Last updated on February 9th, 2026 at 07:54 pm
Tesla reveals Model 3 Plus and Model YL in China as price war heats up (Andrew J. Hawkins – July 16, 2025)
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.
