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Uber to start using BYD cars in Europe, Latin America and develop ‘autonomous-capable vehicles’

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Uber to start using BYD cars in Europe, Latin America and develop ‘autonomous-capable vehicles’

Uber and Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD announced a strategic partnership on Wednesday, aiming to bring more electric and autonomous-capable vehicles to the ride-hailing platform across Europe and Latin America. This collaboration marks a significant step toward electrifying urban mobility and developing future-ready transportation solutions.

Under the multi-year agreement, Uber drivers in Europe and Latin America will have access to special pricing and financing deals for BYD’s electric vehicles. The partnership has the potential to bring 100,000 BYD cars to Uber’s platform, furthering both companies’ commitment to creating a cleaner, greener world.

This initiative comes despite recent trade challenges, with the European Union increasing tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars. Nonetheless, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi expressed enthusiasm, stating, “As the largest global agreement of its kind, we’re thrilled about the benefits this partnership will deliver for drivers, riders, and cities.”

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BYD, headquartered in Shenzhen, has emerged as a dominant force in China’s electric car market, surpassing Tesla in total vehicle production for two consecutive years. The company is actively expanding its global presence, including investments in overseas factories. “Uber and BYD share a commitment to innovate towards a cleaner, greener world, and I am excited to work together towards that future,” said BYD Chairman and President Chuanfu Wang.

The partnership also involves the development of “autonomous-capable vehicles” for Uber’s platform, positioning both companies at the forefront of technological advancements in the transportation sector.

The agreement is set to expand beyond Europe and Latin America, with plans to cover the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. BYD exported over 240,000 cars across 70 countries last year and aims to more than double its vehicle exports this year.

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Stella Li, Executive Vice President at BYD and CEO of BYD Americas, emphasized the collaboration’s significance: “This collaboration marks a new era in the electrification of urban mobility, and we look forward to seeing our cutting-edge EVs become a common sight on the streets of cities worldwide.”

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Nvidia Unveils RTX 50-Series Chips at CES with AI-Powered Gaming Revolution

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Nvidia Unveils RTX 50-Series Chips at CES with AI-Powered Gaming Revolution

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has introduced the next generation of gaming chips, the RTX 50-series, during his keynote address at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. These cutting-edge chips leverage Nvidia’s Blackwell artificial intelligence (AI) technology, promising unprecedented gaming experiences with movie-quality graphics.


Huang showcased the capabilities of the RTX 50-series chips, claiming they are twice as fast as their predecessors. Priced between $549 (£438) and $1,999, the chips are designed to cater to a wide range of gamers, from casual players to hardcore enthusiasts.

In a live demonstration, the new chips produced stunning, highly detailed visuals with dynamic textures and complex maneuvers—all in real time. “It was awesome that they can do this in real time,” said Gary Yang, a robotics graduate student from Caltech. “Previously, we’d think of these graphics as pre-rendered.”

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The RTX 50-series chips will hit the market starting late January 2025. Early reactions from attendees at the CES event have been overwhelmingly positive. “I thought it was incredible,” said Scott Epstein of Agenovate AI, emphasizing Nvidia’s ongoing innovation.


The announcement comes as CES 2025 attracts over 150,000 attendees and 4,500 exhibitors, solidifying its reputation as the premier stage for tech innovation. Nvidia’s shares reached a record high in anticipation of Huang’s keynote, underlining the market’s confidence in the company’s direction.


Reflecting on Nvidia’s 31-year history, Huang highlighted the company’s evolution from a graphics chip manufacturer to a leader in AI chip development, now valued at over $3 trillion. Despite its achievements, Nvidia faces challenges from regulators worldwide scrutinizing its dominance in the AI chip market.

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The RTX 50-series chips mark a significant step forward in gaming technology, blending AI advancements with unparalleled performance.

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Volkswagen and Xpeng Join Forces to Expand EV Super-Fast Charging Network in China

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Volkswagen and Xpeng Join Forces to Expand EV Super-Fast Charging Network in China

Volkswagen and Xpeng have announced plans to collaborate on a vast super-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging network in China, marking a significant step in their partnership. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding to share access to their respective charging networks, creating over 20,000 charging points across 420 cities in China.

The partnership, which aims to make EV charging more accessible, also includes plans for co-branded super-fast charging stations. Olaf Korzinovski, executive vice president of Volkswagen Group China, highlighted the ambition:
“Through our strategic collaboration with Xpeng, we will form one of the largest Super Fast Charging Networks in China, enabling seamless e-mobility not only in major cities but also in remote areas.”

The announcement sent Xpeng’s Hong Kong-listed shares up 3.4% by market close on Monday, while Volkswagen shares rose 2% in early European trading.

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The charging infrastructure is a critical aspect of EV adoption, allowing drivers to recharge their vehicles conveniently and drive longer distances. The partnership is expected to rival Tesla’s growing Supercharger network in China, adding competition to the rapidly expanding EV market.

Volkswagen has been intensifying its focus on the Chinese EV market. In 2023, the German automaker invested $700 million in Xpeng, acquiring a 4.99% stake in the company. By 2030, Volkswagen plans to introduce at least 30 fully electric models in China across its various brands.
In addition to the charging network, Volkswagen and Xpeng are working together on two electric car models, slated for delivery in China by 2026.

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Google CEO Sundar Pichai Navigates a Year of Highs and Workforce Tensions

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Google CEO Sundar Pichai Navigates a Year of Highs and Workforce Tensions

Google’s 2024 began with a high note when its April earnings report triggered the largest rally in Alphabet shares since 2015, propelling the company’s market capitalization past $2 trillion for the first time. The results signaled to Wall Street that Google was holding its ground in the competitive AI space.

However, inside the company, a different narrative unfolded. During an all-hands meeting following the earnings announcement, a top-rated employee comment highlighted concerns about morale, trust, and cohesion within Google’s workforce. “We’ve noticed a significant decline in morale, increased distrust, and a disconnect between leadership and the workforce,” the comment read. Another highly ranked question pointed to dissatisfaction with compensation, despite the company’s stellar performance.

These sentiments reflected broader challenges for CEO Sundar Pichai, who faced growing scrutiny from employees amid product missteps, layoffs, and questions about his vision for the company.

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Despite internal tensions, Pichai guided Google through a year of solid financial growth. The company saw strong revenue in key segments, including search advertising and cloud services. It also advanced its AI strategy, overcoming early product setbacks that included some high-profile embarrassments. By the end of 2024, Google’s stock had risen over 40%, outperforming the S&P 500 but lagging behind competitors like Meta and Amazon.

Internal shake-ups, including layoffs and reorganizations, further fueled unease among employees. Conversations with staff, recordings, and internal correspondence revealed a vocal workforce questioning the company’s direction and expressing concerns about leadership’s ability to maintain Google’s culture of innovation and trust.

As Google continues to evolve in the face of intense market competition and workforce expectations, Pichai remains at the center of navigating the delicate balance between meeting financial goals and addressing employee concerns.

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