automobiles
India auto software provider LocoNav raises $37m
LocoNav, an Indian vehicle fleet software provider, has raised $37 million in Series B funding from a group of investors including Sequoia Capital India.
Deal focus: Carro prioritizes car financing as ecosystem enabler
Southeast Asia’s Carro has achieved critical mass as a used car trading platform, but the start-up regards financial services as the key growth area. It is now backed by SoftBank Vision Fund’s considerable heft
Deal focus: TR Capital doubles down on China tech
Secondaries specialist TR Capital has established a base in Shenzhen with a view to sourcing more deals in China’s red-hot technology sector. Online used car trading platform Bochewang is the latest example
Joy, Nio Capital invest $315m in China online used car dealer
Joy Capital and Nio Capital will invest $315 million in China-based online used car dealer Uxin, throwing their support behind the company’s pivot from a marketplace to an inventory-holding retailer.
Vision Fund leads $360m Series C for Southeast Asia's Carro
Carro claims to have become Southeast Asia’s first automotive marketplace unicorn with the completion of a S$477 million ($360 million) Series C round led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2.
H Capital leads $300m round for China car trading platform
Chehaoduo, operator of China auto trading platforms Guazi and Maodou, which specialize in used and new cars, respectively, has raised $300 million in funding led by H Capital at a valuation of more than $10 billion.
China LiDAR specialist Hesai closes $300m Series D
Hesai Technology, a China-based developer of sensors used in autonomous driving, has raised a $300 million Series D round led by GL Ventures.
Deal focus: New angle on logistics flourishes in China
China’s DST Car Rental has achieved a level of vertical integration unique among start-ups in electrified logistics. With the model proving itself at home, an overseas expansion awaits
Ikea entity leads Series C for China EV rental player
Dishangtie Car Rental, a Shenzhen-based electric vehicle (EV) rental service, has raised a $100 million Series C led by Ingka Holdings, a holding company for most of Ikea's stores.
China's WeRide closes Series C, hits $3.3b valuation
Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide has achieved a valuation of $3 billion on closing a Series C round of undisclosed size. It comes four months after the company raised $310 million in Series B funding.
LG Chem to anchor IMM's Korea battery fund
IMM Private Equity’s recently established credit unit has launched a KRW400 billion ($353 million) Korea-focused fund that will invest in components for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and other environmentally friendly industrial materials.
China self-driving truck start-up agrees $3.3b SPAC merger
Plus, a China-based autonomous driving technology developer that specializes in trucks, has agreed to merge with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) at a valuation of $3.3 billion.
SIG leads $70m Series C for China's YiAuto
YiAuto, a Chinese new car marketplace, has raised a $70 million Series C round led by SIG. Existing investors GGV Capital, BlueRun Ventures, Sky9 Capital, and K2 Venture Partners also participated.
Quadrant makes partial exit via Australia car dealership IPO
Quadrant Private Equity has made a partial exit from Australian car dealership Peter Warren Automotive Holdings following the company’s A$260.1 million ($203 million) IPO.
GM leads $139m Series D for Singapore EV battery maker
General Motors (GM) has led a $139 million Series D round for Singapore-based electric vehicle (EV) battery maker SES, also known as SolidEnergy Solutions.
Mobility: Gravitational shift
The automotive industry’s VC overtures might be in retrograde, but traditional carmakers are finding new ways to make a mark in mobility innovation. This creates new dynamics for financial investors
Deal focus: Plus pulls financial, strategic levers
China’s first autonomous driving truck will shortly enter mass production, courtesy of Plus and its array of private equity and automotive industry supporters
China's TuSimple trades flat after $1.3b US IPO
TuSimple, a China and US-based developer of autonomous driving technology for trucks, traded flat on debut following a $1.35 billion IPO at a market capitalization of $8.5 billion.
FountainVest, ClearVue back China self-driving truck player
FountainVest Partners and ClearVue Partners have led a $220 million funding round for Plus, a China-based autonomous driving technology developer that specializes in trucks.
China autonomous driving start-up TuSimple files for US IPO
TuSimple, a China and US-based developer of autonomous driving technology for trucks, has filed for a US IPO. Its backers include CDH Investments, Zhiping Capital, Sina Corporation, and Hong Kong hedge fund Composite Capital.
China autonomous driving developer Momenta raises $500m
SAIC Motor, Toyota Motor Corporation, Robert Bosch, Yunfeng Capital, and Temasek Holdings are among the investors in a $500 million Series C funding round for Chinese autonomous driving technology developer Momenta.
Hong Kong's Gly Capital launches $300m mobility tech fund
Gly Capital, a Hong Kong-based investor controlled by Chinese auto giant Geely, has launched a $300 million mobility tech fund.
Polaris buys mapping business from Japan's Pioneer
Japanese technology conglomerate Pioneer Corporation has agreed to sell Increment P Corporation – its car navigation and mapping business – to Polaris Capital Group.
China LiDAR specialist Innovusion raises $60m
Innovusion, a Chinese developer of LiDAR technology used in autonomous driving, has raised $60 million in funding. The company is best known as a supplier to domestic electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio.