WSJ Tech News Briefing – TNB Tech Minute: Autonomous-Truck Company Einride To Go Public

Date: November 12, 2025
Host: Zoe Culkin, The Wall Street Journal

Episode Overview

This Tech Minute gives a concise update on significant developments in tech for November 12, 2025. The spotlight is on Swedish autonomous-truck company Einride’s plans to go public, alongside a look at market optimism around AI-fueled chipmaking and electronics manufacturing, featuring Infineon and Foxconn. The episode captures the pulse of investment, innovation, and regulatory pressures shaping the future of autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence supply chains.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Einride to Go Public via SPAC Merger

[00:25]

• Company News:
  Einride, a Swedish battery-electric, autonomous trucking startup, is planning to go public next year (2026) through a merger with a blank check (SPAC) company.
• Valuation & Proceeds:
  • The deal values Einride at $1.8 billion.
  • Anticipated up to $219 million in gross proceeds.
  • The public listing is targeted for the first half of 2026.
• Market Context:
  The move comes amid a challenging period for zero-emission trucking, particularly in the U.S., where demand is softening:
  • The U.S. makes up about half of Einride’s current fleet.
  • Demand is impacted after the Trump administration blocked or reversed state and federal emissions regulations.

“Einride … plans to go public next year through a merger with a blank check company in a deal that values it at $1.8 billion.”
— Zoe Culkin [00:25]

“The announcement comes at a challenging time for zero emission trucking, particularly in America… where demand is softening after the Trump administration blocked or reversed state and federal emissions regulations.”
— Zoe Culkin [00:48]

2. Infineon’s Optimism on AI-Driven Chip Demand

[01:12]

• Growth in Chips for AI:
  German chipmaker Infineon saw shares jump after forecasting sales growth into fiscal 2026, bolstered by robust demand for semiconductors in AI data centers.
• Financials:
  • Expected revenue to increase moderately over 2025’s €14.66 billion.
  • AI-specific revenue target for 2026 raised to €1.5 billion, up from €1 billion.
• Market Performance:
  Infineon stock is up over 15% in the past year (Frankfurt exchange).

“Infineon is betting that AI demand will continue to grow strongly and raised its AI revenue target to about 1.5 billion euros in fiscal 2026 from 1 billion euros previously.”
— Zoe Culkin [01:36]

3. Foxconn’s Strategic Move with OpenAI

[01:46]

• AI Computing Trajectory:
  Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer, expects a strong upcoming year driven by surging AI computing demand.
• OpenAI Collaboration:
  Announced plans to collaborate with OpenAI, with more details forthcoming at Foxconn’s Tech Day next week.
  • OpenAI is yet to comment on the partnership.
• Stock Movement:
  Foxconn shares have climbed more than 35% this year, hitting an all-time high, following its chairman’s meeting with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

“The company said it plans to collaborate with OpenAI, an announcement the company will officially make at their Tech day next week.”
— Zoe Culkin [01:53]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Einride … plans to go public next year through a merger with a blank check company in a deal that values it at $1.8 billion.”
  — Zoe Culkin [00:25]

• “The announcement comes at a challenging time for zero emission trucking, particularly in America, which accounts for about half of the company’s current fleet, where demand is softening after the Trump administration blocked or reversed … emissions regulations.”
  — Zoe Culkin [00:48]

• “Infineon is betting that AI demand will continue to grow strongly and raised its AI revenue target to about 1.5 billion euros in fiscal 2026 from 1 billion euros previously.”
  — Zoe Culkin [01:36]

• “Foxconn … said it plans to collaborate with OpenAI, an announcement … at their Tech day next week.”
  — Zoe Culkin [01:53]

Timeline & Timestamps

• [00:17] – Episode begins and Einride IPO news
• [00:48] – Regulatory challenges for zero-emission trucking
• [01:12] – Infineon financials, AI-driven demand
• [01:46] – Foxconn’s AI strategy and OpenAI collaboration
• [02:06] – Episode wrap-up

Episode Tone

Crisp, informative, and data-driven. Zoe Culkin delivers concise updates, succinctly summarizing complex trends shaping tech and business.

Summary

This episode outlines the high-stakes bet on AI across hardware, transport, and electronics, contextualized by shifting U.S. regulations on emissions and a global race for AI supremacy. Highlights include Einride’s plans to go public, Infineon’s bullish AI chip outlook, and Foxconn’s upcoming collaboration with OpenAI—underscoring how AI is influencing strategic moves across the tech sector.