The Station is a weekly publication devoted to all issues transportation. Enroll right here — simply click on The Station — to obtain the publication each weekend in your inbox. Subscribe totally free.

Hey-o! Howdy readers and welcome again to The Station, your weekly publication on all issues transportation. I hope you loved the New 12 months! I appreciated a little bit of relaxation and restoration, simply in time for CES 2024.

Yup, I’m in Las Vegas, but once more, for the annual tech commerce present. The Huge Three U.S. automakers (Ford, GM and Stellantis) received’t have massive splashy shows and bulletins as in previous years. Nonetheless, there shall be loads of automotive, and extra broadly, transportation firms and startups in attendance. I shall be on the hunt all week for intriguing and modern tech. Want me luck. ;D

Honda, Kia and Vinfast are displaying off EVs, Hyundai’s Supernal will reveal an electrical vertical take off and touchdown car and Mercedes shall be specializing in software program and the in-cabin expertise. AI is a theme that’s popping up in every single place and maybe stunning to some, hydrogen gasoline will even have a presence.

Keep tuned for our protection this week.

Wish to attain out with a tip, remark or criticism? E mail Kirsten at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com. Reminder you could drop us a observe at ideas@techcrunch.com. In case you desire to stay nameless, click on right here to contact us, which incorporates SecureDrop (directions right here) and varied encrypted messaging apps.

Deal of the week

It’s been a bit quiet the previous few weeks, however there have been a smattering of offers value sharing.

Considered one of observe is Gbike, a Seoul-based shared e-scooters and e-bikes operator that’s gearing as much as go public on the Korean inventory market and is reviewing acquisition targets. Founder and CEO Walter Yoon instructed TechCrunch that the corporate is in talks for acquisitions within the micromobility trade to extend its market share earlier than its deliberate preliminary public providing, aiming for early 2025.

“Particulars haven’t been materialized but, however we’re at present taking a look at round three to 5 targets to accumulate,” Yoon mentioned, including that it has not determined what number of acquisitions it is going to full.

Different offers that received my consideration …

Bumper, an auto restore financing startup based mostly in London, raised $18 million in a spherical led by AutoTech Ventures. Shell Ventures, InMotion Ventures, Porsche Ventures, and Revo Capital additionally participated. Bumper additionally secured $30 million in debt.

Revfin, an Indian fintech startup that gives auto loans for electrical two-wheelers and three-wheelers raised $14 million in a Collection B spherical led by Omidyar Community, the philanthropic funding agency from eBay founder Pierre Omidyar.

Salt Creek Capital acquired Vantage Automobile Worldwide, a California-based maker of low-speed utility autos.

Swap Vitality, an Indonesian EV battery startup, raised $22 million in a Collection A spherical led by Qiming Enterprise Companions. GGV Capital and current investor Ondine Capital additionally participated.

Notable reads and different tidbits

ADAS

Contributor Tim Stevens examined the superior driver help programs in Tesla, BMW, Ford, GM and Mercedes. Right here’s how they stacked up.

Autonomous autos

Aurora and Continental handed the primary main hurdle in a $300 million undertaking to provide 1000’s of autonomous {hardware} kits for self-driving vehicles.

China’s robotaxi trade is going through new headwinds — and a little bit of wariness after watching the drama at Cruise unfold. TC reporter Rita Liao does a deep dive on how these startups are coping.

Nuro struck a cope with safety-focused software program firm Foretellix to assist with digital testing of its automated driving system, in a bid to chop R&D prices.

Electrical autos, charging & batteries

2024 shall be a vital yr for India, because the nation faces challenges to supply accessible development capital to late-stage startups whereas attempting to lure Tesla and different overseas EV producers to enter its home market. Right here’s how the nation will navigate EVs in 2024.

Fisker is struggling to satisfy inner gross sales objectives, paperwork present.

Rivian delivered 10% fewer EVs within the fourth quarter, in comparison with the third quarter, leaving traders fearful about softening demand. Rivian did exceed its manufacturing objectives for 2023, offering some optimistic information for the EV maker.

Superpedestrian’s electrical scooters — greater than 20,000 of them — shall be auctioned off later this month, together with different tools from the startup’s U.S. operations, after closing its doorways December 31. Additionally, don’t miss this text from TechCrunch about what Superpedestrian’s demise means for the e-scooter trade.

Tesla shipped a document variety of electrical autos in This fall to assist it edge out its targets for the yr, thanks partly to the recognition of its most cost-effective car.

The U.S. authorities revealed the listing of EVs that qualify for the total federal tax credit score beneath the newer, extra stringent tips. Right here’s the qualifying EVs listing and extra particulars on what drove the change.

VinFast has earmarked an funding of as much as $2 billion to construct a manufacturing unit in India.

Cities

TC reporter Rebecca Bellan turned her consideration to the neglected tech that saved cities transferring in 2023.

Uber has quietly been testing a versatile pricing service in additional than a dozen cities in India.