This major smartphone OEM wants Mercedes and Audi to use its software
Huawei, a major smartphone OEM, telecom supplier, and (formerly) silicon designer, is engaging German carmakers Mercedes and Audi over a potential stake in its vehicle software business. Huawei currently supplies vehicle software to several Chinese domestic OEMs, including Seres Group, Changan Automobile, and Arcfox, as well its own joint ventures, Luxeed (co-owned by Chery) and Avatr (co-owned by CATL).
According to the report from Automotive News Europe, Huawei is enticing Mercedes and Audi to buy small stakes in its automotive technology group — likely laying the foundation for partnerships on software (i.e., for Audi and Mercedes to use Huawei’s in-vehicle OS and possibly its artificial intelligence suite). This comes on the heels of rumors that Huawei is trying to sell off its automotive business unit entirely, likely as part of efforts to distance the division from Huawei itself, which remains the target of crippling US sanctions.
Apparently, Mercedes has all but turned down Huawei, saying it has no interest in the venture and wishes to continue developing its own vehicle software in-house. The report is much less certain about Audi’s response, but as part of the larger VW Group, Audi is heavily invested in the work coming out of Cariad, Volkswagen’s own software division. However, given Cariad’s recent struggles — which possibly led to Porsche’s decision to adopt Android Automotive — perhaps Audi is interested in exploring alternatives.
That same report says Audi and Huawei could partner on autonomous driving technology… for vehicles in the Chinese market produced as part of Audi’s venture with FAW Group.
Electrek’s Take
As someone who covered Huawei extensively in my career as a tech journalist, I’m very familiar with its struggles in the international market. After brutal US sanctions were enacted, Huawei’s presence globally vanished almost overnight. While it sold off its Honor smartphone unit (though Huawei phones remain on sale in China), Huawei still has its hands in many, many businesses — automotive is just one on a long list.
Now, whether Huawei’s in-vehicle software is actually good is another question entirely. My suspicion is not that Huawei anticipates western car manufacturers wanting to adopt that software in the cars they sell in their home markets, but for the cars they sell and co-manufacture in China. The Chinese market has rather different expectations and standards when it comes to what constitutes “good” software; take a look at any Chinese smartphone running domestic apps and services and you’ll feel utterly bombarded by information and garish design elements. Couple that with the overhead of providing proper localization for all the content and interfaces in a car, and it’s not hard to see why working with a third-party software supplier for China-specific vehicles could be a defensible business position.
However, vehicle OEMs feel a deep sense of ownership over all elements of their products, even the ones they aren’t directly responsible for creating. This has been a real sticking point in getting manufacturers to adopt Android Automotive and the next generation of CarPlay, both of which tend to have applications that look and feel like their respective parent mobile operating systems (and also prominently feature their services). While Android Automotive is available as an open source platform that is fully de-Googled, I personally believe there remains intense stigma in the OEM space about using a Google software product in a vehicle. Whether that stigma is deserved is harder to say, because I don’t believe Google’s strong-arming of smartphone manufacturers over Android’s look, feel, and function would be at all replicable in the automotive space.
My guess on this whole story is that Huawei simply wants the attention in media because it believes any press is good press at this point. The company’s car software being mentioned in the same breath as brands like Audi and Mercedes supports its high valuation in the private marketplace and potentially gets it in the door for conversations with other brands. But if Mercedes’ response is any indicator, I still have serious doubts Huawei will convince anyone outside China to play ball, let alone that it can escape the US-inflicted taint on its brand.
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Electric vehicles’ share of the market continues to climb in America’s second city, with BEV registrations up more than 50% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period last year. Great news, but charging hasn’t up – but a new plan from Chicago Department of Transportation aims to build up enough infrastructure for the city to keep up.
In a bid to keep up with the rapid growth of EVs, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT is currently seeking public feedback on a plan called “Chicago Moves Electric Framework.” The city’s first such plan, it outlines initiatives that include a curbside charging pilot through the city’s utility, ComEd, and expanded charging access in key areas throughout the city.
Unlike other such plans, however, the new plan aims to focus on bringing electric vehicle charging to EIEC and low income communities, too.
“Through this framework, we are setting clear goals and identifying solutions that reflect the voices of our residents, communities, and regional partners,” said CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney. “By prioritizing equity and public input, we’re creating a roadmap for electric transportation that serves every neighborhood and helps drive down emissions across Chicago.”
Neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Chicago experience a disproportionate amount of air pollution and diesel emissions, largely due to vehicle emissions according to CDOT. Despite that, most of Chicago’s public charging stations are clustered in higher-income areas while just 7.8% are in environmental justice neighborhoods that face higher environmental burdens.
“Too often, communities facing the greatest economic and transportation barriers also experience the most air pollution,” explains Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “By prioritizing investments in historically underserved areas and making clean transportation options more affordable and accessible, we can improve both mobility and public health.”
The Framework identifies other near-term policy objectives, as well – such as streamlining the EV charger installation process for businesses and residents and implementing “Low-Emission Zones” in areas disproportionately impacted by air pollution by limiting, or even restricting, access to conventional medium- and heavy-duty vehicles during peak hours.
The Chicago Moves Electric Framework includes the installation of Level 2 and DC fast charging stations in public locations such as libraries and Chicago’s Midway Airport, “supporting not only personal EVs but also electric taxis, ride-hail and commercial fleets.”
Chicago has a goal of installing 2,500 public passenger EV charging stations and electrifying the city’s entire municipal vehicle fleet by 2035.
Electrek’s Take
I hate to sound like a bed-wetting liberal here, guys, but Chicago is getting EVs absolutely right with big utility incentives on both vehicles and infrastructure, a governor willing to stand behind smart environmental policy, and a solid push for more and better infrastructure in the areas where they’ll do the most good. They’re even thinking of the children.
Here’s hoping more cities follow suit.
SOURCE: ComEd, via Smart Cities Dive; featured image by EVgo.
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With a fully-enclosed, G-Wagen-inspired body and an 80 mile electric range, the Bodo G-Wagon golf cart is the NEV you need when you decide it’s time to get serous one-upping the rest of the Palm Beach country clubbers.
If you love the look of the $230,000 Mercedes-Benz G580 off-roader, but think the 579 hp, 6,800 lb. electric 4×4 is probably overkill for occasional trips to the golf course and country club, this G-Wagen-inspired golf cart might be just what you’re looking for.
The shiny black 2024 Bodo G-Wagon sold at Mecum Auctions last month for $31,900, which seems like it might not be a lot of money to the sort of person who decides to take a flyer on a goofy, limited-use EV that ships with real, metal doors, power windows, heating and air conditioning, fully digital instrument cluster and infotainment, and a “posh,” caramel leather interior.
It even has windshield wipers, power steering, and a rear-seat entertainment system that’s built into the front headrests!
It’s really nice in there
Under the hood, the Bodo packs a 15 kW (20 hp) electric motor drawing power from a 10 kWh li-ion battery that won’t deliver a scorching 0-60 mph time (it only goes 35), but will deliver you and your buddies from one end of any golf course in North America and back several times over, thanks to the G-Wagon’s 80 mile range.
The official Mecum Auctions listing goes into a bit more detail, and I’ve included it here, in case it gets deleted after a while and you’re just finding this for the first time in 2027:
Be the envy of any country club or golf community showing up with this 2024 Bodo G-Wagon Golf Cart. Perhaps more appropriately known as an E-Wagon, this baby G-Wagon is powered by a 15kW motor with a 10kWh lithium battery. Boasting an 80-mile range and a 35 MPH top speed, the Bodo is an enclosed, luxury golf cart that pampers occupants with heating and air conditioning, rear-seat entertainment, power windows, power locks and a posh, caramel-colored interior. With the Bodo fitted with power steering and 4-wheel power disc brakes with brake boost, drivers will think they’re in a full-size G-Wagon, thanks to the multiscreen entertainment cluster, the rearview camera, windshield wipers, turn signals, running lights and so much more.
Finished in black with the right amount of brightwork, the overall vibe is one of jaw-dropping, smile-inducing fun. While the Bodo would be an excellent choice for any golf community, it should also prove to be hugely popular around a race track or car condo community as well, or maybe even a neighborhood with its own airplane runways. Over the past decade in particular, the demand for unique, luxury golf carts has been on the rise, and understandably so. The number of luxury communities with specific interests in sports, aero and auto has also been on the rise, with people buying homes in these exclusive locations to better engage with like-minded people. All too often a golf cart is the perfect way to get around these gated neighborhoods, and this one is enclosed, comes with the amenities of a full-size car and is infinitely more stylish.
You can check out a few more photos of the 2024 Bodo G-Wagon golf cart that sold at Mecum, below – and if you want one for yourself, you’re in luck! I found this brand-new 2025 “G600 E-Wagon” (in white) for $23,900 at Gulf Carts in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Head on down to the comments and let us know if you buy it.
G-Wagon golf cart gallery
SOURCE | LOTS MORE PHOTOS: Mecum Auctions.
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