What We’re Reading
Tesla execs Drew Baglino and Rohan Patel leave as company lays off 10% Tech Crunch, April 15, 2024
Two high-profile executives, Drew Baglino and Rohan Patel, have left Tesla on the same day the electric automaker announced layoffs impacting more than 10% of its global workforce or approximately 14,000 workers. This move follows Tesla’s first year-over-year sales decline in three years, prompting cost-cutting measures to enhance productivity. Despite record EV shipments in 2023, Tesla continued slashing prices and backed away from plans to build a lower-cost EV, opting instead to use the underlying platform to power an alleged robotaxi that purportedly will debut on August 8. Tesla still faces significant headwinds like cooling demand for EVs and increased competition as it readies for its next growth phase.
Driver in fatal Texas crash was using Ford’s auto driving system, officials say The Guardian, April 11, 2024
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that a fatal crash in Texas earlier this year involved Ford’s partially automated driving system. The crash involved a 2022 Mustang Mach E SUV that was engaged in Ford’s “Blue Cruise” driver-assist system prior to the collision. The Blue Cruise system allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel, and autonomously brakes and accelerates on 97% of controlled access highways in the US and Canada.
This marks the second fatal collision involving Ford Mustang Mach Es under investigation by the NTSB, as well as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Ford has not yet commented on the NTSB report, but the carmaker continues to cooperate with the investigations.
BMW is succeeding with electric cars while rivals like Tesla struggle Quartz, April 10, 2024
EV sales are declining for many car manufacturers, but not for BMW. From January to March, BMW has seen growth of almost 28% compared to the same time a year ago. “The BMW Group is continuing on its [battery electric vehicle] growth path,” Jochen Goller, who oversees brands and sales for BMW’s board of management, said in a statement. “With the delivery of its one-millionth fully-electric vehicle since the market launch of the BMW i3, we have reached an important milestone that confirms the attractiveness of our product portfolio,” Goller added. Other automakers like Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and even Tesla have reported a decline in sales this year, while Lucid and Rivian are reporting growth.