TechCrunch Mobility: Lyft buys its way into Europe, Kodiak SPACs, and how China’s new ADAS rules might affect Tesla

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Enough with my typical little conversation. Let’s jump to the news immediately this week. And including many LittEnter Europe, AV Start Crackdown The first driver going to Japan Lucid Gravity SUVa few New York International Auto Show moments and a gap.

Yes, the spac is back. Or did this financial instrument really move away?

Come.

Some birds

Some people told us that some people would ahead of many people, many obstacles can be “highways in the heavens” in many obstacles. This includes working with real estate owners in rural areas to build vittipports and charging infrastructure. The pitch? This infrastructure has the potential to increase property value in the future.

We are dealing with this to get more information!

Do you have a clue for us? Email Kirsten Corosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or alert on Kkorosec.07, Sean O’Kane sean.okane@techcrunch.comor Rebecca Bellan rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com. Or check These hints To learn to contact us via encrypted messaging apps or securedrop.

Deals!

I expected several more iPods in 2025 from the previous year, but the spaclar? That’s not. And yet, here’s one we have fresh combination Between the autonomous vehicle technology Kodiak robotics and special purpose sales company II Purchase Corporation Ares.

About 243 million dollars, the transactions that make about $ 2.5 billion dollars coordinate values. A new and existing Kodiak institutional investors such as Soros Fund management, ARC investment and ARES are financed or financed or financed to support the transaction or financed about 551 million cash.

I talked to the Codiak founder and CEO Don Burnette And the open question asked: a complication? Now? Why?

“Kodiak, now we have launched the driver, we have vehicles on the road, we have a driverless deficiency,” he said. “Now we think it’s time for growth. We want to take advantage of the tail we see in the markets.”

The tail? I wanted to explain from him, and the burns, unlike the wider economic markets, I meant tail in the autonomy sector.

“Obviously, we see short-term variability – this is a bit,” he said. “But we are really thinking about it, using it, using technology and automation using the technology, using technology, using AI. It is always something I believe.”

Other deals that receive my attention …

NeedleElectric Central Engines, who are released from rare land elements, a start at a start 20 million dollar seeds round Including investors, including real businesses, Mac enterprises, MFV partners and others. Rohit Sharma has joined the sweet board of real enterprises.

WatermelonMexico-based online use car dealer, Raised $ 127 million During a capital era, reduce its assessment to $ 2.2 billion for $ 2.2 billion. Round SoftBank has been together by Group Corp and the General Atlantic. The company provided $ 400 million to $ 400 million.

Litt agreed to obtain Freewow is a German multi-mobility application from BMW and Mercedes-Benzage Mobility, which is up to $ 197 million in cash. The purchase opens the European market for the first time for LYFT.

NicheBritish home charging start, Raised $ 30 million In funding carried out by IQ capital and latitude. Strategic partners including Scania Investment and Takasago Industry also took part.

Reads outstanding and other Tidbits

Adas

Chinese Automatic machines decrease how the driver advertises the properties of the driver, Conditions of Healing Like “self-driving” and “Smart Driving” as “Autonomous Driving”. If you immediately thought of Tesla And it should be noted that his “full-driving” program has changed the car manufacturer. However, TESLA and others will be affected by the rules on extreme weather programs for Adas, who require testing and government approval.

Autonomous Vehicles

Crackdown Will start collecting mapping and information In Japan To use autonomous vehicles (from retrofed prius cars) from the US fleet.

Unfortunate and Uber This summer is preparing to start the Robotaxi service in Atlanta. Uber The “List of Interest” opened This week’s customers in Atlanta. The two companies have launched the Waymo service in Austin in March. Information from the market analytical company Yipitdata, set out about 20% walking The last week of March is offered by Uber in Austin.

Zamx have Partner with stingray musicThrough the touch screen inside Robotaxis, 16 will offer one whirlpool of the station. Another sign is preparing to launch ZOOX commercial.

Electric vehicles, charging and batteries

Lime will Send batteries Redwood materials will produce critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and copper, are used in scooters and e-bikes to Redwood materials.

Every time His debut did 2026 EV4 before In New York International Auto Show. This company was developed for the first global electric sedan and customers looking for a suitable home. Will Americans buy?

TechCrunch Contributor Abigail Bassett had a new electric driving day Lucid Gravity SUV. Read the full feedback and learn why gravity writes “Excessive engineering over the best.”

Rivians first insemorous Customer Hellofresh.

Subaru He presented his second house, a car like a wagon It is called a talist It includes a little Toyota handicraft as Soltherra as the predecessor.

The future of flight

Archer Aviation The suggestion was announced Air taxi network for New York City In partnership with United Airlingy, which allows passengers to go on an archer trip to traditional air tickets.

Walking

India has launched an investigation into the market regulator Gensol Engineering After the claim was found Abuse of electric motor vehicles. BlutmartOnce a Uber opponent, which once appeared in the South Asian market, Gensol, who was connected with Gensol, was swept on the investigation. Now it seems to be Blusmart Suspended services in some Indian cities.

Safety

Hertz Customers were notified of a Info included personal information and driving licenses. Hertz, a seller, the software producer was broken CleoIt was this last year In the center of the mass hack campaign with a ransomware gang associated with a prolific Russian.