⚡ The Mobility Revolution Just Got REAL

Buckle up, tech warriors! This week’s mobility landscape is shifting faster than a Tesla Plaid hitting 60mph. We’re talking seismic leadership changes, trademark wars, and trade tariffs that are reshaping the industry overnight.

🔥 Aurora’s Co-Founder Bails at PEAK Moment

Remember when Aurora barely cleared its deadline for launching driverless trucks? Well hold onto your steering wheels – CPO and co-founder Sterling Anderson just dropped a bombshell resignation right as they’re expanding operations!

“Leaving Aurora is one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made… This is precisely what gave me the confidence that now is the right time.”

Sterling Anderson, Aurora Outgoing CPO

While Anderson teases an “iconic global company” move, Aurora’s charging ahead with:

• 🌙 Nighttime autonomous trucking by late 2025
• ⛈️ Adverse weather operations (rain/heavy wind)
• 🛣️ Major route expansion to Houston, El Paso & Phoenix

💥 Tesla’s Trademark TROUBLE

Elon’s facing a legal roadblock as the USPTO just torpedoed Tesla’s “Robotaxi” trademark for being too generic. Their “Cybercab” filing? Also stuck in neutral due to competing “Cyber” marks. Ouch.

🌎 Trade War Fallout: The Domino Effect

The U.S.-China trade war isn’t just political theater – it’s rewriting the auto industry playbook in real-time:

• 🇨🇳 Zeekr going private after just 1 year on NYSE
• 📉 Ford/GM withdrawing guidance amid tariff chaos
• 💰 Rivian deliveries slashed (40-46K EVs) due to regulatory changes
• 💸 Mustang Mach-E prices jumping $2K from Mexican tariffs

🤑 The BIG Money Moves

While some struggle, others are printing money:

• 🚛 Bosch Ventures launching $270M deep tech fund
• 🔋 Breathe securing $21M Series B for battery software
• 🍔 DoorDash spending $5B+ on Deliveroo & Seven Rooms acquisitions
• 🤖 Uber dropping $100M on WeRide AV expansion

🚨 The Wildcard Plays

The mobility space never sleeps – check these game-changing moves:

• 👨‍⚕️ Ex-Cruise president Mo Elshenawy jumps to Hims & Hers as CTO
• 🎰 Nuro testing AVs on the Vegas Strip (high stakes indeed)
• ✈️ Joby Aviation pushing eVTOL launch to 2026
• 🇬🇧 Wayve rolling out the red carpet for Richard Branson

🔮 What’s Next?

One thing’s certain – in this high-stakes mobility race, only the agile will survive. With tariffs reshaping supply chains, AV tech hitting make-or-break moments, and leadership musical chairs in full swing, Q2 2025 might just be the most pivotal quarter in transportation history.

Want the inside track? Hit up our mobility dream team:

• 📧 Kirsten Korosec: kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com
• 📱 Sean O’Kane: sean.okane@techcrunch.com
• 🔐 Rebecca Bellan: rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com