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☆ Tesla car that killed Seattle motorcyclist was in ‘Full Self-Driving’ mode, police say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Reuters —A Tesla Model S car was in “Full Self-Driving” mode when it hit and killed a 28-year-old motorcyclist in the Seattle area in April, police said, making it at least the second fatal accident involving the technology on which Tesla CEO Elon Musk is pinning his hopes. Tesla says its “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)” software requires active driver supervision and does not make vehicles autonomous. Previously, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said there was one fatal accident involving a Tesla vehicle using FSD software between August 2022 and August 2023. This year, Musk shelved Tesla’s all-new affordable cars and increased his bets on self-driving vehicles, saying he will be shocked if Tesla cannot achieve full self-driving capability next year. In December 2023, Tesla was forced to recall nearly all its vehicles on U.S. roads to add safeguards to the software.

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla, Waymo, Sam Abuelsamid, ”, Raj Rajkumar, Musk Organizations: Reuters, Tesla, Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, Carnegie Mellon University Locations: Seattle, Silicon

☆ Fisker files for bankruptcy protection in wave of EV startups, moment of déjà vu for its founder
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Henrik Fisker stands with the Fisker Ocean electric vehicle after its unveiling at the Manhattan Beach Pier ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show and AutoMobilityLA in Manhattan Beach, California. The new filing comes after the Fisker company failed to secure an investment from a big automaker to keep afloat. The automaker, unlike most of its peers, contracted a third-party manufacturer to build the Fisker Ocean crossover. Déjà vuFor Henrik Fisker, a renowned automotive designer credited with designing the BMW Z8 and Aston Martin DB9, it's déjà vu. His first namesake company – Fisker Automotive – filed for bankruptcy protection in 2013, shortly after he left the company.

Persons: Henrik Fisker, Patrick T, Fallon, Fisker, Nikola, Faraday, It's, Henrik Fisker's, Tesla, Sam Abuelsamid, Magna, Abuelsamid, Geeta Gupta, Gupta, Stephanie Valdez Streaty, Aston Martin, – Organizations: Manhattan, Los Angeles Auto, AFP, Getty, Lordstown Motors, Guidehouse, Software, U.S, Canadian, Apple, Adobe, SAP America, Manpower, Systems, CNBC, Cox Automotive, Fisker, Inc, BMW Z8, Aston, Aston Martin DB9, China's Wanxiang Locations: Manhattan Beach , California, EVs, U.S, North America, Europe

☆ Ford Slows Its Push Into Electric Vehicles
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Neal E. Boudette | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Ford Motor on Thursday delayed the production of at least two new electric cars and said it would pivot to making more hybrids. Its decision was the latest sign that large automakers have been forced to rethink their strategy for electric vehicles because sales for those models are slowing. The shift by Ford and automakers like General Motors and Mercedes-Benz, which have also pushed back their electric car plans, has been prompted largely by the companies’ difficulties in making and selling enough electric cars and doing so profitably. Because they are still learning how to make the cars and their batteries at lower cost, the companies have not been able to bring out more affordable models. “That’s made it a lot tougher to sell those vehicles.”

Persons: ” Sam Abuelsamid, “ That’s Organizations: Ford, General Motors, Mercedes, Benz

☆ How BYD grew from battery maker to electric vehicle juggernaut, overtaking Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Andrew Evers | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

In the U.S., Tesla may be at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution, but abroad, the carmaker has some serious competition. In the fourth quarter of 2023, BYD dethroned Tesla as the world's top EV maker, selling more battery-powered vehicles than its U.S. rival. "BYD has grown into this powerhouse in the new energy vehicle industry," CNBC's Beijing correspondent Evelyn Cheng said. By 2003, the company had pivoted to autos and has since become the top car brand in China, as well as a major producer of EV batteries. Watch the video to learn how BYD grew from battery maker to EV giant and what's next for the company.

Persons: Tesla, Warren, BYD, Evelyn Cheng, they're, Wang Chuanfu, Sam Abuelsamid, Michael Dunne, Dunne, They're Organizations: EV, Guidehouse, CNBC, U.S Locations: U.S, China, Beijing, Munich, United States, Europe, Hungary, Mexico

Those more concerned with the climate crisis are asking a bigger question: what does this all mean for the planet? Gas-powered cars, hybrids and EVs all emit roughly the same amount of pollution to manufacture, until you get to producing the battery. Fully electric cars use large batteries made of materials that require heavy mining. And that would still mean less climate pollution on the road overall. And fully electric cars won’t be truly “green” until the energy that charges them comes from renewable sources, like wind and solar.

Persons: Akio Toyoda, EVs, Joe Biden’s, Toyota’s, Daniel Sperling, —, ”, Sam Abuelsamid, Abuelsamid, InfluenceMap, Biden, Kelley, Albert Gore, Gore, I’m, “, ” Monica Nagashima, Lia, Kena, Stephen Ciccone, ” Ciccone, BEV, ” UC’s Sperling Organizations: CNN, Toyota, Auto, US, Toyota Prius Prime, Toyota Toyota, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Ford, EPA, Gas, American Council for, Prius, EV, InfluenceMap, United, Lexus, Cox Automotive, Zero Emission Transportation Association, Getty, Toyota Motor North America, ” Toyota Locations: California, West Virginia, Canada, Australia, United States, EVs, InfluenceMap’s, Japan, Rockland, Blauvelt , New York

☆ How Hyundai Motor Group became the world's third-largest automaker
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Robert Ferris | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Hyundai Motor Group is the world's third-largest automaker in the world by volume — but it wasn't always so. The three auto brands in the automaker's stable — Hyundai, Kia and Genesis — are nipping at the heels of well-established competitors, and winning an ever-growing list of industry awards. Tesla still dominates the electric vehicle industry, but Hyundai Motor Group is the second best-selling EV manufacturer in the U.S."On the electrification side, Hyundai has done a really great job," said Sam Abuelsamid, principal research analyst at Guidehouse Insights. "I think Hyundai Motor Group isn't a car company," said Jose Munoz, the global president and chief operating officer at Hyundai. Watch the video to learn more about how Hyundai became the third-largest global automaker.

Persons: William Barnett, Tesla, Sam Abuelsamid, They've, Jose Munoz Organizations: Hyundai Motor, Hyundai, Kia, American, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Guidehouse, United Auto Workers Locations: America, U.S, Singapore

It’s still not clear which vehicles would be eligible for the full $7,500 tax credit under the new rules because the government has yet to publish any lists. But they are still years away from being able to produce an electric vehicle without materials and components from China. Sam Abuelsamid, a mobility analyst for Guidehouse Insights, expects many EVs now eligible for the full $7,500 U.S. tax credit will see that cut in half next year when the new regulations take effect. Getting the tax credit upfront — rather than waiting until filing tax returns next year — “will actually reduce your monthly payment, which is a major stumbling block for consumers,” he said. Adeyemo and other officials declined to say whether batteries from the Ford plant would qualify for tax credits.

Persons: —, Biden, Joe Biden's, It’s, Wally Adeyemo, David Turk, Adeyemo, Turk, John Bozzella, Sam Abuelsamid, EVs, Abuelsamid, — “, ”, Joe Manchin, Manchin, Janet Yellen, Ford, Tom Krisher Organizations: WASHINGTON, Treasury, Energy, EV, Administration, “, Motors, Hyundai, Ford, GM, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Guidehouse, Democratic, Natural Resources Committee, Ford Motor Co, Amperex Technology, Associated Press Locations: U.S, China, United States, North Korea, Russia, Iran, North America, Michigan, Detroit

A Cruise self-driving car, which is owned by General Motors Corp, is seen outside the company?s headquarters in San Francisco, California, U.S., September 26, 2018. In an email to staff seen by Reuters, Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt said the company will re-evaluate the employee equity program in light of the suspension, which "pushed out our commercialization and revenue generation timelines." The regulator said Cruise had not initially disclosed all video footage of an Oct. 2 accident where Cruise's car dragged a pedestrian in San Francisco. The unlisted Cruise unit last year introduced the equity program under which current and former employees can sell their vested equity to GM and other investors every quarter. Asked about the Thursday's email from Vogt, a Cruise spokesperson said, "GM and Cruise are working together on what competitive compensation packages at Cruise will look like going forward."

Persons: Heather Somerville, Kyle Vogt, Cruise, Sam Abuelsamid, Vogt, Hyunjoo Jin, Greg Bensinger, David Shepardson, Jonathan Oatis, Matthew Lewis, Daniel Wallis Organizations: General Motors Corp, REUTERS, General Motors, GM, Reuters, Cruise, California Department of Motor Vehicles, United Auto Workers, UAW, Thomson Locations: San Francisco , California, U.S, California, San Francisco, California , Arizona, Washington

The outcome in civil court shows Tesla arguments are gaining traction: when something goes wrong on the road, the ultimate responsibility rests with drivers. The electric-vehicle maker also argued it was unclear whether Autopilot was engaged at the time of the crash. During the Riverside trial, an attorney for the plaintiffs showed jurors a 2017 internal Tesla safety analysis identifying "incorrect steering command" as a defect, involving an "excessive" steering wheel angle. The automaker subsequently engineered a system that prevents Autopilot from executing the turn which caused the crash. "I think that anyone is going to have a hard time beating Tesla in court on a liability claim," he said.

Persons: Tesla, Elon Musk, Micah Lee's, Lee, Bryant Walker Smith, Matthew Wansley, Wansley, Eloy Rubio Blanco, Rubio, Sam Abuelsamid, Dan Levine, Hyunjoo Jin, Jonathan Oatis, Richard Chang Organizations: Tesla, Tuesday, Court, Reuters, University of South, Cardozo School of Law, U.S . Department of Justice, Traffic, Administration, Thomson Locations: Riverside County, Los Angeles, University of South Carolina, Riverside

Fain also wants workers at the plants to make top UAW assembly plant wages, which now are $32 per hour. Political Cartoons View All 1205 Images“The battery plants are going to be the make-or-break issue,” said Sam Abuelsamid, a mobility analyst for Guidehouse Insights. And if lower-paying battery plants aren't union, workers won't have anywhere to get the same wages and benefits. But they also see a future where buyers could switch, and they think wages at the battery plants should match what they make. The UAW, he said, will use this to try to organize other Korean-owned battery plants.

Persons: WAYNE, Shawn Fain's, Stellantis, they'll, Fain, ”, Sam Abuelsamid, It’s, festering, Ford, Jim Farley, “, ” Fain, Farley, Mary Barra, Chris Jedrzejek, Jedrzejek, Todd Lauerman, “ it’s, ” It's, Abuelsamid, let's, Harry Katz, Katz, Marick, Masters Organizations: Ford, United Auto Workers, EV, General Motors, Detroit, UAW, Korean, Guidehouse, GM, Carnegie Mellon University, Bronco, Toyota, Cornell University, “, Wayne State University Locations: Mich, Detroit, U.S, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Ford, Korean, Wayne , Michigan, Ohio, South Bend , Indiana

DETROIT (AP) — Ford Motor Co. said Monday that it's pausing construction of a $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant in Michigan until it is confident it can run the factory competitively. The move comes as the company is in the midst of national contract talks with the United Auto Workers union, which wants to represent workers at battery factories and win them top wages. In February, Ford announced plans to build the plant in Marshall, Michigan, employing about 2,500 workers to make lower-cost batteries for a variety of new and existing vehicles. But Ford spokesman TR Reid confirmed Monday that plant construction has been paused and spending has been limited on it. Earlier this year Virginia dropped out of the race for the same Ford plant after Republican Gov.

Persons: —, Ford, Marshall, TR Reid, ”, Shawn Fain, Sarah Lightner, Ford “, “, ” Lightner, Sam Abuelsamid, Abuelsamid, Biden, Glenn Youngkin, Joey Cappelletti, David Koenig Organizations: DETROIT, — Ford Motor, United Auto Workers union, UAW, Ford, Detroit, General Motors, EV, Amperex Technology, . Ltd, Republican State Rep, Guidehouse, Republican Gov, Chinese Communist Party, ____ Associated Press Locations: Michigan, Marshall , Michigan, Detroit, Marshall, China, U.S, Virginia, Lansing , Michigan, Dallas

Even after escalating its strike against Detroit automakers on Friday, the United Auto Workers union still has plenty of leverage in its effort to force the companies to agree to significant increases in pay and benefits. The UAW could, if it chose to, vastly expand the number of workers who could strike assembly plants and parts facilities of General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, the owner of the Jeep and Ram brands. All three companies said that talks with the union continued on Saturday, though officials said they expected no major announcements. In expanding the strike on Friday, the UAW struck only the parts-distribution centers of GM and Stellantis. Ford was spared from the latest walkouts because of progress that company has made in negotiations with the union, said UAW President Shawn Fain.

Persons: “, ”, Daniel Ives, Sam Abuelsamid, Abuelsamid, Ford, Shawn Fain, Wheaton, ’, Fain, —, “ It's, AutoNation, Mike Stanton, David Barnas, Jodi Tinson, Alexandra Olson Organizations: Detroit, United Auto Workers, UAW, General Motors, Ford, Jeep, GM, Wedbush Securities, Guidehouse, Fiat Chrysler . Service, Cornell University, National Automobile Dealers Association, Associated Press Locations: Detroit, Flint , Michigan, Sterling Heights , Michigan, Canada, United States, New York

☆ What EV owners need to know about Tesla's charging partnership with Ford and GM
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Tesla's Supercharger Network will open up to Ford and GM EV owners in 2024. As part of their move, both Detroit-area automakers have decided to adopt Tesla's EV charging connector, the plug that links an electric vehicle to a charging station. With GM and Ford joining Tesla's charging system, the rest of the auto industry may be forced to follow suit. At present, two main types of EV charging plugs exist: Tesla's North American Charging Standard and CCS, used by nearly all other automakers. GM and Ford EV owners also win because they will gain access to double the number of chargers that they had before.

Persons: Tesla, Here's, Gary Silberg, you'd, Sam Abuelsamid, Ford, Abuelsamid, Silberg, Stellantis, it's Organizations: Ford, GM EV, General Motors, GM, CCS, EV, KPMG, Associated, Energy Department, Tesla, North America, Guidehouse Insights, Ford EV, Kia, Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, VW Locations: DETROIT, Detroit, United States, U.S, North America, North, America

☆ Tesla stock charges upwards on deal with GM
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Both Ford and GM EV drivers will, for now, need special adapters to allow their vehicles to use Tesla chargers. Tesla’s charging system had been proprietary and only usable by Teslas – although Teslas could use CCS chargers with an adapter. But CEO Elon Musk announced in late 2022 that he was inviting other automakers and charging companies to use Tesla’s charging system and design standards. Tesla’s NACS chargers outnumber CCS chargers in the United States by a factor of two to one, according to Tesla. Other automakers, such as KIa, Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen, still use the CCS charging standard and have not announced any plans to change.

Persons: CNN — Tesla, ”, Gary Silberg, –, Elon Musk, Mary Barra, Sam Abuelsamid, Tesla, Justin Sullivan, Guidehouse’s, KPMG’s Silberg, Abuelsamid, Musk, GM’s Organizations: CNN, General Motors, Ford, GM EV, Tesla, KPMG, GM EVs, Guidehouse, CCS, GM, GM’s Chevrolet, Cox Automotive, KIa, Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen Locations: United States, CALIFORNIA, San Rafael , California, North America

☆ Why GM is killing the Chevy Bolt — America's cheapest EV — amid record sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

In this article GM Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTA Chevrolet Bolt EUV on display at the New York Auto Show, April 13, 2022. Scott Mlyn | CNBCDETROIT — After years of lackluster performance and a fire-provoked recall, the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt EV was finally gaining traction for General Motors . The Bolt EV would start at $26,595, followed by the Bolt EUV at $28,195. A 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV caught fire at a home in Cherokee County, Georgia on Sept. 13, 2021, according to the local fire department. Cherokee County Fire DepartmentStill, GM touted the Bolt EV as proof of the concept for its electric-powered future.

☆ Tesla's not even in the top 10 of self-driving firms, according to experts who ranked all of the leading companies working on automation
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Research firm Guidehouse Insights regularly ranks companies developing automated driving tech. Tesla didn't make this year's top 10, and ranked last of 16 companies assessed. Moreover, of the 16 companies recently ranked by research and consulting firm Guidehouse Insights (which ranks some of the biggest names working on automated-driving technology each year), Tesla came in last. Tesla ranked last in similar lists in 2021 and 2020. To come up with the list, Guidehouse weighs factors such as a company's vision, go-to-market and production strategies, partners, tech, commercial readiness, and more.

☆ Musk says Tesla likely to launch full self-drive technology 'this year'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Hyunjoo Jin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his security detail depart the company’s local office in Washington, U.S. January 27, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan ErnstSAN FRANCISCO, April 19 (Reuters) - Elon Musk said on Wednesday that electric vehicle (EV) giant Tesla (TSLA.O) likely will launch full self-drive technology this year and generate significant profits that offset some of the margin pressure it's facing due to aggressive price cuts. "I hesitate to say this but I think we'll do it this year," said Tesla CEO Musk, speaking on a conference call. Tesla sells FSD software as an option for as much as $15,000. Tesla reported a lower-than-expected quarterly margin on Wednesday but Musk said he would prioritize sales growth over profits in a weak economy.

☆ I charged a Kia at a Tesla Supercharger and saw how Elon Musk can make EV charging suck less for everybody
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I tested out the experience in a Kia Niro EV that Kia lent me. Charging a non-Tesla at a Tesla charging station was notably smooth and convenient. The Kia Niro EV charges at a Tesla Supercharger in Brewster, NY. The Kia Niro EV charges at a Tesla Supercharger in Brewster, NY. The Kia Niro EV charges at an EVgo charging station.

☆ How Ford and VW's multibillion-dollar self-driving car project failed
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Robert Ferris | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ford Motor bet a billion dollars on a startup called Argo AI to catch up to flashy tech companies like Google , Uber and Tesla . Volkswagen , the second-largest automaker in the world, signed on as a backer in 2019, investing $2.6 billion Argo AI at a valuation of more than $7 billion. By 2021, Argo AI was valued at $12.4 billion and counted 2,000 employees, with offices on two continents and self-driving tests underway in seven cities. There were plans to bring a self-driving taxi service to market by 2021, rivaling those by Waymo and Ford's larger Detroit rival, General Motors . But in October 2022, Argo AI shut down.

☆ Tesla opening its Supercharger network to rivals could be a brilliant marketing move from a company that famously doesn't advertise — with one big risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Tesla plans to open 3,500 of its fast-charging plugs to all electric-car owners by the end of 2024. Until now, Tesla's Supercharger network was only for Tesla owners in the US. According to Loren McDonald, CEO of EV industry consultancy EVAdoption, the Supercharger network serves as Tesla's single biggest marketing tactic. Sam Abuelsamid, an auto industry analyst at Guidehouse Insights, agrees that expanding Supercharger access could help Tesla sell more cars. Analysts see another risk: A boom in demand for limited charging stalls could frustrate Tesla owners by crowding popular stations.

☆ Experts ranked the leading self-driving companies. Tesla didn't even crack the top 10.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Research firm Guidehouse Insights regularly ranks companies developing automated driving tech. Tesla didn't make this year's top 10, and ranked last of 16 companies assessed. That's despite CEO Elon Musk's confidence in his Full Self-Driving tech. Moreover, of the 16 companies recently ranked by research and consulting firm Guidehouse Insights (which ranks some of the biggest names working on automated-driving technology each year), Tesla came in last. Tesla ranked last in similar lists in 2021 and 2020.

☆ Musk's plan for a cheap Tesla car is what fans hope to hear this week
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Hyunjoo Jin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

This week, fans hope, he will explain what he has in mind - and perhaps how he can afford to build it. A recent Tesla engineering video showed a small car with typical Tesla curves that was assumed by company watchers to be a Model 2 sketch. Battery production also is an issue. Batteries are also likely to figure in Musk's plans for a "fully sustainable energy future" outside the car. He may also discuss solar power generation and battery energy storage - which he has said are two other pillars to a sustainable energy future.

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Tesla (TSLA.O) will open part of its U.S. charging network to electric vehicles (EVs) made by rivals as part of a $7.5 billion federal program to electrify the nation's highways to cut carbon emissions, the Biden administration said on Wednesday. There are also nearly 10,000 "destination" chargers with Tesla plugs that can recharge a vehicle overnight. Opening up access to Tesla's network would be a quick win for an ambitious federal program to build 500,000 EV chargers by 2030, up from 130,000 currently. Administration officials did not say whether a contract has been signed, but federal officials will control disbursement of about a third of the $7.5 billion federal program. Chris Harto, a senior policy analyst at Consumer Reports, said, "There is no doubt the $7.5 billion in federal charging investment threatens Tesla's competitive advantage.

☆ The US needs 8 times more charging stations by 2030 to handle the coming wave of electric cars
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Charging needs to quadruple by 2025 and grow eight-fold by 2030 to accommodate EVs. Specifically, the US needs to quadruple its charging infrastructure by 2025, and grow it more than eight times by 2030, according to a new report out of S&P Global Mobility. Automakers are betting their futures on available chargingA lack of charging infrastructure is a problem, as nearly every major automaker is buying into electrification with billions in new technology, models, and manufacturing. That's despite the fact that a majority of EV charging can be done at home — if an EV owner has access to a garage and plug. That could change with more and more momentum from the Biden Administration, which is targeting a national network of 500,000 public charging stations by 2030 and has slated $7.5 billion toward charging build-out.

☆ Everything you need to know about charging your new electric car, from where to go to what you'll pay
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Alexa St. John | Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

And we've walked potential electric car buyers through some of the technologies that could make charging their car much, much easier. Read more about the state of electric car charging below. How EV charging fits in your lifestyleAs prospective EV-buyers consider going electric, the charging experience is weighed heavily. Big Oil is getting in on electric cars by snapping up EV charging companies. Biden administration announces rules to make electric car charging less crappyChallengesRange anxiety is largely a thing of the past.

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