Discover how China’s Huaneng Group launched the planet’s biggest autonomous mining fleet, boosting productivity and safety. Learn more now!
China’s Huaneng Group Unveils a Massive Autonomous Mining Fleet
State‑owned energy giant Huaneng Group has taken a giant leap toward fully automated mining. The company deployed 100 driverless electric trucks at the open‑pit Yimin coal mine in Inner Mongolia, creating the largest autonomous mining fleet on the planet.
Powered by high‑capacity batteries and built on a rugged chassis, the Huaneng Ruichi trucks can operate in harsh weather and rough terrain without a driver. According to Huaneng, the fleet delivers a 120% increase in productivity compared with traditional diesel haulage.
The trucks are linked through Huawei’s 5G‑Advanced network and advanced AI algorithms. Real‑time routing, load‑balancing, and predictive maintenance keep the fleet running 24/7 while dramatically lowering operating costs.
Beyond efficiency, the driverless system eliminates the need for personnel in hazardous zones, delivering a significant safety boost for mine workers.
Huaneng plans to expand the autonomous fleet in the coming years, signaling a broader move toward digitalization and zero‑emission transportation in the mining sector.
Lotus Cars Sets Its Sights on Vietnam’s Luxury Sports Market
British sports‑car legend Lotus Cars announced its entry into Vietnam, targeting a launch in the first quarter of 2026. The move diversifies the country’s high‑performance vehicle segment, which has long been dominated by German marques.
Founded in 1948 by engineering pioneer Colin Chapman, Lotus is renowned for its lightweight philosophy and racing‑derived technology. The brand’s upcoming Vietnamese lineup will likely feature the Lotus Emira as the flagship model, embodying the classic sports‑car spirit that the company calls “For The Drivers”.
In addition to the Emira, Lotus is pushing its high‑performance electric range, including the Eletre SUV and the upcoming Emeya GT‑style EV. These models aim to capture the growing demand for premium electric mobility in Southeast Asia.
The arrival of Lotus is expected to intensify competition among luxury and performance brands, giving Vietnamese enthusiasts more choice and spurring further innovation in the market.
Porsche Reports Deepest Sales Drop in 15 Years, Rethinks EV Plans
German sport‑car powerhouse Porsche disclosed its worst sales performance in a decade and a half. Global deliveries for 2025 fell to approximately 279,449 units, a 10% decline from the previous year and the lowest figure since the post‑2009 financial crisis.
The primary culprit is tepid demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in key markets, especially China, a region that previously drove Porsche’s growth. In response, the automaker has postponed the launch of several new EV models and is refocusing on its traditional gasoline and hybrid offerings.
Complicating matters, stricter European cybersecurity regulations forced Porsche to halt sales of certain internal‑combustion engines, creating supply gaps that further pressure its bottom line.
Looking ahead to 2026, Porsche’s CEO outlined a “value over volume” strategy, prioritising profitability and brand prestige while navigating an increasingly volatile market landscape.
These developments underscore the shifting dynamics across the automotive sector, where automation, electrification, and regulatory changes are reshaping the strategies of both legacy manufacturers and emerging players.