[241206] #Tesla #Luminar #Hyundai

1. Trump team is seeking to ease US rules for self-driving cars

• Trump’s transition team plans to prioritize creating a federal framework for fully autonomous vehicles through the Department of Transportation, potentially benefiting companies like Tesla.
• Current federal regulations restrict deploying large numbers of driverless cars, posing challenges to Tesla’s plans to launch “Cybercab” robotaxis without driver controls by 2026.
• A bipartisan legislative effort is in early discussions to establish federal rules for autonomous vehicles, which could significantly boost the industry.
• Emil Michael, a former Uber executive, and Republican Representatives Sam and Garret Graves are potential candidates for the Transportation Secretary role.
• Elon Musk, a supporter of federal rules for self-driving cars, plans to push for nationwide autonomous vehicle deployment, which aligns with his broader strategy for Tesla.
• Past legislative efforts to raise the cap on self-driving vehicle deployment from 2,500 to 100,000 units have repeatedly stalled in Congress.
• Trump appointed Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new initiative to cut government bureaucracy and reduce regulatory hurdles, potentially easing adoption of autonomous vehicles.

  

2. Autonomous logistics pioneer, LOXO, expands into Germany to address $504bn market

• LOXO, a Swiss leader in autonomous logistics solutions, has expanded internationally by opening a subsidiary in Munich, Germany.
• The expansion follows LOXO’s success in deploying Europe’s first Level 4 (L4) autonomous vehicles on public roads in Bern, Switzerland, with operational routes spanning 65 kilometers.
• LOXO’s autonomous vehicles have proven effective in partnerships with major Swiss logistics companies like Planzer and Migros.
• Germany was chosen for its robust logistics market, advanced automotive infrastructure, and progressive autonomous vehicle legislation.
• The Munich subsidiary will focus on middle-mile logistics, a $379.89 billion market projected to surpass $504 billion by 2032, leveraging Germany’s talent and local partnerships.
• LOXO aims to transform the logistics sector by integrating autonomous vehicles into middle-mile and mobile distribution systems, driving innovation and scalability across new markets.

LOXO expands to Germany, bringing its successful Level 4 autonomous logistics solutions to Europe’s largest logistics market.

3. Luminar: Progress, But The Market Wants More

• Luminar Technologies, Inc. is making progress with new deals, but financials remain weak, requiring patience for long-term gains.
• Volvo’s EX90 production ramp and a second model with Iris LiDAR promise future revenue growth, despite current low sales.
• Luminar’s insurance program could offer significant savings, potentially making LiDAR cost-effective for consumers.
• Despite frustrating financials, Luminar’s strategic cost savings and production ramp-up suggest better financials by 2026.
• I am Mark Holder (aka Stone Fox Capital), a CPA with degrees in Accounting and Finance. I lead the investing group Outfox The Street, where I attempt to uncover potential multibaggers while managing portfolio risk via diversification.

4. Chinese autonomous driving startup Pony AI seeks up to $224M in US IPO

5. Hyundai to launch AI-powered EV in China next year

• Hyundai Motor, in collaboration with Chinese autonomous driving software firm Haomo, will launch its first China-dedicated EV equipped with generative AI in 2024.
• The EV will feature Haomo’s DriveGPT, a generative AI model designed to enhance real-time autonomous driving decision-making, achieving Level 2 to 2.5 autonomy.
• Haomo’s DriveGPT has already been integrated into about 20 models and leverages data to improve human driver intervention scenarios.
• China’s EV market, where EVs accounted for 37% of new vehicle sales in 2022 and are projected to surpass 50% in 2023, is led by BYD with a 33.8% market share, followed by Tesla at 7.5%.
• Hyundai, struggling to gain traction in China’s EV market, partnered with Beijing Motor to create a 50-50 joint venture and plans to launch up to five EVs in China by 2026.