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In a significant leap forward for the automotive industry, Lucid Motors, the American electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced the deployment of its first fully in-house developed autonomous driving system on its Air sedans and Gravity SUVs. This development marks a milestone, as Lucid is the first traditional EV car manufacturer to do so, according to recent search results.
The new software update features an extensive sensor suite, including lidar and radar, which enables advanced hands-free driving and automated functions. This move positions Lucid at the forefront of autonomous driving technology, setting a high bar for other manufacturers in the industry.
While companies such as Waymo, Tesla, and Volkswagen Group (through CARIAD) are also actively developing autonomous driving systems, Lucid's offering stands out as a fully in-house solution. Waymo originated as a Google/Alphabet project, not a traditional car manufacturer, and Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems are considered advanced driver-assistance rather than fully autonomous. Volkswagen's upcoming software stack is a result of a partnership rather than a single manufacturer's fully in-house system.
Meanwhile, other developments in the automotive sector are also making headlines. Renault Group has opened up its 'Fireman Access' technology to the industry, enabling emergency services to put out electric vehicle fires in a few minutes. Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to offer ICE-based light-commercial vehicles alongside electric powertrains on a single architecture, with all-electric models based on the Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) to be introduced in 2026.
In trade-related news, proposed tariffs could come into effect as soon as 2 April, with Donald Trump indicating he is considering imposing tariffs of around 25% on automotive goods imported from the EU. The tariffs could potentially include semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
In the realm of electric vehicles, Dacia has begun work on a sub €18,000 city car for Europe, as the successor to the Dacia Spring. Volkswagen has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese battery manufacturer CATL to deepen their partnership in researching and developing batteries. Audi is adding an entry-level variant to its all-electric lineup with the Q4 40 e-Tron, priced at £46,600 (€56,280) in the UK.
Stellantis has also unveiled its STLA AutoDrive technology, its first automated driving system developed in-house, which operates at SAE Level 3. BMW has revealed its sixth generation eDrive technology, offering 30% faster charging and a 30% increase in range. Research on STLA AutoDrive is ongoing, with future advances potentially unlocking hands-free and eyes-off operation at speeds up to 95kph.
Lastly, electric transport groups have urged the EU not to agree to slower phasing in targets or multi-year average fines, suggesting fines should subsidize the bloc's transition to electric vehicles. Maroš Šefčovič, European commissioner for trade and economic security, has stated that the EU sees no justification for sudden, unilateral tariff increases by the US.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these developments unfold and shape the future of transportation.
Lucid Motors' in-house developed autonomous driving system, deployed on its Air sedans and Gravity SUVs, places the company at the forefront of autonomous driving technology in the industry, alongside tech-heavy competitors like Waymo, Tesla, and Volkswagen's CARIAD. Meanwhile, Stellantis has also developed its STLA AutoDrive technology, operating at SAE Level 3, to rival these advancements in the automotive sector.
