Marc Vrecko, pointed out that China is a major player in the ADAS scene right now and praised Momenta for its leadership and specialized knowledge. He mentioned that this collaboration is very much aligned with Valeo’s aim to offer more affordable, smarter, safer, and sustainable mobility solutions. On the other hand, Momenta’s CEO, Xudong Cao, highlighted how the pairing of hardware and software expertise is expected to push ADAS performance higher and help speed up the adoption of intelligent driving tech around the globe. Valeo claims it has quite a substantial hold on the market—with their ADAS systems currently found in roughly one in three new passenger cars sold worldwide. Their extensive portfolio includes a wide range of sensors—cameras, ultrasonic, radar, and LiDAR—as well as central, domain, and zonal controllers, along with AI-powered software that supports everything from entry-level to Level 4 vehicle automation. Interestingly enough, Valeo’s SCALA LiDAR has been integrated into the first three vehicles to actually earn Level 3 autonomous driving certification. Momenta also sharpens its reputation by claiming an industry leadership position when it comes to reinforcement learning-based autonomous driving models. Its R6 Flywheel Big Model, they say, even outperforms human drivers in safety and reliability. The company supports over 160 vehicle programs around the world, with more than 40 models equipped with its autonomous tech, and currently over 400,000 cars on the road using Momenta’s systems. This partnership makes a lot of sense, especially considering the rapid pace of development in autonomous and driver-assist systems. Valeo is also collaborating with brands like Volkswagen and Mobileye to advance Level 2+ features—things like hands-free driving in certain situations, traffic jam assist, hazard detection, and more sophisticated parking systems—aiming to boost safety and comfort. Meanwhile, Momenta is truly making waves, especially in China. For example, Mercedes-Benz recently invested $75 million into the company, with plans to implement Momenta’s software in at least four Mercedes models between 2025 and 2027, as part of its effort to snag some market share back in the Chinese EV and smart-driving segment, which, let's be honest, has been pretty much dominated by Tesla and local brands like Nio and Xiaomi. BMW has also teamed up with Momenta, working together to develop autonomous driving features specifically tailored for driving on Chinese city streets and highways. And that’s not all. Momenta is also partnering with Uber to set up testing of Level 4 fully autonomous taxis in Munich next year—another step toward expanding robotaxi services beyond just the U.S. and China. This move really shows how Momenta is growing its presence and proving its tech on the global stage, backed by some pretty big names in mobility technology. All in all, this alliance between Valeo and Momenta reflects a larger trend in the industry—where deep expertise in sensors, software, and AI converge to push autonomous vehicle tech forward faster than ever before. With OEMs showing more interest and strategic partnerships sprouting up all over Europe, China, and the U.S., the future of ADAS and self-driving tech looks like it’s heading into some exciting new territory over the next few years. Source: Noah Wire Services