Welcome again! Did you miss me? Sure, in fact you probably did. There may be numerous “way forward for transportation” information to maintain observe of. Let’s bounce in. 

It’s comeback week, and never simply because I’ve returned from trip. I’m speaking concerning the biennial IAA Mobility convention in Munich and the purposeful effort amongst German automakers to indicate the world it may well nonetheless provide compelling, technologically superior, and reasonably priced autos. The subtext of the splashy occasion that began Tuesday: “Hey, China, we’re not out of the race.”

VW Group, Mercedes, and BMW all showcased quite a few new autos, together with electrical ones. And executives made their battle cries: VW Group Oliver Blume struck a bullish tone in a couple of interviews with reporters and laid out the corporate’s plan to be aggressive in China, significantly with EVs, a class the place VW has lagged.

However what about on the house entrance? Chinese language automakers have been pushing into Europe, and customers have responded. The German automakers are hoping their newest merchandise — together with a brand new all-electric Mercedes GLC, the BMW iX3 with its 4 “superbrain” computer systems, and the Volkswagen ID Polo and ID Cross idea — will protect and even develop market share. However they’ve some work to do. Chinese language corporations like BYD nearly doubled their market share in Europe over the previous yr, JATO Dynamics reported in July.

One different IAA information merchandise of observe: Rimac Know-how, the tech and components unit of Rimac Group, has developed solid-state battery packs it says can be obtainable by late 2027. These batteries apparently pack within the vitality and could be charged from 10% to 80% in beneath 10 minutes.

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Somewhat chook

Hyundai seems to nonetheless be dedicated to Motional, in keeping with two little birds who’ve shared new funding data with me. 

Hyundai and Aptiv had created a three way partnership (known as Motional) with an settlement to take a position $4 billion within the effort. Aptiv backed out in early 2024, leaving Hyundai to both make investments its personal cash, discover different outdoors companions, or shutter this system altogether. Hyundai opted to make investments $1 billion — $475 million instantly into Motional as a part of a broader deal that features shopping for out three way partnership associate Aptiv. Hyundai agreed to spend one other $448 million to purchase 11% of Aptiv’s frequent fairness curiosity in Motional.

Now it seems Hyundai is investing extra into Motional in two tranches. The primary is being dispersed this yr and is about $452 million. The second comes subsequent yr, and I’m nonetheless attempting to nail down that quantity. That first determine is in keeping with reporting from a Korean outlet. Hyundai declined (a few occasions!) to answer my questions concerning the funding. That’s fairly typical for giant companies to remain mum. Nonetheless, one little chook who’s deep throughout the AV trade additionally famous that Hyundai may not need to make a giant deal about this, contemplating it’s additionally working with Waymo. 

In different little chook chirpings, there are two new hires at Normal Motors that you just may discover fascinating. Sony Mohapatra, the previous senior supervisor of AI compute platforms at Cruise, has landed as director of AI and machine studying engineering at Normal Motors. And Paul Menson, who was the senior workers account supervisor of Megapack at Tesla, is now director of vitality storage techniques enterprise growth at Normal Motors. 

Acquired a tip for us? E mail Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or my Sign at kkorosec.07, or Sean O’Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com.

Offers!

Through, the transit software program startup that garnered consideration for its consumer-facing on-demand shuttle service, has made its IPO debut. The corporate, as I’ve talked about earlier than, has been batting round plans for an IPO for years. 

Earlier this yr, it filed confidentially for an IPO — the second time it took this step. However this time, Through took the large IPO leap. The corporate, which is understood for its Citymapper cellular navigation app, mentioned it bought 10.7 million shares for $46 per share. In all, Through raised $492.9 million at a $3.7 billion valuation. That’s simply barely above its $3.5 billion valuation that it garnered again in 2023 throughout its final enterprise elevate. 

We needed to wrap up this text earlier than it formally started buying and selling, however I’ll be again subsequent week with an replace. 

Different offers that received my consideration …

Arc Boats, the Los Angeles startup based in 2021 by former SpaceX staff, signed a $160 million contract with Curtin Maritime for brand spanking new hybrid-electric tugs, that are anticipated to hit the waters across the Los Angeles port in 2027. 

LeydenJar, the Netherlands-based battery supplies startup, raised €13 million ($15.2 million) in a spherical led by Extantia and Make investments-NL.

Customary Fleet, a fleet administration software program firm, raised $13 million in a Sequence A spherical led by Nova Threshold with participation from WEX Enterprise Capital, SNR, Garry Tan (CEO of Y Combinator), Salil Deshpande (Uncorrelated Ventures), and Apoorv Bhargava (WeaveGrid). Returning buyers included Burst Capital, Canvas Ventures, Liquid 2, Night time Capital, Olive Capital, UP2398, and Danny Wen.

Notable reads and different tidbits

The Federal Aviation Administration introduced a new pilot program that can let electrical vertical takeoff and touchdown (eVTOL) startups check some operations earlier than they obtain full regulatory certification.

Hyundai’s once-buzzy electrical air taxi startup Supernal is having hassle getting off the bottom. The corporate paused work on its plane program after a rocky few months that noticed workers cuts and the departure of its CEO and CTO, two individuals acquainted with the matter advised TechCrunch.

InDrive, the Mountain View-based startup that received its begin in Siberia and is understood for its bidding-based ride-hailing mannequin throughout Asia and Latin America, needs to be a worldwide tremendous app. Right here’s what and the place it’s focusing on.

Jaguar Land Rover mentioned a cyberattack introduced automobile meeting traces to a standstill.

Lyft and Might Mobility have launched a robotaxi service in Atlanta, the primary business deployment within the two corporations’ partnership.

Nevada’s Occupational Security and Well being Administration opened an investigation after a Boring Firm worker sustained a “crushing damage” engaged on one in every of its tunnels in Las Vegas. Work has stopped on the website.

Tesla has the right allow to start testing autonomous automobile know-how on public roads in Nevada. As I clarify on this article, securing a testing allow within the state is easy and straightforward. (Simply fill out the registry type, and be sure you have the right $5 million insurance coverage protection.) Tesla will nonetheless want to finish the self-certification course of to have the ability to roll out a complete program. And it’ll want separate approval to function a business ride-hailing service. 

Uber and Chinese language autonomous automobile startup Momenta plan to start out testing robotaxis in Munich beginning in 2026.

The U.S. Justice Division filed a lawsuit towards Uber, accusing the ride-hailing firm of violating federal regulation by discriminating towards individuals with bodily disabilities.

Yet another factor …

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is true across the nook — in round six weeks or so. And we’ve some high-profile people from the transportation world coming onto our stage on the Moscone Middle in San Francisco. The occasion, which can be held October 27 to 29, will embody Wayve co-founder and CEO Alex Kendall, Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana, and Flexport founder and CEO Ryan Petersen. And extra are coming. Keep tuned.

You’ll be able to purchase tickets right here. And be sure you take a look at our Startup Battlefield 200, a fairly unbelievable listing of startups that can be exhibiting — and a few pitching on the primary stage.