Supported by the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), the Taiwan Automobility Research Consortium (TARC) held the 22nd Taiwan Automotive International Forum (TAIFE) on October 6. The forum announced major advances in international cooperation, with the Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC) partnering with U.S. and German organizations to establish international-grade automotive cybersecurity and connectivity testing facilities in Taiwan. These initiatives strengthen local verification capabilities and help Taiwan's automotive electronics industry expand into global markets.
DoIT Director-General Chao-Chung Kuo said that the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), software-defined vehicles (SDVs), and vehicle connectivity has made interoperability and cybersecurity essential to smart vehicle development. Through its A+ Industrial Innovative R&D Program and collaboration with research institutes, DoIT helped China Motor Corporation (CMC) obtain ISO 21434 and ISO 24089 certifications, making it Taiwan's first commercial vehicle manufacturer to receive these certifications from Germany's TUV SUD.
Kuo added that MOEA continues to support critical technologies and testing capabilities through technology development projects, while connecting domestic R&D with international standards and regulations. The U.S. and German partnerships will enable companies to conduct verification locally, reduce barriers to overseas markets, and strengthen Taiwan's smart mobility competitiveness. MOEA will continue to promote R&D, international cooperation, and field validation to accelerate technology deployment and product internationalization.
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) Executive Vice President and TAIFE Chair Jwu-Sheng Hu said that the global automotive industry is moving toward smarter, software-driven, and low-carbon mobility. ITRI will continue to integrate technologies across disciplines and connect industry partners to help Taiwan translate its technological strengths into a competitive advantage. Under the theme 'Reinventing Mobility,' this year's forum covers AI-enabled connected vehicles, autonomous driving, automotive cybersecurity, testing and validation, new energy, and sustainable mobility. "These areas will shape the next phase of competition in the global smart mobility industry," said Dr. Hu. "Exchanges among domestic and international experts will help companies identify emerging opportunities and accelerate commercialization."
ARTC Chairman and TARC Chair Jerry Wang said that ARTC signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with OmniAir Consortium, an international association promoting testing and certification for intelligent transportation systems and connected vehicles. The partnership will introduce international connected-vehicle verification requirements and develop scenario-based validation and interoperability testing methods.
The initiative will combine ARTC's autonomous vehicle testing facilities with a connected-vehicle testing zone scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, designed to replicate suburban road conditions. It will establish Taiwan's first internationally recognized smart vehicle connectivity testing site, offering local verification for onboard units (OBUs) and roadside units (RSUs). These services will connect technology development, field validation, and commercial deployment, helping Taiwanese suppliers enter international supply chains.
In cooperation with Germany, ARTC signed an MOU with TUV SUD in 2024, witnessed by DoIT. With MOEA support, ARTC established Taiwan's only international-grade automotive cybersecurity laboratory in 2026 and received TUV SUD laboratory recognition in June. The laboratory can conduct testing under UN Regulations Nos. 155 and 156, addressing cybersecurity management systems (CSMS) and software update management systems (SUMS).
The laboratory offers more than 100 test services covering cybersecurity analysis, hardware and software integrity, secure data transmission, and over-the-air (OTA) update procedures. These capabilities enable vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers to complete development testing and verification in Taiwan, reducing the costs and timelines associated with overseas testing. They also help companies prepare for Taiwan's vehicle cybersecurity regulations, scheduled to take effect in 2028, while accelerating access to global markets.