Upstart manufacturers are influencing the whole of the automotive industry: Analyst takeaways from AutoTech 2025

Steve Bell

Chief Analyst, Connectivity and Related Technologies

Steve is an accomplished strategy and technology analyst focusing on connectivity-based technologies, related cloud and edge computing, cybersecurity, applications, over-the-air (OTA) updating, and automotive production. He also looks into intelligent transport systems, new mobility, smart cities, and smart charging grids.

Previously he was a Senior Analyst with Heavy Reading and focused on IoT in the mobile network domain, specifically the growth of 4G and 5G in two verticals: Industrial IoT and connected and autonomous vehicles. For two years, he also served as an analyst-in-residence at TU-Auto.com, providing insights into the future of this emerging industry. Steve is a frequent webinar producer and a respected and sought-after speaker at industry conferences.

Maite Bezerra

Senior Principal Analyst, Software-Defined Vehicles

Maite Bezerra specializes in the automotive industry’s transition to software-defined vehicles (SDV). With comprehensive knowledge in electrical and electronic architectures, hardware consolidation, high-performance computing (HPCs), vehicle operating systems, cloud native tools, and software-defined principles, she delivers strategic insights on the automotive value chain’s transformation in response to software-driven innovation.

Her research focuses on defining, measuring, and forecasting the progressive stages of SDV adoption and tracking automakers’ strategies to upgrade their fleets, providing actionable recommendations. Before joining Omdia, Maite worked as an automotive analyst covering cockpit systems, infotainment operating systems, HMI, ADAS, autonomous driving, and connectivity, including V2X. A recognized thought leader in the SDV space, Maite regularly presents and moderates panels at high-profile industry events, including CES. She holds a Master of Science in international business and completed three years of doctoral research with successful confirmation before pivoting to industry research.

Elaine Chung

Senior Analyst, Smart Cockpit

Elaine is a senior analyst with Informa Tech’s Automotive Group, covering the evolving landscape of automotive smart cockpits. Her role encompasses the examination of key areas, including Human-Machine Interface (HMI) design, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) integration, in-vehicle connectivity, user experiences (UX), and the impact of emerging technologies on the next generation of automotive interiors.

Before joining Informa Tech, Elaine served as a business development engineer at a European Tier 1 company where she led benchmarking and market trend analyses all with a focus on uncovering new business opportunities in the Japanese market. Her research covers various areas including software development, V2X communication, user experiences, and HMI aspects in ADAS. Prior to this role, she worked as a research scientist for a Japanese Tier 1 company where she supported product development for next-generation driver monitoring and HMI products.

Jason Low

Principal Analyst

As Principal Analyst, Jason focuses on advancing the company’s research initiatives in the automotive sector, particularly in EV, ADAS, and digital cockpit technologies.

Jason has significant expertise in the evolving landscape of the automotive ecosystem in China and globally, assisting technology companies, tier-one suppliers, and automakers with their go-to-market (GTM) and technology strategies to leverage emerging opportunities.

With a solid understanding of the modern automotive market, Jason and his team guide clients in exploring the potential of new automotive technologies, support informed decision-making with data-driven insights, and identify opportunities for growth.

Working at Canalys since 2014, Jason led the Intelligent Vehicle Service, focusing on ADAS and digital cockpit, providing comprehensive guidance to clients navigating the complexities of these technologies. Before the move to automotive, Jason led the Consumer IoT division, bringing expertise in wearables, hearables, and smart speakers. His deep understanding of the consumer IoT ecosystem has empowered clients to develop effective go-to-market strategies and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Adam Ragozzino

Principal Analyst, Batteries and Electric Powertrains

Adam Ragozzino is a Principal Analyst at Informa Tech’s Automotive Group (Wards Intelligence, WardsAuto, and TU Automotive), covering the rapid advancements in electric vehicle Batteries and Electric Powertrains. Adam’s focus areas also include the latest trends in batteries, electric motors, related power control & conversion technologies, all-wheel-drive systems & EV transmission trends, hybrid & fuel-cell powertrains, and the impact on internal combustion engines. As an analyst, he looks at events and technology innovations in the industry and helps explain why they matter and what comes next. His latest project concerns battery technology trends and who is winning the EV race.

Before coming to Wards, he was the automotive analyst at a small startup company focused on helping clients see trends in the industry. Previously, he worked as an analyst in marketing, policy, and healthcare. When not writing about the next battery trend, you can find him riding or skiing throughout Colorado.

Edward Wilford

Senior Research Director

Edward is the Senior Research Director, Automotive, having previously covered automotive AI and semiconductors as Senior Principal Analyst, IoT, at Omdia. He has written extensively on embedded applications processors and GPUs, edge AI, advanced connectivity, and novel semiconductor architectures such as RISC-V.

He started in the industry in 2016 when he joined Arm as a market intelligence analyst, leading market research and forecasting in the automotive and IoT division. He has also worked in financial services and media roles in London. He has a BA from Durham University and an MPhil in Linguistics from the University of Cambridge.