Tesla’s attempts to trademark terms like “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab” hit unexpected roadblocks this week, as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ruled the “Robotaxi” branding overly generic for exclusive commercial use. Tesla’s application for the “Cybercab” name has also been put on pause due to challenges from other companies pursuing similar trademarks.
Meanwhile, significant shifts have occurred in the autonomous vehicle startup Aurora. Sterling Anderson, Aurora’s co-founder and Chief Product Officer, has announced his unexpected departure from both his executive role and his seat on the company’s board. During a quarterly earnings call, Anderson highlighted the difficulty of his decision, describing Aurora’s stage of development as an “exciting” point for the company. He did not disclose details about his next position, saying only that it involved a senior executive role at a prominent global corporation.
Despite Anderson’s departure, Aurora continues to advance its operations, confirming it will expand the scope of its driverless trucking services by the latter half of 2025. Aurora plans to deploy its autonomous trucks under challenging conditions for the first time, including night-time operation and inclement weather conditions such as heavy rain and wind. The company also revealed intentions to broaden its route coverage from its current Dallas base to include Houston, El Paso, and Phoenix.
In other significant transportation developments, uncertainties stemming from U.S.-China trade tensions and associated tariffs have begun significantly impacting the automotive industry. Ford and General Motors both withdrew their financial guidance projections for the year in response to continuing economic instability caused by these tariffs. Additionally, EV maker Rivian adjusted its anticipated delivery targets downwards, citing regulatory changes and trade restrictions.
Geopolitical effects were apparent elsewhere in the market too. About a year after its much-publicized IPO, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Zeekr faces a sudden strategic reversal, with parent company Geely Auto seeking to delist it from the New York Stock Exchange. This move came as tensions intensified over Washington’s proposed delisting of Chinese companies from American exchanges.
Investment activity sees continued venture funding into the mobility tech space. Bosch Ventures has announced a renewed, $270 million fund, with an increased interest in North American deep-tech startups. India’s BluSmart faced a crisis, halting operations abruptly last month, but investors have signaled willingness to pump in $30 million more, contingent upon specific restructuring conditions. Meanwhile, battery-software firm Breathe secured $21 million in Series B funding, and food delivery giant DoorDash marked its European expansion through acquisitions of UK-based Deliveroo and hospitality tech provider SevenRooms.
Uber ramped up its international investments considerably. The company poured an additional $100 million into China-based autonomous vehicle technology firm WeRide, setting the stage for expanded autonomous services across 15 cities in the coming years. In another strategic move, Uber acquired a controlling stake worth around $700 million in Turkish food-delivery provider Trendyol Go.
In the AV sector, self-driving tech company Cruise’s former CTO Mo Elshenawy was appointed Chief Technology Officer at telehealth platform Hims & Hers—an unusual crossover highlighting the increasing relevance of AV sector executives in AI-intensive industries. Autonomous vehicle maker Waymo also opened a new major facility near Phoenix, aiming to increase its fleet significantly by assembling more than 2,000 Jaguar I-Pace vehicles.
Issues arose for Amazon-backed Zoox, however, which temporarily halted its driverless vehicle testing and issued a software recall in Las Vegas after a crewless vehicle incident.
Electric vehicles are feeling the impact of the tariff-induced economic climate as well. Ford raised pricing on both its Mustang Mach-E SUV and its Maverick pickup truck in response to newly imposed tariffs. Lucid Motors faced production and quality challenges with its upcoming Gravity SUV deliveries, while Mitsubishi Motors explored sourcing electric models from Foxconn to service markets in Australia and New Zealand by 2026.
Overall, the automotive industry’s near-term outlook appears clouded by geopolitical tensions and regulatory challenges, pushing companies to revise forecasts and adapt rapidly to shifting conditions. Nevertheless, advancements continue, underscoring resilience within the sector amid a changing global landscape.
