Taiwan's Foxconn sells Ohio EV facility to focus more on AI data centers

Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics manufacturer, is selling all of its land and entire facility in Lordstown, Ohio, for approximately US$375 million in a shift of focus from electric vehicles to artificial intelligence as demand for AI infrastructure in the US booms.

The iPhone assembler bought the assets, formerly a General Motors manufacturing facility, from EV startup Lordstown Motors in 2022.

Foxconn, which is also the world's largest AI server maker, said the Lordstown facility will become an AI data center in the future and that Foxconn will play an active and important role in building its infrastructure.

The move comes as the overall EV industry has struggled with years of sluggish demand and intensifying Chinese competition.

Reference Sources

1. Nikkei - Taiwan's Foxconn sells Ohio EV facility to focus more on AI data centers

China's Baidu teams with Lyft to roll out robotaxis in Europe

(Source: Getty Images)

Chinese tech giant Baidu has partnered with US ride-hailing firm Lyft to introduce driverless taxis in Europe.

The Robotaxis will initially be deployed in the UK and Germany from 2026 and grow to have thousands of vehicles across Europe in the following years.

The partnership marks a transformative milestone in Baidu's international expansion and further positions Lyft as a leading AV platform in Europe.

If approved, Baidu's Rt6 vehicles, which are equipped with its Apollo Go self-driving system, will be integrated into Lyft's ride-hailing app.

The Robotaxi service is an example of Lyft's hybrid network approach, where AVs and human drivers work together to provide customer-obsessed options for riders.

Lyft has had very little presence in Europe until last week, when it closed the acquisition of Germany-based ride-hailing company Freenow, which is available in more than 150 cities across nine countries, including Ireland, the UK, Germany, and France. The deployment of the autonomous cars is pending regulatory approval, according to Lyft and Baidu.

Baidu's announcement accelerates its drive to gain a foothold in the global autonomous taxi business.

Reference Sources

1. cnbc - Baidu plans to expand its robotaxis to Europe with Lyft deal
2. apnews - Lyft Partners with Baidu to Deploy Autonomous Rides Across Europe
3. techcrunch - Lyft and China’s Baidu look to bring robotaxis to Europe next year
4. nikkei - China's Baidu teams with Lyft to roll out robotaxis in Europe

Vietnam automaker Vinfast to build factory in India, eyeing growth in Asia

(Source: AP)

Vietnamese electric vehicle maker Vinfast has begun production at a US$500M plant in Tamil Nadu, southern India, as part of a US$2 billion investment in India and a wider expansion across Asia.

The factory will initially produce 50,000 electric vehicles annually, with the potential to triple output to 150,000 cars.

Vinfast hopes the plant will become a hub for future exports to the region and create over 3,000 local jobs.

The company has reportedly scouted 15 locations across six Indian states before choosing Tamil Nadu.

The move comes as global manufacturers look to diversify their supply chains by shifting production to India amid rising geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions, and cost pressures.

Reference Sources

1. usnews - Vietnam Automaker Vinfast to Build Factory in India, Eyeing Growth in Asia
2. apnews - Vietnam automaker Vinfast to build factory in India, eyeing growth in Asia
3. bussinesstimes - Vietnam’s VinFast in talks to boost local sourcing as first India plant opens - The Business Times
4. jakartaglobe - Vietnam Automaker Vinfast Opens Factory in India, Eyeing Growth in Asia
5. nikkei - Vietnam's VinFast opens 1st India plant, seeks local sourcing

The CommonWealth English daily news digest is a service curated by the CommonWealth English team with the help of AI tools.

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