Trucks | FoT: Rivian chips, Evio, Ford/Renault

Trucks | Future of Transportation for 2025.12.15
FoT is the intelligence arm of Trucks Venture Capital 

Notable:

As near luxury buyers demand more autonomy, Rivian moves to establish its AI credibility (link, link to video presentation). Developing in-house chip (5 nm, made by TSMC), plus LiDAR for L4 driving. 'Universal Hands Free' system will be $49.99/month or $2500 once (less than 1/3 the outright price of Tesla FSD). Related: Volkswagen will not benefit from Rivian's AV and AI technology announcements (link). I didn't anticipate off-road brands needing a strong ADAS and AV strategy years ago, but we are the point in the cycle where now every brand is expected to clarify its plans. Every vehicle brand has to talk about AI whether it is offensive or defensive. Sorry, I don't make the rules.

Inside the Stellantis war room: a focus on sales as north star (link). 'Under Filosa, the automaker has ditched direct investments in autonomous driving, Reuters has reported, and hydrogen-powered vehicles in a back-to-basics approach.' The undoing of the Carlos Tavares era is happening quickly, a sudden NARCAN™ injection in the thigh of the Stellantis borg.

'Doctorless delivery in driverless car' as woman gives birth in Waymo en route to San Francisco hospital (link).

Ford CEO op-ed in FT: Europe is risking the future of its auto industry (link). 'European policymakers say they want a sustainable auto industry. But setting unrealistic regulations only to adjust them at the end of each year when consumers do not show up is a recipe for turmoil.'

Uber scales back EV incentives for drivers in some markets (link). 'The company had pledged to reach 100% EVs in London by this year, and 100% in North America and Europe by 2030, but it’s far short of those goals. The San Francisco-based firm reported earlier this year that about 40% of its miles in London are in EVs, while Europe and North America are about 15% and 9%, respectively. Instead of enticing drivers into EVs with cash, Uber is ratcheting back extra payments and backpedaling in other ways.'

Pivots or parallel use? Redwood Materials moves into energy storage instead of EVs (link); Boom Aerospace pivots to sell its engines to power data centers (link).

Woman finds man hiding in trunk of her Waymo (link). If the last two years of corner case exploration has taught us anything, we need more cameras under AVs and in the cargo areas.

Video: unsupervised, driverless Tesla seen on public roads in Austin (link). Audio: Uber CEO on Bloomberg radio (link). In the interview: 'robotaxis are a trillion-dollar-plus opportunity.' Video: slammed shopping cart (link). Video: electrical box scooter (link). Video: Alex Roy on narrative command, from startups to nation states (link). Video: JerryRig looks at Rivian's new chips (link).

M&A / Deals / Changes:

Canadian hybrid-electric aviation startup Evio raises strategic round from Boeing (link). 'The Canadian start-up says it has secured conditional purchase agreements and options for 450 aircraft, with entry into service planned for the early 2030s.'

Ford and Renault announce they will cooperate on vehicles for Ford's European operations (link). 'The first of the next-generation EVs—to be designed by Ford, co-developed by both companies on a Renault technology platform and built by Renault in northern France—will reach European dealerships in 2028.' Also mentioned is an LOI for potential collaboration on a commercial vehicle.

Roomba maker iRobot files for bankruptcy protection (link). 'The company filed for bankruptcy after reaching a restructuring support agreement that will hand control of the consumer robot maker to Shenzhen PICEA Robotics Co., its main supplier and lender, and Santrum Hong Kong Co.'

Trucking TMS startup Qargo raises $33M (link). Led by Sofina.

Boeing completes acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems (link).

Adrian Norris's dim view on aviation startup ZeroAvia's progress (link).

Ford and SK end their battery joint venture (link). 'The two companies will divide the assets: Ford will take ownership and operation of the twin battery plants in Kentucky, while SK On will operate the factory at the massive BlueOval SK campus in Tennessee.'

Canadian AV trucking startup Waabi reporteldy raising $750M (link).

Indian car services startup GoMechanic acquired by Spinny (link).

Israeli semiconductor startup Visic raises $26M (link). Led by HKMC.

Chinese AV startup Pony looks to licensing business model (link).

Renault shuts its Mobilize car-sharing mobility operations (link).

Board & Executive Changes:

Ryder Systems: John Diez named CEO, to replace Robert Sanchez (link).

Harley-Davidson: Bryan Niketh named COO (link).

Asbury Automotive Group: Daniel Clara promoted to CEO, was COO, succeeds David Hult (link).

BMW: Milan Nedeljković to become CEO (link).

EVgo: Keefer Lehner named as CFO, succeeding Paul Dobson (link).

Union Pacific: Anthony Will joins board (link).

PACCAR: Kevin Baney promoted to President, continues as Head DAF Trucks, Financial Services, IR (link).

Curated Jobs:

Design Engineer, Wing Structures at Joby Aviation in Santa Cruz, CA USA (link).

Software Test Manager, AI Systems at Quadric in Burlingame, CA, USA or hybrid (link).

Hiring? Post a job (link). If you're a startup, use code 'Trucks' for free standard listings.

Hunting? View all 311 postings on the MobilityJobs job board (link).

New Stuff:

Problems with commercial driver’s licenses for immigrants found in 8 US states so far (link).

VW to convert Dresden EV factory to AI, chip tech center (link).

China's Geely opens the world's largest safety technology center (link).

Fiat will sell 28-mph EV Topolino in US (link).

Patents & Patent Applications:

Ford's patent application shows rolling overhead viewing screen (link).

Apple's patent application for two-wheeled accident notification on watch (link).

Statistics / Projections:

Air travel growth projections: 4.9% for passenger travel, 2.6% for air cargo in 2026 (link). Via IATA.

Amazon’s same-day grocery delivery has now expanded to a 2,300 locations across the US, more than double the 1,000 figure from just August of this year (link). Via Sherwood.

Roughly 1 in 3 cars with safety recalls don’t get fixed (link). Via WSJ.

Americans still say rising prices are the most important problem in the US (42%) (link). Via Dan Frommer's 2025 Consumer Trends report.

Cars under $25,000 sell 48x faster than the average car (link). Via Automotive News / Lotlinx.

Waymo robotaxis have done 14 million trips so far in 2025, or 3x last year's figure (link). Via The Verge.

Waymo's waiting time (defined as idling time and time driving without a trip assignment) falls by more than half from 38.4 minutes in January 2024 to 17.7 minutes in September 2025 (link). Via Driverless Digest.

Thank you:

Thank you to Patrick Hunt (link) and Chris McNally (link) for offers of introductions to new founders, investors and friends over the last week.

Trucks portfolio companies mentioned in this issue:

Joby Aviation (link), Quadric (link). View the full portfolio of Trucks companies (link).

Begin your reconnoiter (one of the Die Hard cops),

Reilly Brennan