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☆ I was a Tesla fan but I feel like I've been duped by Elon Musk's self-driving claims. I'll never buy another Tesla again.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Vivek Wadhwa once called himself a friend of Musk and a Tesla fan, but he sees things differently now. Wadhwa loves his Tesla, but he says he'll never buy another one again. Before that, we had drinks and I said, "Tell me the craziest thing you're going to do." He said, "I'm going to retire on Mars." I've been waiting for six years for this car to drive itself and I know it's never going to happen.

☆ Tesla owners reveal the best and worst features of their cars, and what they really think of Elon Musk
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Insider spoke with more than a dozen Tesla owners to learn what they like most and least about their cars. We talked to more than a dozen Tesla owners to find out what they like most about their cars — and what they think needs improvement. Since electric cars don't experience the same acceleration lag as gas vehicles, Teslas jolt forward the instant you put your foot down. Con: Stiff rideSome Model 3 and Y owners told Insider their cars are too stiff and jittery over bumpy pavement. Tim Levin/InsiderOver and over, Tesla owners praised the company's extensive network of fast chargers, which is exclusive to Tesla owners in the US.

Shortly after the accident in Spring, Texas, local police said they believed the crash occurred with no one in the driver's seat, raising questions about Tesla's driver-assistance systems and prompting widespread media coverage. In October 2021, the NTSB said both the driver and passenger seats were occupied during the crash. The NTSB said "footage from the owner’s home security camera shows the owner entering the car’s driver’s seat and the passenger entering the front passenger seat." This evidence indicated that TACC was not engaged during the crash trip." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which regulates vehicle safety and is also investigating the incident, did not immediately comment.

☆ I was obsessed with my Tesla but Elon Musk convinced me I'd rather drive an electric Mercedes-Benz
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Christine Orita was a loyal Tesla fan for years but recently ditched her Model S for an electric Mercedes-Benz. A 2013 Tesla Model S. AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, FileI took delivery of my car in early 2013. The Mercedes EQS is a superior productI looked at Audi and BMW's electric cars, and their range was just not where I needed it to be. The Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+. I feel so much better to be rid of the Model S.

☆ Tesla's Autopilot is falling behind as other software catches up
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Consumer Reports ranked the best advanced driver-assistance systems on the market. Mercedes-Benz's tech took third. Ford BlueCruise took the top spot, ahead of General Motors Super Cruise and Mercedes-Benz's system. That's because Elon Musk's automaker hasn't made significant changes to Autopilot's core functionality in years, Consumer Reports said. While other automakers have evolved their ACC and LCA systems, Tesla has simply fallen behind," Jake Fisher, the organization's senior director of auto testing, said in the report.

☆ One of the best Tesla alternatives just became an even bigger thorn in Elon Musk's side
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The base 2024 Polestar 2 gets 300 miles of range and 299 horsepower. With longer range, enhanced performance, and updated looks, the sporty electric sedan has become an even fiercer competitor to Tesla's popular Model 3. PolestarThe refreshed Polestar 2 gets an upgraded battery pack that boosts range to an estimated 300 miles for the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version. The base, $44,000 Model 3 is rated for 272 miles of range, while the longest-range version gets 338 miles on a full charge. PolestarNew, more powerful motors mean the single-motor Polestar 2 now makes 299 horsepower (up from 231) and hits 60 mph in 5.9 seconds.

☆ Consumer Reports calls Ford’s automated driving tech much better than Tesla’s
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

And in a recent ranking by Consumer Reports, which tested ADAS from 12 different carmakers, Tesla’s ranked seventh. GM’s Super Cruise, which ranked second, is the only other system tested by Consumer Reports that works this way. Ford’s driver monitoring technology is one of the major reasons that BlueCruise ranked so highly in Consumer Reports’ testing. Kia and Genesis did not immediately respond to requests from CNN Business for comments on Consumer Reports’ assessments. For the most part, vehicle owner’s manuals were of little use in learning how to use the systems, Consumer Reports said.

☆ Welcome to post-layoff Google — starting with a tense, all-hands meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

But still, I would say that I work to live instead of living to work. A tense meeting at post-layoff Google. Google hosted an internal all-hands meeting on Monday — the first day back to work after cutting 12,000 people. This career coach helped Amazon and Google employees through layoffs. More than half of Alisa Cohen's clients work at Big Tech companies — some of them were laid off recently.

☆ Volkswagen's adaptive cruise control system attempted to accelerate one owner's car to 100 miles-per-hour in a 30 zone, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Two Volkswagen Tiguan owners told the Times of London about problems with adaptive cruise control. "I thought the car was trying to kill me," said one man, whose car tried to accelerate to 100 miles-per-hour. In a statement sent to Insider, Volkswagen noted that the adaptive cruise control system is "certainly not designed to create a fully autonomous vehicle nor supersede the responsibility of the driver." According to Volkswagen's website, adaptive cruise control works with front assist's radar sensors which detect if you're too close to a vehicle in front. ACC also uses front and rear cameras, as well as GPS information, to work out the road's speed limit.

☆ A leaked Google memo compared it to slime mold
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Jake Swearingen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

It's like the start of a joke: What do Google and slime mold have in common? A lot, says a memo from an ex-Googler comparing the org to a "slime mold." (A key difference: Stanford grads aren't desperate to intern at a slime mold.) But with ChatGPT setting off alarm bells inside and outside the org, Google should probably move faster and with more intention than slime mold. The most memorable part of the memo compares Google's bottom-up organizational structure to a "slime mold," highlighting how both Google and a slime mold can work independently but still come together to solve complex problems.

☆ Apple and Google are both at their biggest risk of disruption in over a decade
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Matt Weinberger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

This year, Apple and Google will both face their first real tests in a very long time. Apple could finally open its walled garden, potentially disrupting the App Store juggernaut. Google has spent the last decade-plus guarding its advertising business; Apple has built as many moats around its all-important iPhone business as possible, happily collecting App Store fees and Apple Music subscriptions. Let's look at how this is finally the year that Apple and Google will face their most meaningful competition yet. If the App Store opens up and the iPhone doesn't become a toxic hellstew, perhaps Apple will reconsider its approach.

☆ Continental partners with AI chip firm Ambarella on autonomous driving
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Germany's Continental (CONG.DE) and California-based artificial intelligence chip firm Ambarella (AMBA.O) announced a partnership on Thursday to make software and hardware systems for autonomous driving. The two companies will focus on so-called Level 2 plus autonomous driving, which briefly allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel through features like assisted cruise control and lane centering. Ambarella develops a new category of semiconductors called system on a chip, or SoC, which combine multiple CPUs on one logic board and provide artificial intelligence processing. The two firms jointly develop the technology, which will comprise of high-resolution cameras and radar and lidar senses with the necessary software from Continental, the statement said. The German auto supplier also holds a minority stake in another California-based firm, lidar startup AEye, and has integrated a long-range lidar sensor based on AEye's patents to complement the auto supplier's existing short-range lidar technology.

☆ Soccer Depay on target as Netherlands beat U.S. 3-1 to reach quarter-finals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Dec 3 (Reuters) - The Netherlands became the first country into the World Cup quarter-finals as they beat the United States 3-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday. Substitute Haji Wright scrambled in a reply for the United States in the 76th minute to give the Americans hope but Denzel Dumfries's volley sealed a seventh quarter-final appearance for the Dutch. Dumfries then played a carbon copy ball for Blind to make it 2-0 and put his side in cruise control. Wright bundled home from a Christian Pulisic cross but Dumfries crowned a great display to finish off the Americans. Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Lionel Messi scores in 1000th career game as Argentina reaches World Cup quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Lionel Messi scored in what was the 1,000th game of his storied career as Argentina beat Australia 2-1 to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals. In the second half, Julián Álvarez capitalized on some slack goalkeeping by Australia stopper Mat Ryan to score his second goal of the tournament and extend Argentina’s lead. Those fans were soon crooning even more loudly when Messi curled a beautiful, left-footed effort past Australian keeper Ryan following a slick Argentina moved. After the break, Argentina began to turn on the style, though La Albiceleste’s second goal stemmed from hard work and pressing. With Australia pushing for a second goal, Argentina had an opportunities to catch the Socceroos on the break, with Lautaro Martínez missing numerous opportunities to seal the game.

☆ I drove Mercedes-Benz's $141,000 Tesla rival. I loved its luxurious interior and extra-long range, but it's not perfect.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Pro: Super luxurious interiorThe 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. Pro: A comfortable, silky-smooth rideThe 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. Con: Weird, mushy brakesThe 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. Pro: Rear-wheel steeringThe 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. Con: No front trunkThe 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580.

☆ Car companies want to make billions by charging monthly fees for features like heated seats, but buyers won't pay up
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Car companies expect to make billions charging customers recurring fees for vehicle features. As vehicles become increasingly connected to the internet, car companies aim to rake in billions by having customers pay monthly or annual subscriptions to access certain features. But car companies still haven't figured out exactly what customers are willing to pay for, and what feels like a frustrating upcharge. An April study by Cox Automotive found that 75% of consumers are not willing to subscribe to most vehicle features. Hackers have helped car owners upgrade their vehicles for years, and subscription features could be their next target, Vice reported.

☆ A top Tesla analyst is keeping his underperform rating on the stock, saying a key argument of the bulls is wrong
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Bernstein's Toni Sacconaghi is not seeing the software giant in Tesla his counterparts on Wall Street do. Primary drivers of software revenue The first major driver of current software revenue comes from deferred revenue recognition stemming from its software updates. The second driver of software revenue comes from software that allows for enhanced Autopilot and full self-driving. The analysis found enhanced Autopilot and FSD amounted to the lion's share of software revenue, bringing in around $240 million. "Perhaps our biggest contention with underlying bullish assumptions on Tesla and FSD is the sustainability of pricing on FSD," Sacconaghi said.

☆ I switched from a hybrid car to a $25,000 electric Mini Cooper. It's my first EV and it's so fun to drive.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Andrew Lambrecht | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

He went with the 2023 Mini Cooper SE, which is a fully electric model priced at just over $25,000. I bought my first fully electric car, the Mini Cooper SE, in July. I gravitated toward the Mini Cooper SE, despite it costing slightly more, because it shares many of its technical components with the BMW i3 since BMW Group owns Mini. The gas cap on a 2023 red Mini Cooper SE. I've enjoyed every moment of owning my Mini Cooper SE.

☆ I drove Mercedes-Benz's $141,000 Tesla rival and experienced the electric, screen-filled future of luxury cars
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580.

☆ GM reveals 2024 Chevrolet Trax crossover with new tech and design — at a lower price
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

2024 Chevrolet Trax ACTIV GMDETROIT — General Motors on Wednesday revealed a new version of its Chevrolet Trax — the brand's entry-level crossover — with new technologies and a more aggressive design, and at a lower price than the current vehicle. 2024 Chevrolet Trax RS GMThe starting pricing of the 2024 Trax will be $21,495 for an LT trim, which is $1,400 less than the current model. The only Chevrolet vehicle less expensive than the Trax is the much smaller Spark hatchback, which starts at under $15,000. It will be produced at a GM plant in South Korea, where the current model is built. 2024 Chevrolet Trax RS GMThe 2024 Trax features styling that debuted on the midsize 2019 Chevrolet Blazer and reappeared on the Chevy Trailblazer, another compact crossover.

☆ The 2024 Chevy Trax is GM’s new take on its cheapest SUV
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —General Motors unveiled a new, slightly bigger redesigned version of its cheapest entry-level SUV, the Trax. The subcompact Trax SUV has a starting price of just $21,500, a couple of hundred dollars below it’s current price putting it firmly among the cheapest SUVs on the market. All versions of the Trax, including flashy-looking Trax RS models, will have starting prices under $25,000, GM executives said. The Venue, Hyundai’s cheapest SUV, is front-wheel-drive only but the slightly more expensive Kona offers all-wheel-drive as an option. Active noise cancellation will also be a standard feature on all Trax models.

☆ Confused drivers think they have ‘self-driving’ cars. That’s dangerous, an insurance group warns
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Matt Mcfarland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington, DC CNN Business —Drivers are putting too much trust in their vehicles’ driver-assist features, which may lead to dangerous situations, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These systems are all driver-assist features that combine adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, primarily to keep a car in a lane and following traffic on the highway. The IIHS called for automakers to design these driver-assist features to promote proper use. Drivers were more likely to conduct non-driving tasks like these when using the driver-assist features. The findings were based on phone and online surveys of roughly 600 regular users of SuperCruise, Autopilot and ProPilot Assist.

☆ Honda's smallest SUV is stylish inside and out but disappointingly slow. See 5 pros and cons of the 2023 HR-V.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

I tested the 2023 Honda HR-V, the newest version of Honda's smallest SUV. Pro: Stylish inside and outThe 2023 Honda HR-V. Tim Levin/InsiderThe new HR-V dumps its predecessor's stubby proportions and quirks in favor of a smooth, modern, and ultimately more high-end look. Con: Sluggish on the highwayThe 2023 Honda HR-V. Tim Levin/InsiderTo be sure, nobody is buying a small SUV for its zero-to-60-mph time. Pro: Roomy interiorThe 2023 Honda HR-V. Tim Levin/InsiderThe new HR-V shares a chassis with the Civic sedan rather than the pint-sized Fit hatchback (which has been canceled in the US). Pro: Generous safety features and driver aidsThe 2023 Honda HR-V. Tim Levin/InsiderAll HR-Vs come with ample safety and driver-assistance tech as part of the Honda Sensing suite.

☆ I used Tesla's Autopilot for the first time and found it makes a long drive bearable — as long as you remember what it can't do
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I tried Autopilot, Tesla's advanced driver-assistance system, in the Model Y SUV. Needless to say, I was eager to test out Autopilot for myself when reviewing a Tesla Model Y recently. The Tesla Model Y. Tim Levin/InsiderAutopilot performed impressively well over a couple of hours of driving on divided highways and some two-lane roads. The few times that another car merged in front of the Tesla, Autopilot responded well. The Tesla Model Y. Tim Levin/InsiderAutopilot handles highways admirably and could be a great asset on long, monotonous road trips.

☆ Jimmy Kimmel renews ABC deal, looks forward to ‘quiet quitting’
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Megan Thomas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —You can stay up with Jimmy Kimmel for at least three more years. ABC announced Tuesday that Kimmel has signed a three-year contract extension to stay on as host and executive producer of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”The show will mark its 20th season in January and the late-night host joked he’ll mark the anniversary on cruise control. “After two decades at ABC, I am now looking forward to three years of what they call ‘quiet quitting,’” Kimmel said in a press announcement. And there are practical considerations, and there are family and friend considerations and coworker considerations,” Kimmel said. I’m not going to do this forever.”So while not forever, at least for the foreseeable future.

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