[241231] #GM #XPeng #Mobileye

1. GM dumps Cruise robotaxi plans; shifts autonomy work to personal cars

• General Motors (GM) is shifting focus from robotaxis to autonomous driving technology for personal vehicles, citing better business opportunities.
• GM will integrate its Cruise self-driving subsidiary with its technical teams to advance Level 3 and Level 4 autonomy in personal cars, ceasing funding for Cruise’s robotaxi development.
• The restructuring is expected to save GM over $1 billion annually starting in 2025, with the company also increasing its ownership in Cruise to more than 97%.
• GM’s pivot comes after $10 billion in investments in Cruise and growing competition in the robotaxi market from companies like Waymo and Tesla.
• The automaker plans to build on its existing Super Cruise Level 2 hands-free driving system, available in 20 models, while expanding its autonomous capabilities.
• GM is undertaking broader cost-saving measures, including restructuring operations in China and selling its stake in a battery cell plant to optimize capital allocation.
• Recent layoffs and facility closures reflect GM’s efforts to improve operating efficiency and align with its strategic focus on personal autonomy and electric vehicle demand.

  

2. EACON Mining fleet surpasses 800 travelling >27 million kilometres autonomously

• EACON Mining has deployed over 800 autonomous haulage trucks, covering more than 27 million kilometers across 19 projects with 14 models from six OEMs, 99% of which are low-emission vehicles.
• The company prioritizes automation and decarbonization through close collaboration with manufacturers and offers fleets that are fully interoperable with hybrid and battery-electric options.
• EACON’s autonomous solution, ORCASTRA®, supports seamless scalability, efficiency, and adaptability across diverse mining operations and commodities.
• Customers, including CNBM, SPIC, and Zijin Group, have achieved fully autonomous deployments in as little as two weeks, reflecting EACON’s technical expertise and rapid deployment capabilities.
• EACON’s solutions are designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability, with a focus on reducing emissions, minimizing energy use, and promoting environmentally conscious mining practices.
• Newly secured projects include deployments in iron ore, copper-gold, and zinc mines, demonstrating EACON’s ability to meet varied industry needs.
• The company remains committed to empowering mining companies, optimizing current operations while innovating for the future of mining.

EACON Mining deploys 800 autonomous, low-emission haulage trucks, driving innovation in automation and sustainability across diverse mining projects.

3. Aurora’s Self-Driving Trucks Poised for Growth, Analyst Forecasts Considerable Upside

• Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Andres Sheppard initiated coverage on Aurora Innovation Inc. (NASDAQ: AUR) with an Overweight rating and a price target of $10.
• Aurora develops Level 4 autonomous driving technology (Aurora Driver) for long-haul trucking, combining cameras, radars, and proprietary long-range LiDARs.
• The company’s asset-light, high-margin business model and favorable U.S. regulations position it for rapid scalability.
• Aurora has an exclusive partnership with Continental to scale its hardware for high-volume installations, with SOP expected in 2027.
• By 2027-2031, Aurora’s projected gross margins could increase from ~24% to over 50%, with annual capex under $30 million.
• Texas, Aurora’s initial target market, offers significant opportunities due to truck-friendly regulations and high goods transportation demand.
• The trucking TAM is estimated at $1 trillion in the U.S. and $4 trillion globally, with Aurora poised to capitalize on a growing driver shortage.
• Aurora has logged over 2 million supervised miles and delivered 8,200 commercial loads through its Aurora Driver technology as of October 2024.

4. XPeng’s regulatory filings share plans for facelifts to its G6 and G9 EVs, each abandoning LiDAR

5. Mobileye to Use Innoviz Lidar for Self-Driving Systems

• Mobileye Global Inc. has selected Innoviz Technologies Ltd. to supply laser sensors (lidar) for its autonomous driving systems, with sensor deployment set to begin in 2026.
• The partnership is expected to help Innoviz place its technology on approximately 100,000 vehicles annually within a few years, with autonomous shuttles potentially providing the most lucrative opportunity due to their higher sensor requirements.
• This agreement follows Mobileye’s decision to discontinue its in-house lidar development program and comes after Innoviz has already established supply agreements with Volkswagen and BMW.
• Lidar sensors are critical technology for autonomous vehicles, helping them detect and navigate their surrounding environment by using laser-based detection methods.
• The deal represents a significant opportunity for Innoviz to expand its market presence and move towards profitability in the growing autonomous and driver-assist vehicle technology sector.