Tesla’s updated Model Y Performance features a new “4DU” drivetrain that significantly enhances output, boosting peak torque by 16%, peak power by 32%, and continuous power by 22% over its predecessor. The electric crossover offers impressive acceleration and continues to rank among the segment’s performance leaders. However, reviewers warn that these improvements might not be sufficient to maintain Tesla’s competitive edge, as rival manufacturers are closing the gap at an accelerating pace, threatening the company’s once-dominant position in the high-performance EV market.

Las Vegas police roll out Tesla Cybertrucks worth up to $115K each after donation from tech billionaire (Emma Bussey | Fox News | 11/3)

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is introducing the largest police fleet of Tesla Cybertrucks, thanks to a $2.7 million donation from Ben and Felicia Horowitz. The ten bulletproof vehicles, valued between $80,000 and $115,000 each, represent the first major use of electric vehicles in U. S. law enforcement. Police Chief Kevin McMahill stated that around 400 officers are trained to operate the Cybertrucks, which symbolize innovation and sustainability in policing and come equipped with the necessary gear.

China’s Baidu says weekly robotaxi rides hit 250,000 – same as Alphabet’s Waymo this spring (Evelyn Cheng | CNBC | 11/2)

Baidu’s autonomous taxi service has reached a significant milestone, completing approximately 250,000 rides weekly, matching Waymo’s highest U.S. deployment figures. This achievement demonstrates the rapid expansion of Baidu’s self-driving ride-hailing operations, fueled by supportive regulatory frameworks, dense urban environments, and the strategic advantage of operating in its domestic market. The development escalates the worldwide race for driverless transportation dominance and signals China’s rising prominence as a formidable competitor in the autonomous mobility sector.

NHTSA is investigating Waymo robotaxis for passing stopped school bus (Jo Borrás, 11/1)

Waymo, an autonomous taxi company, is under investigation by the NHTSA after a video showed one of its driverless cars illegally passing a stopped school bus in Atlanta. Georgia State Representative Clint Crowe, who co-sponsored Addy’s Law to enhance penalties for such violations, emphasizes the need for accountability in autonomous vehicle operations. Crowe believes manufacturers should face stricter consequences. Senator Rick Williams plans to propose legislation for higher fines for autonomous vehicles that break traffic laws, arguing that they should be off the roads until safety is ensured.

Driverless Car Violations Are Climbing – California’s New Law Will Hold Them Accountable (Sandara V, 11/1)

As self-driving cars become more prevalent, they are causing various traffic violations, such as illegal U-turns and passing school buses, with no clear accountability. In California, existing laws only allow citations for human drivers, leaving police officers unable to ticket autonomous vehicles (AVs) when there is no one in the driver’s seat. This has raised concerns about who is responsible for these violations.

To address this, California is implementing a new law starting July 2026. Under Assembly Bill 1777, traffic violations by AVs will lead to citations sent directly to the companies operating them, like Waymo or Zoox. This new system aims to enhance accountability and improve AV technology. Other states may follow California’s lead in managing the rise of driverless vehicles.

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.

Tesla has unveiled two new variants in China as it battles declining sales and an intensifying price war with domestic rivals like BYD. The Model 3 Plus features a rear-wheel-drive setup with a high-capacity LG NMC battery for extended range, while the Model Y L offers a larger, six-seat, three-row configuration that’s seven inches longer. The Model Y L includes dual motors (340 kW combined), all-wheel drive, and will launch this fall likely priced above $50,000—positioning it against competitors like NIO’s Onvo L90.

The launch follows Tesla’s 14% global delivery drop and comes after its refreshed “Juniper” Model Y failed to reverse the sales slide. With Chinese regulators already concerned about the ongoing EV price war, Tesla is betting these new models can help it regain ground in the world’s largest EV market.

China’s Baidu to bring its driverless cars to Uber globally (Arjun Kharpal – July 15, 2025)

Baidu has partnered with Uber to deploy autonomous cars on Uber’s platform outside the U.S. and mainland China, targeting Asia and the Middle East later this year. The partnership will introduce “thousands” of Baidu’s Apollo Go vehicles globally, boosting Baidu’s international expansion and providing Uber with a reliable partner in autonomous driving. Riders on Uber may soon have the option to choose a driverless Apollo Go car. In China, Baidu has operated its robotaxi service since 2021 in cities like Beijing and aims to expand to international markets like Dubai and Europe. This collaboration marks a strategic move for Uber, which seeks partnerships with driverless technology firms, following the sale of its own autonomous vehicle unit in 2020. The partnership reflects Uber’s strategy to lead in autonomous tech globally.

China’s BYD unveils Level-4 autonomous parking, promises full cover for losses (Bojan Stojkovski – July 12, 2025)

BYD has launched a new L4-level autonomous driving feature for its God’s Eye advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS). The update enhances parking scenarios and introduces three-speed parking. BYD promises to cover any damages incurred during parking and will take full liability for safety issues. They plan a major update to improve parking, driving, and safety. Over one million vehicles now have the God’s Eye ADAS, and BYD is the first to guarantee autonomous parking.

Tesla’s Grok AI Has Landed. Here’s What We Know (Patrick George – July 13, 2025)

Tesla is integrating Grok, Elon Musk’s xAI chatbot, into its vehicles through the Summer Update 2025.26. Available on new Teslas delivered after July 12 and older models with AMD chips, Grok offers conversational interactions with various personalities rather than controlling car functions.

The rollout follows recent controversy when Grok made anti-Semitic comments on X, prompting xAI to apologize and remove problematic code. As Tesla drivers experience Grok’s “maximally based and truth-seeking” approach firsthand, its real-world behavior will be closely watched.

Tesla is already trying to expand its robotaxi service to Arizona (Kirsten Korosec and Sean O’Kane – July 10, 2025)

Tesla has applied to test and operate autonomous vehicles in Arizona, aiming to bring its robotaxi service to the Phoenix Metro area. On June 26, Tesla began the certification process with Arizona’s Department of Transportation. The application includes testing with a driver and without a driver. Discussions are in preliminary stages, with Tesla’s senior regulatory counsel, Casey Blaine, having meetings with state officials. Tesla’s limited robotaxi service launched in South Austin and plans to expand further. In California, Tesla holds a testing permit with a safety driver since 2014 but hasn’t applied for driverless testing. Arizona’s process involves self-certification, but a Transportation Network Company permit is needed for ride-hailing services. Waymo, which operates a driverless robotaxi in Phoenix, holds necessary permits in Arizona and California, including Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

2,000 km of range and two fuels merged – BYD unveils revolutionary new engine (Sarah I. – July 11, 2025)

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has surpassed Tesla in global sales since 2022. BYD offers affordable electric vehicles, with prices starting below $8,000, while Tesla’s least expensive model is around $42,000. BYD recently introduced a new hybrid engine that can travel over 2,000 kilometers without recharging. Additionally, BYD is advancing its autonomous driving technology, providing it in all vehicles at no extra cost, while Tesla continues developing its own autonomous options.

DAVID SHEPARDSON and AKASH SRIRAM 1-7-2025

On Tuesday, NHTSA opened a probe into 2.6 million Tesla vehicles across the US after several reports of crashes involving Tesla vehicles using the Actually Smart Summon feature. According to the reports, the vehicles haven’t been detecting other parked cars and obstacles in parking lots, leaving the drivers with “too little reaction time to avoid a crash, either with the available line of sight or releasing the phone app button, which stops the vehicle’s movement,” according to the NHTSA report.

The driving assistance feature launched this past fall, and it allows drivers to remotely move their vehicle through a phone app. NHTSA intends to investigate the system’s maximum speed and line-of-sight requirements and will determine whether an engineering analysis is needed. NHTSA’s investigation will also cover the remote connection through the app, including connectivity delays, and the system’s performance in unexpected conditions. Tesla did respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Is your car spying on you? What it means that Tesla shared data in the Las Vegas explosion

BERNARD CONDON 1-4-2025

Tesla’s detailed data tracking after a Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas highlights modern vehicles’ ability to collect and utilize extensive personal data. This event demonstrated Tesla’s capacity to swiftly analyze the driver’s movements and the incident’s cause, aiding police investigations. While law enforcement benefits from such data for public safety, privacy experts express concern over potential misuse by companies. Most contemporary vehicles, like Tesla’s, gather comprehensive data, including location, personal contacts, and communication logs, through smartphone synchronization. This raises ethical concerns about privacy rights and data usage, with some companies, such as General Motors, facing legal challenges for allegedly misusing customer data. Privacy advocates argue for new legislation to safeguard consumer data, given the cars’ increasingly digital nature. Amidst these debates, experts emphasize the need for consumer control over personal data in connected vehicles.

Beijing Introduces New Rules as China Pushes Self-Driving Tech

GRAHAM HOPE 1-6-2025

Beijing has announced new regulations to promote the use of autonomous vehicles (AVs), effective later this year. These rules aim to boost investment and innovation in the automotive sector and cover areas like infrastructure planning and traffic management. They also set safety standards for AV operation and inspections. The High-Level Automated Demonstration Area in Yizhuang has become a key site for AV testing, with positive feedback from operators. Additionally, four districts in southern China have signed an agreement to allow self-driving taxis to operate across different cities, enhancing connections in the Greater Bay Area.

Autonomous Vehicles: The Outlook for 2025

GRAHAM HOPE 12-27-2024

The AV industry remains unpredictable, characterized by missed deadlines, technological advancements, and strategic shifts, like General Motors’ decision to halt funding for Cruise. Entering 2025, this uncertainty persists, intensified by potential regulatory changes under Donald Trump’s presidency, possibly influenced by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. This environment could benefit Tesla as it advances its Cybercab for the self-driving taxi market. Meanwhile, Waymo leads with substantial growth, planning expansions in Miami and collaborations with Uber in Austin and Atlanta. Self-driving taxis are gaining traction on ride-hailing platforms, with companies like Lyft and Europe’s Bolt exploring this option. The public’s confidence in AVs remains low, but increased deployments may gradually change perceptions. Other players like May Mobility and Amazon-backed Zoox are progressing with innovative offerings. In the self-driving arena, AI integration is crucial, with companies like the UK’s Wayve pushing forward. Abroad, Chinese firms like Baidu and WeRide are expanding globally. Traditional automakers, including General Motors, face challenges and prioritize EVs over expensive AV projects. Mercedes, however, continues to enhance its Level 3 “hands-off” technology. In trucking, driverless testing progresses, signaling a potential commercial rollout in 2025.

Americans more likely to embrace driverless cars, but still skeptical: Survey

TARA SUTER 1-2-2025

A YouGov survey shows that while 35 percent of Americans are enthusiastic about driverless cars, 70 percent still have concerns about them. This is a slight decrease in concerns from a previous survey. Additionally, Uber is partnering with Cruise to introduce self-driving Chevy Bolt vehicles starting in 2025, with Uber CEO highlighting the potential benefits of this technology.  “As the largest mobility and delivery platform, we believe Uber can play an important role in helping to safely and reliably introduce autonomous technology to consumers and cities around the world,” Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi wrote in a statement. “We’re thrilled to partner with Cruise and look forward to launching next year.”

Tesla to fix software for 77,650 China-made vehicles, says market regulator

REUTERS 12-31-2024

Tesla is recalling over 77,000 vehicles in China over software issues that have reportedly been failing to display vehicle tire pressure. According to China’s market regulator, the product recall will cover China-made Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. It has not yet been clear whether drivers will be able to return the Tesla vehicles for refunds. In addition to the product recall, Tesla is also recalling 63 imported Tesla vehicles over driver-side airbag issues.