SU7: Xiaomi's Big Move into the Electric Car Arena | December 29th, 2023
Plus, General Motors halted sales of the newly launched Chevy Blazer EV, and gig workers will now be classified as employees under the new EU deal.
Issue [#219] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
The Mobility World Convenes This March at Curbivore
The Movements team will be joining the world of mobility and delivery this March 28th and 29th in Downtown LA at Curbivore 2024. Score your ticket before EOY and pay just $175 to meet with and hear from the top minds at orgs like Uber, Walmart, Wonder, Lyft, LADOT, Bloomberg, SFMTA, Nash, GM Brightdrop, Motional, Serve, Coco, Kiwibot, Seattle DOT, California Transportation Commission, Upfront Ventures and more.
Micromobility
While electric scooter pioneer Bird filing for bankruptcy might seem like a setback for shared micromobility, the industry is thriving, with the number of micromobility trips increasing by 40% since 2018. Despite Bird's financial troubles, shared scooters and bikes are becoming integral to city life, with Lime positioned to benefit as the largest micromobility operator in the US | The Verge
Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) has achieved a landmark with the European Declaration on Cycling, elevating cycling to a strategic priority across the EU. The Bike Share Expert Group, a part of CIE, anticipates a resurgence of bike sharing in 2024 and is actively advocating for funding and policies to support the sector's growth | ZAGDaily
Embarking on the U.S. market journey, Dani Horwitz, CEO of VMAX USA, unveils key strategies for micromobility success. From laying a rock-solid operational foundation to navigating the vastness of the U.S., the guide covers adapting products, strategic launches, and the crucial balance between flexibility and responsiveness. VMAX's insights offer a roadmap for a thrilling ride into the American micromobility landscape | ZAGDaily
Despite a surge in electric bicycle popularity worldwide in 2023, cities like NYC and Paris implemented bans citing safety concerns, while Burning Man and U.S. campuses considered restrictions. However, with e-bike ridership on the rise, the focus for 2024 should shift towards safer integration into urban spaces, emphasizing the need for well-crafted regulations instead of outright bans | Electrek
Product Launches & Updates
General Motors has temporarily halted sales of the newly launched Chevy Blazer EV due to software problems reported by owners. The issues involve screen malfunctions and charging difficulties at DC Fast stations | TechCrunch
Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone giant, has officially entered the electric car market with the SU7, aiming to rival Tesla and Porsche. Co-founder Lei Jun vows to invest $10 billion to make Xiaomi a global automobile leader within 15 to 20 years, emphasizing the vehicle's advanced features, including a 500-mile range, advanced motor, and autonomous driving capabilities | Electrek
Tesla has issued an over-the-air software update for more than two million vehicles with Autopilot, following a federal safety investigation highlighting the ease of driver misuse. The recall addresses concerns about drivers engaging Autopilot in situations where control is unclear | Consumer Reports
Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery
While Uber celebrates surging profits, a closer look reveals CEO Dara Khosrowshahi's controversial tactics—aggressively raising ride prices and discreetly slashing driver pay. The introduction of "upfront fares plus destination" cleverly conceals pay cuts, allowing Uber to pocket more from passenger fares | Forbes
As 2023 comes to a close, Modern Delivery's special edition reflects on a whirlwind year in the food delivery arena. From Uber Eats' innovative safety features to DoorDash's unexpected partnerships and Grubhub's fee reductions, the recap unveils the industry's highs, lows, and everything in between | Modern Delivery
European Union negotiators have tentatively agreed to reclassify millions of gig workers, including ride-hailing and food-delivery app employees, as full-fledged employees. The deal introduces conditions like pay limits and algorithmic transparency, aiming to provide better rights and fair competition. However, concerns linger about how these rules might impact the industry's operations | Fortune
Investment & Deals
EVCS, an electric vehicle charging company, is seeking a $20 million funding round, as revealed exclusively by TechCrunch+ | TechCrunch
South Korea's automotive industry and manufacturing alliances are tied to the investment by Sunbo Angel Partners and Lighthouse Combined Investment | Tech.eu
Ola Electric, the Bengaluru-based startup, plans to raise $661.8 million through an IPO by selling new shares, according to draft papers filed with India's market regulator | TechCrunch
GEM Global Yield LLC and Surf Air Mobility have entered into binding terms for a $35.2 million mandatory convertible debenture | BusinessWire
Cities & Policy
Reuters is being accused by Tesla of crafting a story about the automaker misleading customers regarding repairs beyond warranty coverage | Electrek
New Yorkers irritated by Neil Diamond musical's anti-congestion pricing stunt as they drive into America | StreetBlogs NYC
High-speed rail benefits from Hyperloop's setback | TechCrunch
Lawsuit: General Motors accuses San Francisco of unjustly taxing $108 million despite minimal sales and presence | Bloomberg
In an effort to address competition concerns in Germany, a bid is made by Google to resolve the bundling of its automotive services | TechCrunch
Federal electric vehicle tax credit is set to undergo a change, making it significantly more appealing to buyers | TechCrunch
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