Welcome once again to TechCrunch Mobility, your comprehensive gateway and authoritative resource for everything related to the ever-evolving “future of transportation.” If you would like to ensure that these detailed insights arrive directly in your inbox each week, you can sign up for free by simply clicking TechCrunch Mobility.
The transportation sector in the past year has been nothing short of tumultuous. It opened with a wave of financial instability marked by the bankruptcies of companies such as Canoo and Nikola—two once-promising ventures that sought to redefine mobility through innovation. Now, as the year draws to a close, the industry finds itself confronted with another pair of insolvencies, signaling the unrelenting volatility that continues to define this space. Rad Power Bikes, an energetic player in the electric bicycle market, is bringing its operations to an abrupt pause with the filing of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Just a few weeks ago, company representatives had cautioned staff that without additional investment or financing, the possibility of a shutdown loomed large. According to a statement provided to TechCrunch, Rad Power Bikes will sustain limited operations throughout the legal proceedings, aiming to secure a buyer for the enterprise within a 45- to 60-day period.
Simultaneously, another poignant collapse has occurred with Luminar, the once-celebrated lidar manufacturer that aspired to be a cornerstone of autonomous vehicle safety. The company also filed for bankruptcy this week—but unlike restructurings meant to offer a second chance, Luminar’s filing appears to mark the beginning of a complete dissolution. Following months of workforce reductions, high-profile departures within its executive ranks, and a tense legal conflict with its most significant corporate partner, Volvo, Luminar’s bankruptcy documentation makes clear its intention to sell its assets. In fact, the firm has already negotiated an agreement to divest its semiconductor division. Although operations will persist temporarily to reduce disruptions for both customers and suppliers, the company as it has been known will eventually cease to exist once the bankruptcy process concludes. As senior reporter Sean O’Kane analyzed, Luminar’s unfortunate entanglement with Volvo ultimately proved to be a decisive factor in dragging the lidar producer toward financial ruin—a cautionary tale of dependency in the intricate world of automotive tech partnerships.
Yet, despite this somber framing, it would be misleading to view 2025 solely through the lens of corporate collapse. The sector simultaneously witnessed abundant growth, experimentation, and the solidification of pioneering technologies. One of the year’s most striking advancements came through the maturation of the robotaxi industry. After years of tentative pilots and regulatory scrutiny, the field finally began to take shape in a tangible way. Companies adjacent to autonomous mobility—ranging from software-developing start-ups to hardware integrators—have sprung up, evidencing an expanding ecosystem that will likely blossom further in 2026.
Among the leading catalysts of this growth, Waymo stands out for accelerating its deployment across multiple cities, while Zoox and Tesla have intensified their preparations to enter similar markets. As the forthcoming year unfolds, these firms will increasingly compete head-to-head for commercial dominance. At the same time, they will encounter heightened oversight regarding both passenger safety and public integration—key considerations as automated vehicles gradually transition from novelty to normalized urban fixture.
Conversely, electric vehicles—once the crown jewel of green mobility—have endured a challenging stretch. Automakers large and small have had to reassess strategies amid shifting consumer sentiment, unpredictable supply chains, and evolving energy economics. A case in point is Ford, which just announced the discontinuation of its fully electric F-150 Lightning. This decision represents not an abandonment of electrification but a recalibration toward pragmatism. Ford is pivoting toward hybrid solutions and an “extended range electric” model that combines a traditional gasoline generator with electric propulsion, pushing total range to approximately 700 miles. Simultaneously, the company is leveraging its expertise and manufacturing scale to enter the increasingly competitive energy storage sector, potentially repurposing its vast array of battery assets. Looking further ahead, Ford remains committed to developing a midsized electric pickup, expected to reach the market by 2027.
In this context, it is worth emphasizing that the story of electric vehicles is far from concluded. Emerging models promise innovation at smaller, more affordable scales. Rivian’s upcoming R2 and Slate Auto’s forthcoming electric truck—supported by significant investor enthusiasm—represent the next wave of attainable, consumer-oriented EVs positioned to reenergize the marketplace. Their introductions in the near future are anticipated to renew optimism in electric mobility’s broader potential.
As a housekeeping note, this marks the final edition of the newsletter for the current year. When we next reconnect, I will be reporting live from Las Vegas at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the preeminent global stage for unveiling cutting-edge technology in transportation and beyond. If you plan to attend, feel free to reach out and connect. And to all readers—thank you sincerely for engaging, voting in the polls, and sharing thoughtful feedback (even the critical commentary). Your input shapes this community. Until 2026, stay curious and stay mobile.
A lighter aside to close: our reporter Jagmeet Singh, based in India, continues to uncover valuable insights from the region’s bustling startup ecosystem. His latest scoop involves Spinny, the Indian online marketplace for pre-owned vehicles. The company is finalizing a funding round of approximately $160 million, primarily to acquire GoMechanic, a car-services startup. This round, a mix of primary and secondary transactions, reportedly elevates Spinny’s valuation to about $1.8 billion post-money—a notable milestone for a decade-old enterprise navigating India’s fast-changing automotive retail landscape.
In deal-making news, the boating-sharing platforms Boatsetter and GetMyBoat announced plans to merge, uniting two companies that follow an Airbnb-like model for marine recreation. Meanwhile, Brussels-based e-bike venture Cowboy has been acquired by ReBirth Group Holding, owner of brands like Gitane, Peugeot, and Solex, signaling renewed confidence in the European micromobility sector despite Cowboy’s prior operational difficulties, including a large-scale frame recall. The financial arrangement includes approximately €15 million (about $17.6 million) reinvested by existing shareholders. Likewise, Nirvana Insurance, a trucking-focused insurtech startup, successfully raised $100 million in its Series D round led by Valor Equity Partners, joined by Lightspeed and General Catalyst, setting its new valuation at roughly $1.5 billion.
As for initiatives advancing sustainable tech, Redwood unveiled a new Battery Collection Bin patented system intended to make battery recycling accessible and safe for general consumers. This rollout will begin in San Francisco, offering secure, monitored receptacles able to handle numerous battery types and devices. On the EV innovation side, Rivian introduced its “Universal Hands-Free” driving feature—delivered through a software update—to its second-generation R1 models, allowing drivers hands-free operation on 3.5 million miles of North American roadways when lane markings are visible. For further context, senior reporter Sean O’Kane’s in-depth coverage explained Rivian’s ongoing bet on AI-powered self-driving.
Other leadership and corporate updates include the appointment of Avery Ash as the new CEO of Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) and noteworthy progress by Slate Auto, which has now accumulated more than 150,000 refundable reservations for its anticipated affordable electric truck debuting in late 2026. Speculation within the automotive industry also surrounds Sterling Anderson’s potential future ascension to CEO at GM after Mary Barra’s eventual retirement, although such conjecture may be premature given the complexity of the tasks he faces in his current role. Mark Reuss, GM’s president, remains another significant figure to watch in this transition narrative.
Tesla, meanwhile, continues to balance triumph with turmoil. The company recently removed human safety operators from its Austin-based robotaxi fleet—still numbering only in the dozens—marking a symbolic step toward full autonomy. Yet regulatory complications persist. The California Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed Tesla lacks a permit for driverless testing in the state, holding only one that mandates a safety driver behind the wheel. In parallel, Tesla is confronting legal challenges after a ruling deemed that its marketing of Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features misled consumers about actual capabilities. The DMV’s proposed sanctions—suspension of production and sales licenses—have been temporarily stayed. Tesla now faces a stark choice: either withdraw the “Autopilot” brand name or truly deliver software achieving genuine autonomy to retain its credentials within California.
And finally, one last note for regular readers: beyond TechCrunch Mobility, I also co-host Equity, TechCrunch’s acclaimed podcast exploring the business dynamics of startups and venture capital. I usually lead our Friday episodes that dissect weekly developments, and occasionally conduct in-depth interviews for Wednesday features. My latest discussion is with Jiten Behl, a partner at Eclipse Ventures and former chief growth officer at Rivian, who offers a provocative perspective on what he perceives as the dawn of a new American reindustrialization era—driven not by low-cost overseas labor, but by advanced robotic manufacturing augmented through artificial intelligence. For those interested in broader economic transformation, that episode will be well worth your listen.
Sourse: https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/21/techcrunch-mobility-bankruptcy-takes-out-two/
