Techcrunch Mobility: Tesla rejected the brand “Robotaxi”, Aurora loses a co -founder, and the customs tariff begins to cause servants

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Remember last week when Aurora He met a major teacher – just a radge under the deadline – and I launched a self -driving truck service? WELP, this week, URORA topped the headlines again, but for a sudden change in driving.

Co -founder Sterling AndersonWho was the chief product employee, is He resigned from his position and the council. There is no real word about what paid his resignation, along with some of the comments he made during the company’s profit call in the first quarter. He said: “Leaving Ura is one of the most difficult decisions that he made ever, especially given the exciting stage Aurora in.” “This is exactly what gave me confidence that is now the time.”

He did not say exactly where he was going, except that it would be “an exciting external opportunity in a major leading role in a distinguished global company.”

I will allow you all to put your bets.

Aurora is pressing without Anderson. The company announced during its profit call that it will start sending its self -driving trucks At night and during the opposite weather conditions Like rain or heavy wind by the second half of 2025. The company also plans to expand the driver’s truck transport road beyond Dallas to Houston, in El Paso and Phoenix.

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Deals!

It is not every day a public company reverses the course and goes in particular. But again, these are not normal times. Especially for any company that caught in the trade war between the United States of China.

Take ZekrFor example. One year ago, the Chinese company EV He appeared for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange. Now, the mother company Gilly cars He wants it Take the private Zekr In response to the idea of ​​Trump’s administration to expel Chinese companies from the American stock exchanges.

Other deals caught my attention …

Bosch Ventures It has a new fund worth $ 270 million that will continue to imitate investment in startups in the field of deep technology. Managing director Ing Ramesohl Tell Techcrunch that the plan is a situation More money in startups in North America.

Investors who previously supported the Indian Uber competitor Blusmart A plan to inject another $ 30 million has suggested starting the struggling cabin, which suddenly stopped its operations last month. But there is hunting.

BreatheStart the battery program, Rapid 21 million dollars In a tour of the series B led by Kinnevik online AB, the company exclusively told Techcrunch. Share LowerCarbon Capital and Volvo Cars Tech Fund.

Doordash It announced two major acquisitions as it expands to Europe. The company agreed to buy its opponent in the United Kingdom delivery For about 2.9 billion pounds (About 3.87 billion dollars) said separately that he buys Seven rooms – Which provides CRM programs, marketing and operations to help restaurants, hotels and public places with reservations and guest management – for $ 1.2 billion in cash.

During, Uber He was busy this week, where he obtained and investing companies.

Uber increased its investments in the Independent Chinese Vehicle Company By 100 million dollars As part of an expanded partnership deal to provide service to 15 other cities over the next five years. In a separate deal, Uber also I got a 85 % controlling stake in Trendyol goesIstanbul -based grocery grocery stores, for about $ 700 million in cash.

Promise readings and other tales

Independent vehicles

This is the key to employees I did not expect. NotFormer president and CTO for a self -driving auto company now cruiseHe was just appointed to the senior technology official at Wealhealth and Wellness Company To shake and breathe. I have spoken to Hims & HERS founder and CEO Andrew DodomHe specifically focused on the AV industry to find the next CTO. That is why.

Noro I started testing AV technology on Las Vegas sector. I recently sat with the co -founder and President Dave Ferguson. Stay tuned for the reason why the company changed its business model.

Timing“Robotaxi” and “Cybercab” brands made some road barriers. the US Patent and brands office He denied trying Tesla For the brand, the term “Robotaxi” in reference to its cars because it is very general. Meanwhile, requests from Tesla for the brand have been stopped on the term “Cybercab” due to companies that follow the similar “Internet” brands.

Uber Close partnerships with three independent Chinese vehicle companies – Artificial intelligence dowryand MomentumAnd Fire – In an attempt to meet the Robotaxi market share in the Middle East and Europe. The footnote: These deals do not work in China.

And emo It announced that it has a new factory with an area of ​​239,000 square feet in the Phoenix suburb of Maysa through a deal with Magna Building more than 2000 Jaguar I-Pace vehicles. It is clear that this got a lot of attention. But I was more interested in finally learning the size of the current commercial fleet in Waymo, and it is now 1500.

Road He performs tours on the prominent executive group. You may remember the Bill Gates video in one of the independent test vehicles on the road. Now he is the founder of Virgin Group Sir Richard Branson role. Ps Branson is an investor of a means. Refer to work, Wealth storm I held the artificial intelligence conference in London, CEO and co -founder Alex Kendall There was. He was Some interesting comments About the comprehensive approach to the end and the Elon Musk from Tesla.

Zoo Stop the test program without a driver for more than a week and issued a Voluntary summons for her program After a crash in Las Vegas.

Electric cars, shipping and batteries

the Cadillac Celeste EV – Yes, this monster – here, and the share of EMME Hall has ideas yet Spend a day behind the wheel.

It is the profit season, and the US -Chinese trade war began to leave a scratch on the paint of car manufacturers everywhere. Likewise, I don’t think we will be able to get rid of it.

Ford and General Motors They withdrew their guidelines for this year, noting the economic uncertainty related to Trump’s definitions. During, Rural He said it is possible Provide fewer vehicles This year (from 40,000 to 46,000 volts), which was previously expected due to definitions and other organizational changes. Remembering: The company was already tracking its third year in a row without growing in size before the direction is reduced. There was some good news for Rivian, although it made a total profit (yes I know, the total profit is not exactly my favorite). However, this met with a contractual milestone that opened about one billion dollars in financing from the Volkswagen Group as part of a joint venture with the German auto company.

Ford Raise the price All Mach-E SUV electric electric cars And receiving Maverick at $ 2000 due to the import taxes that Trump places on the vehicles made in Mexico.

Clear engines It was working through some The quality of “hiccups” In the early stages of providing long -awaited electric cars.

Mitsubishi motors In conversations with Foxconn to Electric car style source The Japanese auto industry company plans for sale in Australia and New Zealand in the last half of 2026.

Timing sales Continue recession Throughout Europe despite EV sales in April.

The future of the trip

Judy flight It seems that it settles in 2026 to obtain the first business service for passengers, according to what it said First quarter profit report. The vertical takeoff and the start of the landing that turned into SPAC targeted 2025, then he said “early in 2026”. Now it is only 2026, which indicates that it may not be early next year.