SEPTEMBERASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK8NEWSROOMChefGenie, an AI-powered automated kitchen developed by Singapore-based Aikit, will launch its six-month pilot program on September 9, 2025, at Punggol Digital District.Backed by Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), the initiative aims to evaluate autonomous kitchens as a manpower-lean solution for the food and beverage (F&B) sector, while also testing consumer acceptance. The pilot will feature eight well-known F&B brands--Warong Pak Sapari, Springleaf Prata, Eat Pizza, Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks, Takagi Ramen, Tuk Tuk Cha, The Hainan Story, and Instachef--making it one of the most comprehensive trials of automated kitchens in Singapore.ChefGenie is designed to automate both cooking and back-end tasks, including stock tracking, ingredient replenishment, menu adjustments, and demand forecasting. According to Aikit, the system can prepare meals within minutes, helping restaurants address labour shortages, reduce costs, and maintain consistent food quality.As part of the trial, 4,000 meals will be served at an introductory price of S$1.99 (US$1.50) each, making the pilot highly accessible to consumers. If successful, ChefGenie could signal a shift in Singapore's F&B landscape, where automation and AI become essential in driving productivity, efficiency, and scalability.With Singapore's F&B industry facing labour constraints and rising costs, ChefGenie's pilot highlights how smart kitchens could revolutionize the future of dining, offering both businesses and customers a more efficient, reliable, and affordable solution. Hyundai and Kia are strengthening their European presence as EV sales in the region surged by 25 percent in the first half of 2025, driven by demand for compact, affordable models.Consumers increasingly prefer EVs priced between 30,00035,000, which account for 30 percent of total European car sales, over premium options. Hyundai is set to debut a small electric SUV concept--expected to be named Ioniq 2 or Ioniq 3--at the IAA Mobility 2025 event in Munich, with production scheduled for the first half of 2026.Positioned below the Casper Electric and Kona Electric, this model aims to compete in the growing budget EV segment.Kia, meanwhile, has begun producing the EV4 hatchback at its Slovakia facility, with European sales starting in October. The company also plans to launch the EV2, a compact SUV priced below 35,000, with production beginning in Slovakia early next year. Kia projects ambitious sales of 80,000 units annually for the EV4 and 100,000 for the EV2.This European pivot comes as U.S. EV subsidies end, pushing Hyundai and Kia to prioritize Europe, which now represents 20.6 percent of global EV sales. The strategy is already paying off: Kia's EV3 sold 39,334 units in Europe in the first seven months of 2025--nearly triple its domestic sales--while Hyundai's Casper Electric shipped 55 percent of exports to Europe, crossing 10,000 units in just six months.Together, Hyundai and Kia are betting on Europe's compact EV boom to secure long-term growth. CHEFGENIE AI KITCHEN PILOT LAUNCHES IN SINGAPOREHYUNDAI & KIA TARGET EUROPE'S GROWING COMPACT EV MARKET· ChefGenie AI kitchen pilot launches Sept 9 in Singapore· Features 8 popular F&B brands in autonomous cooking trial· 4,000 meals to be served at S$1.99 each during pilot· Hyundai to unveil Ioniq 2/3 small EV SUV at IAA Munich 2025· Kia begins EV4 production in Slovakia, EV2 launch in 2026· Compact EVs priced 30k35k now dominate European sales
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