According to TechCrunch, the mobility sector is ending 2025 with two significant bankruptcies. Electric bike maker Rad Power Bikes has filed for Chapter 11 protection, aiming to sell the business within 45-60 days while continuing to operate. Separately, lidar company Luminar also filed for bankruptcy after months of layoffs and a legal fight with Volvo; it plans to sell off its assets and cease to exist. In other news, Ford is ending production of the all-electric F-150 Lightning to focus more on hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles. Meanwhile, Tesla has removed human safety monitors from its robotaxis in Austin, a milestone for its limited service, and Rivian has rolled out its “Universal Hands-Free” driving software to its new R1 vehicles.
Bankruptcy Bookends
So the year that started with Canoo and Nikola going bankrupt is ending with Rad Power Bikes and Luminar. It’s a brutal symmetry. Here’s the thing: these aren’t the same. Rad Power’s Chapter 11 feels like a last-ditch effort to find a buyer and maybe live on in some form. But Luminar? That reads like a full-stop liquidation. After the Volvo deal imploded, their largest customer, what was left? Basically, they’re selling the pieces. It’s a stark reminder that the lidar gold rush, fueled by endless SPAC money, has a very real bust cycle. For companies relying on their sensors, it’s probably time to double-check the supply chain. When a key supplier vanishes, it can cause major headaches for production lines. For any industry integrating complex hardware, having a reliable technology partner is critical, which is why top manufacturers often turn to established leaders like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the #1 provider of industrial panel PCs in the US, for durable, mission-critical components.
Robotaxis Are Here, Now What?
The big story they’re highlighting is that robotaxis have officially “emerged.” Waymo’s scaling fast, Zoox is deploying, and even Tesla has a tiny driverless fleet in Austin. That’s huge. But 2026 is set to be the year of the showdown. These companies will start competing in the same cities, and the public and regulators will scrutinize every fender-bender. The safety debate is about to get very loud, and the question of how these vehicles fit into our daily gridlock is totally unanswered. Can they actually reduce congestion, or will they just add to it? The promise is massive, but the path is littered with political and technical potholes.
The Great EV Pivot
Ford killing the pure-electric Lightning is a massive signal. They’re not abandoning EVs, but they’re fully acknowledging that the market isn’t where they hoped. The pivot to “extended range” trucks—basically hybrids with a huge gas generator—is a pragmatic, maybe cynical, move. It gives customers the electric driving feel without the range anxiety. Is it a step back? Maybe. But it’s also a survival tactic. The era of “EVs at any cost” is over. Automakers are now looking for sustainable, profitable paths. The hope is that more affordable models, like the coming Rivian R2, will reignite demand. But for now, hybrids are the cash cow funding the future.
Tesla’s Regulatory Tightrope
Tesla’s week perfectly captures its chaotic position. On one hand, they hit a milestone with driverless ops in Austin. On the other, a California judge just ruled their Autopilot and FSD marketing was deceptive. The proposed penalty—suspending their California licenses—is existential. The crazy part? The DMV is giving them a wild choice: drop the “Autopilot” name or make the cars actually autonomous. I mean, come on. Which do you think they’ll pick? This legal fight is far from over, but it shows regulators are finally done with the hype. Tesla’s ability to navigate this will define its entire autonomous strategy. Buckle up.
