The Fast Lane: Your Monthly Automotive Adrenaline Shot

CX Insights - Trend Watch - Automotive Industry (ICYMI April 2025)

| AUTO SHOW EXTRAVAGANZA: THE HEAVY HITTERS TAKE CENTER STAGE

The 2025 New York International Auto Show wasn’t just an exhibition – it was automotive theater. Stellantis commanded impressive floor space with their 100-year Chrysler celebration (a century of automotive excellence deserves the spotlight). Their Camp Jeep returned with the tallest and steepest hill climb ever, giving attendees a taste of genuine off-road capability in the middle of Manhattan.

 Meanwhile Hyundai, Kia and Genesis – along with Subaru – captivated audiences with boldly innovative models. The Genesis X Gran Equator Concept looks like it’s ready for any terrain, whether navigating city streets or venturing where traditional luxury vehicles fear to tread. 

| BATTERY BREAKTHROUGHS: FASTER, STRONGER & REMARKABLY RESILIENT

Wave goodbye to range anxiety, that persistent concern for EV owners. Stellantis and Factorial Energy have validated a solid-state battery that charges from 15% to 90% in just 18 minutes – transforming quick stops into productive charging sessions. Even more impressive, it operates in temperatures as low as -22°F, ensuring reliability when winter throws its worst your way. This isn’t just incremental progress; it’s a leap toward making EVs practical for everyone, everywhere.

| AUTONOMOUS EVERYTHING: BECAUSE HUMANS ARE SO LAST CENTURY

This month demonstrated across-the-board gains in autonomous driving. The Volkswagen Group is advancing in-house self-driving tech with Horizon Robotics, demonstrating how legacy automakers continue to innovate at the cutting edge. The NHTSA’s new automated vehicle framework promises to streamline regulations in a way that balances innovation with safety – a win for manufacturers and consumers alike. Uber Eats has introduced Serve Robotics’ AI-powered delivery bots in Dallas, showcasing how automotive technology extends beyond traditional vehicles into new mobility solutions.

| FLYING CARS & AIR TAXIS: EXPANDING THE TRANSPORTATION HORIZON

The vertical mobility revolution is accelerating faster than expected. EHang’s approval for pilotless flying taxis in China represents a regulatory milestone for the industry. United Airlines and Archer Aviation’s upcoming air taxi network in New York City promises to transform urban mobility with five-to-15-minute flights between Manhattan and major airports – potentially alleviating one of the world’s most notorious commutes. For those looking toward personal aviation, AltoVolo’s flying vehicle with its 500-mile range and 220 mph cruising speed shows how quickly boundaries between automotive and aerospace technologies are blurring.

| FINAL THOUGHTS: A THRILLING ROAD AHEAD

The transportation evolution is unfolding before our eyes, bringing unprecedented choice and capability. While industry tariff conversations continue to simmer in the background (and we’ll continue to monitor those developments), this month we’ve chosen to spotlight what automakers do best: innovate despite challenges. Whether it’s advanced EVs with next-generation battery technology, autonomous delivery solutions creating new service possibilities, or vertical mobility options opening the skies to everyday transportation, one thing is certain: the future of mobility has never been more exciting.

So what captures your imagination? A solid-state battery EV that redefines reliability? A robotic delivery network that transforms urban logistics? Or a personal flying vehicle that reimagines the daily commute? Whatever direction the industry takes, innovation is accelerating – and we’re all along for the remarkable ride, even as the broader automotive landscape navigates its share of economic crosswinds.