Lyft Expands into Europe: Kodiak’s SPAC Journey and the Impact of China’s New ADAS Regulations on Tesla

Welcome to the latest roundup of transportation news on TechCrunch Mobility, your go-to source for insights into the evolving landscape of mobility and transportation. In this week’s edition, we’ll cover significant developments such as Lyft’s expansion into Europe, the autonomous vehicle startup Nuro’s launch in Japan, and highlights from the recent New York International Auto Show.

Exciting Developments in Transportation

This week, we have a wealth of news to share, including the return of SPACs, advancements in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology, and much more. Let’s dive right into the details!

Lyft’s European Expansion

Lyft has made headlines by announcing its plan to acquire FreeNow, a German multi-mobility app, for approximately $197 million. This acquisition marks Lyft’s first foray into the European market, expanding its ride-hailing services beyond North America.

Investment Highlights

In the world of investments, several notable deals have emerged:

• Kodiak Robotics: The autonomous vehicle technology startup has merged with Ares Acquisition Corporation II, valuing Kodiak at around $2.5 billion pre-money.
• Conifer: This startup, focusing on electric hub motors, raised $20 million in seed funding.
• Kavak: The Mexican used car dealer secured $127 million in equity funding, reducing its valuation from $6.5 billion to $2.2 billion.

Autonomous Vehicles and Regulatory Changes

As the autonomous vehicle sector continues to evolve, regulatory changes are also shaping the landscape:

• China has instituted a ban on terms like “autonomous driving” and “self-driving” in advertising, impacting major players like Tesla.
• Nuro is set to begin data collection and mapping in Japan with its retrofitted Prius cars.
• Waymo and Uber are gearing up to launch their joint robotaxi service in Atlanta this summer.

Key Highlights from the New York International Auto Show

The New York International Auto Show showcased several exciting vehicles:

• Kia’s 2026 EV4 Sedan: This marks Kia’s entry into affordable electric vehicles.
• Lucid Gravity SUV: A detailed review by TechCrunch contributor Abigail Bassett highlights its impressive features.
• Subaru’s Trailseeker: This new wagon-like SUV includes elements from Toyota.

Future of Flight and eVTOLs

Innovations in air transportation are on the rise:

• Archer Aviation has proposed an air taxi network for New York City in partnership with United Airlines.
• Developers are working on establishing vertiports and charging infrastructure to support eVTOLs, potentially increasing property values in rural areas.

Security and Data Breaches

In a concerning turn of events, Hertz has notified customers of a data breach involving personal information and driver’s licenses, attributed to a third-party vendor.

For more in-depth news and updates, visit TechCrunch Mobility. If you have insights or tips, feel free to reach out to our team!