【环球时报驻德国特约记者 青木】近日，中国与欧盟就电动汽车案实现"软着陆"，受到国际各界主流 媒体的广泛关注。中欧业界普遍认为电动汽车案"软着陆"将显著提振市场信心，为中欧汽车贸易投资合 作注入新的动力。与此同时，市场研究机构Dataforce初步数据显示，去年12月中国车企在欧洲的销量首 次突破10万辆，同比增长127%。 在此背景下，德国《西德意志报》报道称，德国波鸿汽车研究所主任、被业界誉为"汽车教父"的费迪南 德·杜登霍夫教授认为德国"应该更多转向中国"，并表示"美国对我们很危险"。值此中欧汽车关系迎来 新发展节点之际，《环球时报》就相关话题专访杜登霍夫。 "两国产业优势可以结合起来" 环球时报：1月12日，中国商务部与欧盟委员会同步宣布了双方达成的重要共识。欧方正式发布《关于 提交价格承诺申请的指导文件》（简称《指导文件》），中国电动汽车企业可依据《指导文件》内容提 交价格承诺申请。您认为，这一进展将给中欧汽车产业合作带来哪些积极影响？ 杜登霍夫：我们目前看到的情况是，中国电动汽车在德国和欧洲的售价远高于中国本土价格。因此，如 果欧盟取消关税并设立最低价格，对中国汽车制造商来说将是一项利好。德国和欧 ...

Core Viewpoint - Lidar manufacturer Luminar Technologies has reached an agreement to sell its lidar business to a quantum computing company for $22 million, but the deal may change if a better offer is received before the deadline [1][3]. Group 1: Company Overview - Luminar Technologies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December last year and previously announced plans to sell its semiconductor subsidiary for $110 million to the same quantum computing company [1][3]. - The founder and former CEO, Austin Russell, has expressed interest in bidding for the lidar assets and had attempted to acquire the entire company before the bankruptcy filing [1][3]. Group 2: Financial Implications - The lead bid of $22 million indicates a significant decline in Luminar's valuation, which peaked at approximately $11 billion in 2021, based on expectations of widespread adoption of its lidar sensors by major automakers like Volvo [2][4]. - Volvo had planned to purchase over 1 million units of the lidar sensors but ultimately abandoned the deal in 2025, leading to the collapse of partnerships with other automakers like Mercedes-Benz and Polestar [2][4]. Group 3: Quantum Computing Company Background - The quantum computing company, established in 2001 and originally a ticketing company, shifted its focus to quantum computing and optical technology after a restructuring process [5]. - In 2025, the company raised over $700 million through stock issuance, but its revenue for the first three quarters of last year was only $384,000 [5].

Core Viewpoint - Citigroup analysts predict that NVIDIA's new AI platform, open models, and ecosystem will create demand for autonomous ride-hailing services and support global growth [1] Group 1: Market Growth Projections - The global autonomous taxi market is expected to grow from $4.43 billion in 2025 to $188.91 billion by 2034 [1] - The potential market for autonomous taxis in China is projected to increase from $39 million in 2025 to $67.59 billion by 2035 [1] Group 2: Beneficiaries of Growth - NVIDIA's initiatives may boost investor confidence and directly benefit companies like Pony.ai and WeRide from a software perspective [1] - Automotive manufacturers such as BYD, Geely, Great Wall Motors, SAIC Motor, and Xiaomi, as well as ride-hailing platform Didi, are likely to benefit from the growth of the autonomous taxi industry [1] - In the hardware sector, Chinese lidar sensor manufacturer Hesai Technology is expected to gain from this market expansion [1]

Core Viewpoint - Teradar has launched its first flagship terahertz sensor, named Summit, which aims to fill the gap left by traditional radar and lidar sensors, offering high performance in all weather conditions [1][10]. Group 1: Product Features and Technology - The Summit sensor is designed to operate in the terahertz frequency range, which has not been fully utilized, and features a solid-state design with no moving parts [1][4]. - Teradar claims that its sensor can provide 20 times the resolution of traditional automotive radar and maintains performance in adverse weather conditions [11][12]. - The modular design of the sensor allows customization for specific Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) or autonomous driving needs, with an expected price range in the hundreds of dollars [7][8]. Group 2: Market Context and Competition - The launch of Teradar's sensor comes at a time when automotive sensor suppliers are facing challenges, including the bankruptcy of Luminar after losing contracts with major automakers [2]. - Chinese companies are aggressively entering the lidar market, with plans to produce over 1 million lidar sensors by 2025, increasing competition for Teradar [2]. - Other U.S. companies in the lidar space are diversifying into robotics and smart infrastructure, indicating a shift in market focus [2]. Group 3: Partnerships and Future Prospects - Teradar has secured $150 million in Series B funding, with investments from Lockheed Martin's venture capital arm and VXI Capital, indicating strong interest in its technology [2][5]. - The company is collaborating with five major automotive manufacturers and three tier-one suppliers to validate its technology, with plans to begin shipping the Summit sensor in 2028 [1][10]. - Teradar's technology is positioned as a complementary or alternative solution to existing sensor suites, addressing the limitations of current sensor technologies [10][13].

Core Viewpoint - The collapse of Luminar, a leading American lidar company, coincides with a legislative push in the U.S. to exclude Chinese sensors from critical infrastructure, highlighting the shift of lidar technology from a commercial competition to a geopolitical battleground [1][3]. Group 1: Legislative Actions and Market Impact - A new bill proposed by U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi aims to phase out Chinese-made lidar sensors in autonomous vehicles and critical infrastructure under the guise of national security [3][4]. - The bill sets a timeline for banning new purchases within three years and replacing existing equipment within five years, citing concerns over potential cyberattacks during conflicts [4]. - Concurrently, Luminar Technologies filed for bankruptcy, reporting assets between $100 million and $500 million against liabilities of $500 million to $1 billion, marking a significant downturn for a company once partnered with major automakers [7]. Group 2: Luminar's Business Model and Challenges - Luminar's strategy focused on a superior 1550 nm lidar technology, which was initially seen as a path to advanced autonomous driving, leading to a peak market valuation of nearly $10 billion in 2020 [8][11]. - However, the high costs associated with 1550 nm technology, reliant on expensive materials, resulted in unsustainable pricing, with sales failing to cover manufacturing costs [11]. - In contrast, Chinese competitors like Hesai and RoboSense successfully reduced costs to around $200, integrating into major automotive supply chains, which Luminar could not match [11][13]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Competitive Landscape - The global lidar market is dominated by Chinese firms, holding 93% of the passenger vehicle lidar market and 89% of the overall lidar market, with the "Big Four" Chinese companies capturing 88% of the market [13][15]. - The rapid decline in lidar costs and improvements in reliability have transformed lidar from a high-tech product to a mass-market component, driven by demand in robotics and industrial automation [16][18]. - The U.S. legislative response reflects a growing anxiety over supply chain security, as evidenced by the inclusion of Hesai in a list of entities linked to the Chinese military [19][20]. Group 4: Future Outlook and Competitive Strategies - The future of lidar technology will depend on the ability to provide comprehensive perception solutions that integrate hardware and software, rather than just competing on technical specifications [21]. - Companies that can navigate specific application scenarios and build strong ecosystem partnerships will likely establish a competitive edge in the evolving market landscape [21].

Core Viewpoint - Luminar, a North American laser sensor startup, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, reflecting significant challenges in the lidar industry and the company's operational struggles [6][8][25]. Group 1: Company Overview - Luminar's assets are estimated between $100 million and $500 million, while liabilities range from $500 million to $1 billion [8]. - The company had a market valuation of approximately $11.9 billion at its peak in 2020, which has since declined to about $1.38 billion in 2023 [13]. - Luminar has secured a temporary agreement with creditors to access $25 million in cash to support operations during the bankruptcy process [13]. Group 2: Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Luminar reported revenue of $18.87 million, with a gross loss of $8.1 million and a free cash flow of -$48.5 million [20]. - The company experienced a net loss of $571 million in 2023, with revenue of approximately $69.78 million [22]. - For 2024, Luminar's revenue slightly increased to $75.4 million, but it still faced a net loss of $273 million [22]. Group 3: Key Events Leading to Bankruptcy - The termination of a contract with Volvo, which accounted for 90% of Luminar's lidar sensor deliveries, was a critical factor leading to the bankruptcy filing [16][18]. - Disputes arose between Luminar and Volvo regarding contract obligations and technology alignment, contributing to the breakdown of their partnership [18]. - The departure of CEO Austin Russell in May 2025 due to an ethics investigation marked the beginning of a series of leadership changes that destabilized the company [24]. Group 4: Market Context - The lidar market in China is thriving, with projections indicating a market size of approximately 13.96 billion yuan in 2024, a significant increase from 7.59 billion yuan in 2023 [14]. - Major Chinese companies like Hesai Technology and RoboSense are capturing over 90% of the market share, contrasting sharply with Luminar's struggles [14]. - The challenges faced by Luminar highlight the structural issues within the lidar industry, including high R&D costs and a concentrated customer base [25].

Core Viewpoint - Luminar Technologies, a US lidar sensor manufacturer, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, facing significant financial distress with assets between $100 million and $500 million and liabilities ranging from $500 million to $1 billion [1] Group 1: Financial Situation - Luminar has agreed to sell its subsidiary, Luminar Semiconductor, for $110 million in cash to a quantum computing company, pending court approval for better offers [1] - The company has experienced a drastic stock price drop, falling nearly 61% and then over 13% in after-hours trading, with shares priced at $0.306 [1] Group 2: Management and Operational Challenges - The founder, Austin Russell, resigned as CEO in May due to investigations into business conduct and ethical standards [1] - Luminar has undergone its second round of layoffs this year, totaling approximately 25% of its workforce, and has seen the departure of its CFO [1] Group 3: Client and Partnership Issues - The company faced a major setback when Volvo, a key early supporter and its largest customer this year, canceled a five-year partnership agreement in November [1]

Core Viewpoint - Luminar Technologies, a US lidar sensor manufacturer, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with assets between $100 million and $500 million and liabilities ranging from $500 million to $1 billion [1] Group 1: Financial Situation - Luminar has agreed to sell its subsidiary, Luminar Semiconductor, for $110 million in cash to a quantum computing company, pending court approval for better offers [1] - The company has experienced significant stock price decline, falling nearly 61% and then over 13% in after-hours trading, with shares priced at $0.306 [1] Group 2: Management and Operational Challenges - The founder, Austin Russell, resigned as CEO amid investigations into business conduct and ethical standards [1] - Luminar has conducted its second round of layoffs this year, totaling approximately 25% of its workforce, and has seen the departure of its CFO [1] Group 3: Client and Partnership Issues - The company faced a major setback when Volvo, a key early supporter and its largest customer this year, canceled a five-year partnership agreement [1] - Multiple loan defaults have occurred, and the SEC is investigating the company [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a proposal by U.S. lawmakers to phase out Chinese-made sensors, particularly LiDAR technology, used in autonomous vehicles and critical infrastructure due to national security concerns, highlighting the dominance of Chinese companies in this market [1][2][3]. Group 1: Legislative Actions - U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced a bill to gradually eliminate the use of Chinese LiDAR sensors, with a ban on new purchases starting in three years, while allowing exemptions for scientific and cybersecurity research [2][3]. - The bill includes a five-year transition period for existing equipment used in critical infrastructure [2]. Group 2: Market Dominance - Chinese companies dominate the LiDAR market, holding 93% of the passenger vehicle market share and 89% of the overall LiDAR market, according to Yole Group [2][3]. - The report identifies four major Chinese LiDAR manufacturers—Hesai Technology, RoboSense, Huawei, and TuSimple—collectively referred to as the "Big Four," which control 88% of the market [3][6]. Group 3: National Security Concerns - National security organizations warn that Chinese LiDAR could pose hacking risks during conflicts, potentially disabling large areas of the U.S. infrastructure within seconds [3][9]. - The U.S. Department of Defense has listed major Chinese LiDAR manufacturers as entities that assist the Chinese military, indicating a strong governmental stance against these companies [3][8]. Group 4: Ongoing Investigations - In November 2023, a group of 20 U.S. lawmakers urged the Biden administration to investigate all Chinese LiDAR companies for potential sanctions [6]. - The Department of Defense updated its list of Chinese military-related companies, including Hesai Technology, further intensifying scrutiny on these firms [7][8].

Group 1 - The U.S. House of Representatives is targeting Chinese lidar sensors used in autonomous vehicles and critical infrastructure, proposing a bill to phase them out due to security concerns [1][3] - The bill mandates a ban on new procurement of Chinese lidar sensors after three years, with exemptions for research and cybersecurity, and a five-year transition period for existing equipment [1][3] - Chinese companies dominate the lidar market, holding 93% of the global passenger vehicle lidar market and 89% of the overall lidar market, according to Yole Group [1] Group 2 - The proposal is driven by fears that Chinese lidar technology could be exploited in conflicts, potentially leading to widespread system failures in the U.S. [3][4] - The U.S. Department of Defense has listed Hesai Technology, a major lidar manufacturer, on its military-related entity list, although the company denies any military sales [4] - The narrative of a "Chinese threat" has become a reflexive discourse in the West, reflecting an imbalance in the technological competition mindset [4][5]