Tesla, Elon Musk sued by shareholders over Robotaxi claims (Jonathan Stempel — August 5, 2025)

Elon Musk and Tesla were sued by shareholders for securities fraud, accusing them of hiding the risks of their self-driving vehicles. The lawsuit followed a test showing dangerous behavior of robotaxis, leading to a drop in Tesla’s stock price. Shareholders seek damages from April 2023 to June 2025. Also, Tesla was recently found partially responsible for a fatal crash involving its self-driving software.

Trump’s deregulation of AI and autonomous vehicles: Revolution or risk? (Lauren Fix — August 6, 2025)

On January 23, 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14179, “Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence,” signaling a dramatic shift away from the Biden administration’s cautious regulatory stance on AI. The directive calls on federal agencies to dismantle regulations viewed as obstacles to innovation, most notably in autonomous vehicle development. It streamlines NHTSA’s exemption process and could open the door for self-driving cars to operate without traditional safety features like steering wheels or pedals.

Proponents say the move will accelerate U.S. dominance in emerging sectors such as transportation, healthcare, and logistics, potentially saving thousands of lives and cutting costs through automation. But critics warn that the sweeping rollback comes with serious risks. Key concerns include the elimination of mandatory crash data reporting for AVs and the removal of protections against algorithmic bias. The order may also clash with existing state-level laws in places like California and Colorado, raising fears of a fragmented regulatory landscape that could erode public trust and compromise safety.

Ford opens massive EV development center in Long Beach, California (Susan Carpenter — August 5, 2025)

After a 65-year absence, Ford Motor is making a major West Coast comeback with the opening of a massive 250,000-square-foot Electric Vehicle Development Center in Long Beach, its first significant Southern California presence since closing an assembly plant in 1959. The repurposed aviation depot near LAX now houses 350 engineers, designers, and technicians, with plans to expand to 450 staff. The high-tech campus features design studios, fabrication workshops, EV labs, and specialized garage space for next-generation projects spanning electric drivetrains, software, and battery development.

Ford’s California team is laser-focused on developing a low-cost, midsize electric pickup truck set to launch in 2027, a crucial vehicle that could determine the automaker’s competitiveness in the mass-market EV space. The move signals Ford’s determination to attract top-tier engineering talent from California’s tech corridor while reinforcing its electrification commitment, even as the industry grapples with rising tariff pressures and supply chain challenges.

Tesla Wants To Bring Its Robotaxis To New York. Good Luck With That (Rob Stumpf — August 3, 2025)

Tesla’s Robotaxi service, after launching in California, is expanding by hiring “vehicle operators” in several U. S. cities, including Brooklyn, New York. Unlike competitors like Waymo, Tesla is rapidly expanding its service, though it still lacks full autonomous permits. The push raises safety concerns, especially in busy areas.

Lyft to partner with Chinese AI firm Baidu to bring robotaxis to Europe in 2026 (Euronews — August 4, 2025)

Robotaxis may be available in Germany and the UK on the Lyft app as soon as next year. Lyft is partnering with Chinese AI firm Baidu to introduce autonomous vehicles, pending regulatory approval. Baidu aims to scale its fleet in Europe, while Lyft expands its operations after acquiring the FREENOW app.

Lucid softens full-year production forecast as EV maker misses second-quarter estimates (Michele Luhn — August 5, 2025)

Lucid Motors posted mixed Q2 results, missing revenue expectations with $259.4 million and reporting a wider-than-expected 24-cent loss per share. The EV maker also lowered its 2025 production forecast to 18,000–20,000 units, citing rising tariffs and trade tensions. To offset supply chain challenges, Lucid is shifting to domestic sourcing—aiming to boost long-term stability despite near-term margin pressure. The company is betting on its upcoming Gravity SUV, a $50,000 midsize EV, and a newly announced six-year robotaxi partnership with Uber and Nuro, backed by a $300 million Uber investment.

A new Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report shows Tesla has plummeted to become America’s least-trusted automotive brand, ranking below all major competitors in consumer confidence, particularly around safety and corporate integrity. The survey placed Tesla dead last in “trust integrity” metrics, signaling widespread skepticism about the company’s reliability and transparency.

This erosion of public faith stems largely from mounting safety concerns surrounding Tesla’s autonomous driving technology, including a series of high-profile accidents involving Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems. The timing couldn’t be worse for Tesla, which is simultaneously pushing forward with its robotaxi pilot program in Austin while facing intensified regulatory oversight and an increasingly wary consumer base that questions both its safety claims and business practices.

CA DMV claims Tesla misled drivers on Autopilot capabilities; seeks to suspend business for 30 days (Suzanne Phan – July 21, 2025)

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has launched a lawsuit demanding Tesla halt all vehicle sales and manufacturing in the state for 30 days, accusing the company of deceptively marketing “Full Self-Driving” technology that remains merely Level 2 driver assistance requiring constant human oversight. DMV officials contend the autonomous system “is not ready for being simply a driver-assist system,” arguing Tesla’s branding has created dangerous misconceptions about the technology’s actual capabilities.

The legal action cites fatal consequences, including the 2018 death of Apple engineer Walter Huang during Autopilot operation and a devastating eight-car pileup on the Bay Bridge in 2022 allegedly caused by Teslas in “full self-driving” mode. UC Berkeley expert Scott Moura reinforces that Tesla’s FSD falls far short of true Level 5 autonomy, supporting critics who contend the misleading terminology has fostered deadly overconfidence among drivers who believed they could rely on technology that isn’t nearly as advanced as advertised.

Understanding Level 4 Autonomous Driving Systems, from Currently Available to Upcoming (Mircea Panait – July 20, 2025)

Before aiming for Level 5 autonomous driving, mastering Level 4 is a crucial step. Honda was among the first automakers to lease cars with Level 3 capabilities, like the Legend Hybrid EX, but that model has been discontinued, and Honda appears to have paused progress on their SENSING Elite Traffic Jam Pilot system. Meanwhile, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are moving forward with Level 3 luxury sedans, with Mercedes upgrading its DRIVE PILOT system to Level 4 in China for deployment by the end of the decade.

Although no Level 4 vehicles are available for retail yet, they do exist, mostly in China, where regulations are more permissive. Companies like GM’s Cruise, Waymo, Tesla, and Baidu are leading the way in developing and testing Level 4 and near-Level 4 systems. Cruise had early ambitions for Level 4 robotaxis but faced setbacks, while Waymo continues expanding its autonomous fleet with advanced hardware. Tesla is operating Level 4-like robotaxis in Austin but hasn’t officially received permits yet. Other players like Navya, Baidu Apollo, WeRide, Nuro, and VW’s MOIA are also making strides in autonomous transport, with several promising systems and upcoming deployments around the world. The race toward full autonomy is accelerating, with China leading some regions due to favorable regulations, and major automakers focusing on the critical transition from Level 3 to Level 4.

A Huge New Lab in Sweden Is Testing the 6G-Powered Future of Connected Cars and Drones (Oscar Collins – July 18, 2025)

AstaZero has launched an advanced proving ground for connected vehicles. This facility will test automated transport systems to ensure safety and confidence as the industry moves towards a 6G-powered future. It features multiple 5G networks for real-time communication between vehicles and emergency services.

The facility allows testing of various real-world scenarios, using AI and drones for simulations. AstaZero aims to enhance vehicle communication and decision-making, achieving a high reliability rate crucial for critical situations. It caters to all brands, supporting fair testing as new vehicle standards emerge.

Uber inks six-year robotaxi deal with Lucid, invests $300 million in EV company (Samantha Subin – July 17, 2025)

Uber announced a partnership to deploy over 20,000 robotaxis in the next six years, responding to rising demand for driverless cars. The collaboration is with Lucid, the electric vehicle maker, and Nuro, an autonomous vehicle startup. Uber will invest $300 million in Lucid, while Nuro will create the self-driving technology. They plan to launch the robotaxis in a major U. S. urban area next year. Testing of the first prototype is underway in Las Vegas, and the program aims for commercial viability and global scalability.

Trump’s Auto Safety Pick Promises Rapid Self-Driving Deployment (Keith Laing – July 16, 2025)

President Donald Trump’s nominee for NHTSA administrator, Jonathan Morrison, has pledged to prioritize safety while making it easier for automakers to deploy self-driving cars. During a Senate hearing, Morrison said the agency should create proactive, science-based regulations that go beyond voluntary guidelines, which currently limit test vehicles to 2,500 and restrict safety features.

Morrison emphasized the need for federal leadership to build consumer trust in autonomous vehicles and avoid undue costs that could hinder innovation. If confirmed, he may lead investigations into Tesla’s driver assistance technologies and address nearly 73 open safety probes, including eight involving Tesla. Critics fear Morrison’s past at NHTSA might lead to fewer safety standards, but automakers and industry groups welcome his experience. The outcome depends on Trump’s influence, with no official comment from Tesla or the White House.