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☆ Tesla launched its own car insurance. These drivers say it's a lemon.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +20 min

Tesla Insurance, launched in 2019 by the electric-car company, has promised policyholders “vastly better” service than rivals, as Tesla chief Elon Musk put it in April 2022. “What do they have, three people answering phone calls?”Complaints about Tesla Insurance are drawing scrutiny from state regulators and the plaintiffs’ bar. And there’s no way to know exactly how many have been made against Tesla Insurance and how its record compares with competitors’. That fall, Tesla launched InsureMyTesla, a new insurance offering for U.S. Tesla owners, in partnership with Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. Lester F. Aponte, a Los Angeles attorney who signed up for Tesla Insurance in August, described a maddening ordeal to obtain proof of insurance.

Persons: Mark Bova, lurched, “ I’m, ” Bova, policyholders “, Elon Musk, Musk, Bova, he’s, Tesla, ”, Musk’s, Virginia –, Phil Fioresi, Tesla’s adjusters, adjusters, ” Zachary Kirkhorn, ” Kirkhorn, Teslas, InsureMyTesla, it’s, It’s, Chanda Santiago, ” Santiago, Lester F, Aponte, haven't, Understaffed, “, —, Policyholders, Jonathan Garcia, Garcia, adjuster, Scott Sawyer, Sawyer, Lauren Lee Sawyer, ” Sawyer, –, Steve Stecklow, Koh Gui Qing, Norihiko, Mike Scarcella, John Emerson, Brian Thevenot Organizations: Green, U.S . Army Special Forces, Tesla Insurance, Tesla, Reuters, Bureau, Twitter, U.S, SpaceX, Ohio Department of Insurance, California Department of Insurance, Data, AAA, The Auto Club Group, Liberty Mutual Insurance Co, Liberty Mutual, Markel, National Insurance Company, State National, State, Facebook, Better, policyholders, Better Business Bureau Locations: Maryland, That’s, California , Utah , Illinois, Virginia, South San Francisco , California, California, Draper , Utah, Texas, policyholders, InsureMyTesla, U.S, Illinois, Colorado, Ohio, Florida , Georgia, Washington, Santiago, Los Angeles, Draper, North Carolina, Riverside , California

Tesla CEO Elon Musk appeared to endorse an antisemitic conspiracy theory posted to X.Musk is now facing backlash from advertisers and investors. AdvertisementTesla CEO Elon Musk is under fire after he appeared to endorse an antisemitic conspiracy theory. I don't think he seeks it out, but I just think he does appreciate it for his brand, his name, you know," he said. At the Monterey, California, shopping center, the Tesla Model Y owner said Musk could impact his decision to buy another Tesla. But as he's gotten older, he's like, 'Hmm, I'm not so sure about that brand' — because of Elon Musk," he added.

Persons: Elon Musk, —, I'd, he's, Tesla, Elon, Rashed Mohammed, Mohammed, He's, — he's, It's, I've, I'm Organizations: Service, Tesla, Defamation League, Del, Brooklyn Museum, EV, Twitter Locations: New York, California, New York City, Monterey , California, Brooklyn

☆ Some Tesla owners are thinking about ditching their cars, stock, or Cybertruck reservation after Elon Musk's problematic post
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Jordan Hart | Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Elon Musk's response to an antisemitic post has caused an uproar among some Tesla fans. Some Tesla owners and investors said they're looking to sell their cars and their stock over it. AdvertisementSome Tesla owners are sounding off after Elon Musk's latest online outburst that voiced support for an antisemitic tweet. AdvertisementAnother "livid and appalled" Tesla owner told BI they've already spoken to their financial advisor about selling their Tesla stock after over 10 years volunteering and investing in the company. AdvertisementAs a former Musk critic turned supporter and Tesla owner, I once admired Elon Musk for his anti-establishment stance, particularly as a father of a son with Asperger's.

Persons: Elon, Musk, —, Elon Musk's, Tesla, Peter, Arthur Kulak, Ross Gerber, they've, Citron, Andrew Left, Elon Musk, Asperger's, who's Organizations: Service, Business, Tesla, Citron Research Locations: Vermont, Reddit

☆ A reporter drove a Rivian to 126 EV fast-chargers in LA and found out-of-order signs on dozens of them
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Haley Tenore | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A reporter with The Wall Street Journal visited over 100 non-Tesla fast-charging stations across LA. She said 27% of the 126 fast-charging stations she visited did not work for various reasons. Tesla will allow cars from other brands to use its charging stations in the next year. During his drive, he stopped at three different charging stations before he was able to find one that was compatible with his car. The move will make electric vehicle charging more widely available to EV owners and may help address range anxiety among some non-Tesla owners.

Persons: —, Joanna Stern, Stern, Axios, Dan Primack, Primack Organizations: Wall Street Journal, Service, Tesla, US, Tesla EV, Wall Street, Consumer, Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Hyundai, EV Locations: LA, Los Angeles, Boston, New York City

☆ Tesla's backtracked $50,000 resale fee could be a sign the Cybertruck isn't destined for the mainstream yet
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Grace Kay | Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The fee could be a sign the Cybertruck might be a smaller release than expected, experts said. AdvertisementTesla's rescinded $50,000 resale fee is the latest sign the Cybertruck won't hit the market in large numbers anytime soon. These restrictions are rare, but they're most commonly used on limited-production vehicles, Stephen Beck, founder and managing partner of consultancy cg42, told Business Insider. "It's really hard to say how many people on the reservation list will actually buy it," Moody told Business Insider. "There will be just as many people who want to work the system to make money as people who want to own this vehicle," Moody said.

Persons: Tesla, —, Elon Musk, Stephen Beck, cg42, Elon, Beck, Musk, Brian Moody, Moody, Ivan Drury, Edmunds, Drury, Ford, John Cena Organizations: Service, Ford GT, scalpers

☆ Tesla is under investigation by the Justice Department over its driving range claims, and reportedly over plans to build a glass house for Elon Musk
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Tesla disclosed in its quarterly report that it had been subpoenaed by the Department of Justice. The company said it was asked for information on personal benefits and vehicle range, among others. AdvertisementAdvertisementTesla is being investigated over its cars' driving range and perks for executives, the company disclosed on Monday. In its quarterly report to investors, Tesla said it had been subpoenaed by the Department of Justice "regarding certain matters associated with personal benefits, related parties, vehicle range and personnel decisions." According to The Wall Street Journal, Tesla's disclosure of an investigation related to "personal benefits" pertains to a secret project which involved building a glass house for Elon Musk.

Persons: Tesla, —, Elon Musk Organizations: Department of Justice, Reuters, Service, Wall Street, Elon, DoJ, Securities, Exchange Commission

☆ This guy turned the 'action button' on his iPhone 15 Pro into a 'Starbucks button' that orders him a latte as he approaches the store
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A TikToker has put the iPhone 15 Pro's action button to use as a customized coffee-ordering shortcut. He can bypass the app and order Starbucks with the click of a button on his phone. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe new iPhone 15 Pro's action button can make your coffee runs quicker. Pushing the action button triggers certain actions only in specific instances. The iPhone 15 models launched in September, and the new iPhone 15 Pro has been met with criticism since its release.

Persons: —, TikToker Brett Turner, Turner, he's, Brett Turner Organizations: Service, Starbucks, Apple, Saturday

☆ Elon Musk said a Tommy gun was fired at Tesla's Cybertruck 'Al Capone style' to test if it was bulletproof. Critics aren't so sure.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Video of a Tesla Cybertruck covered in bullet marks spread on X after a negative Q3 earnings call. Elon Musk claimed testers shot at the vehicle "Al Capone style" to ensure it was bulletproof. Critics quickly doubted the claim, saying they'll believe it when they see video of such a test. "We emptied the entire drum magazine of a Tommy gun into the driver door Al Capone style," Musk wrote in response to YouTuber Farzad Mesbahi re-posting the clip. AdvertisementAdvertisement"Should have done steel ball on window, *then* sledgehammer the door," Musk wrote in 2019 of the Cybertruck window failing.

Persons: Elon Musk, Al Capone, —, Elon, Tesla, Musk, Farzad Mesbahi, weren't Organizations: Service, Tesla Owners, Twitter

☆ Tesla owners are using the new button on the side of the iPhone 15 Pro to unlock their cars, pop the frunk, and get the AC going
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Kylie Kirschner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The new iPhone 15 Pro has a customizable "action button" in place of the ring/silent switch. Tesla owners are using the button as a customizable key fob for their cars. The button can be programmed to unlock the car, open the trunk, and start the AC or heating. AdvertisementAdvertisementTesla owners with the new iPhone 15 Pro have quickly begun taking advantage of the phone's new customizable "action button." People have started publishing videos on TikTok and YouTube Shorts highlighting the different Tesla-specific shortcuts they're assigning to their iPhone's action button.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Apple, YouTube

A Tesla Model 3 vehicle drives on autopilot along the 405 highway in Westminster, California, U.S., March 16, 2022. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Tesla Inc FollowOct 2 (Reuters) - In a victory for Tesla (TSLA.O), a judge has ruled that a group of vehicle owners must pursue claims that the company misled about its Autopilot features in individual arbitration rather than court. The ruling means Tesla will not have to face class action claims on behalf of much larger groups of vehicle owners. A fifth plaintiff who did not sign an arbitration agreement waited too long to sue, Gilliam ruled in dismissing that plaintiffs' claims. The company moved to send the claims to arbitration, citing the plaintiffs' acceptance of the arbitration agreement.

Persons: Mike Blake, Tesla, District Judge Haywood Gilliam, Gilliam, Andrew Kirtley, Kirtley, Daniel Wiessner, Alexia Garamfalvi, Deepa Babington Organizations: Tesla, REUTERS, U.S, District, Thomson Locations: Westminster , California, U.S, Oakland , California, California, Los Angeles, Albany , New York

A Tesla Model 3 vehicle drives on autopilot along the 405 highway in Westminster, California, U.S., March 16, 2022. The ruling marks a significant victory for Tesla, as it means the company will not have to face class action claims on behalf of much larger groups of vehicle owners. A fifth plaintiff who did not sign an arbitration agreement waited too long to sue, Gilliam ruled in dismissing that plaintiff's claims. The company moved to send the claims to arbitration, citing the plaintiffs' acceptance of the arbitration agreement. Gilliam on Saturday rejected claims by the plaintiffs that the agreements signed by four of the plaintiffs were unenforceable.

Persons: Mike Blake, Tesla, District Judge Haywood Gilliam, Gilliam, plaintiff's, Daniel Wiessner, Alexia Garamfalvi, Deepa Babington Organizations: Tesla, REUTERS, Tesla Inc, U.S, District, Thomson Locations: Westminster , California, U.S, California, Los Angeles, Albany , New York

☆ A millennial who quit teaching to be a full-time Uber and Lyft driver has made $36,000 so far this year — but thinks it's better as a part-time gig
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Aaron Lavender, 36, gave up teaching last year to work as a full-time Uber and Lyft driver. But he said ride-hailing is more profitable and sustainable as a part-time gig. He'd been driving part time for Uber and Lyft since 2021, but last summer, he decided to go full time — driving at least 40 hours a week. AdvertisementAdvertisementBut whether these gigs can be sustainable full-time jobs — or whether they're better kept as side hustles — is up for debate. A 2022 survey of 810 California Uber and Lyft drivers conducted by a ride-hailing advocacy group found that two-thirds of them had been deactivated at least once.

Persons: Aaron Lavender, Uber, Lavender, he's, Aaron Lavender Aaron Lavender, stokes, it's Organizations: Service, Uber, California Uber, didn't, Tesla Locations: Wall, Silicon, Colorado, California

☆ Tesla is giving away a free car to owners who get their friends to buy a Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Tesla owners who get a friend to buy a Tesla before the end of the month could win a free car. It's part of Tesla's revamped referral program, which incentivizes owners to spread the word about the brand. Tesla runs a loyalty program whereby owners get a unique referral code they can share with friends. Tesla significantly pared back the referral program in recent years after saying it was too expensive to the company. Credits can also buy Tesla fans a factory tour or an entry to win a futuristic Cybertruck pickup.

Persons: Tesla, Musk Organizations: Service, Elon Musk's, Owners Locations: Wall, Silicon

Shivon Zilis was pictured alongside Elon Musk and their twins for the first time on Wednesday. Insider first reported that Musk quietly fathered twins with Zilis, a director at Neuralink, in 2021. AdvertisementAdvertisementGrimes, whose legal name is Claire Boucher, said on X that communication about Zilis' twins "wasn't handled super well." Last week, in a since-deleted post on X Grimes accused Zilis of blocking her on social media. The Neuralink director has also taken to posting about her children in recent months.

Persons: Shivon Zilis, Elon Musk, Musk, Zilis, Elon Musk's, Walter Isaacson, —, Isaacson, Musk wasn't, Justine, Grimes, He's, he's, Tesla, Justin Sullivan, Ray Kurzweil, I've, Sam Altman, OpenAI's, Jonathan Raa, Neuralink, Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, ck Elon Musk, Gonzalez, Austin Zilis, Claire Boucher, wasn't, Musk's, X Grimes, Tau, ftw Organizations: Service, Yale University, Yale, IBM, Bloomberg Beta, Forbes, Canadian, Conference, Neuralink, Getty, Food and Drug Administration, California, Twitter, SpaceX Locations: Zilis, Wall, Silicon, Austin, Ontario, Canada, Markham , Ontario, California, Texas, Boca Chica, South Texas

☆ A bumper sticker mocking Elon Musk is sparking a polarizing debate about what it means to drive a Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A picture of a bumper sticker that mocks Elon Musk is again making the rounds on social media. A Reddit post about the sticker sparked a debate on whether Tesla can be separated from its CEO. It's unclear where the apparent bumper sticker originated, or whether there's more than one. As for the reaction to the bumper sticker, one user said people need to stop tying Musk so closely to Tesla. "It's idiotic," the user posted on a thread with a photo of the bumper sticker.

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla, Elon, There's, Musk, Joe Biden, Redditors, I've, Redditor, I'd, MAGA Organizations: Service, EV, Twitter, Defamation, ADL, Starbucks, OG, Bloomberg, CNN Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ A Tesla bumper sticker that says 'I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy' keeps popping up on social media. It's prompting a debate about whether you can separate a product from its CEO.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A picture of a bumper sticker that mocks Elon Musk is again making the rounds on social media. In the picture that was posted on the "me_irl" subreddit, a Model Y is shown with a bumper sticker that says: "I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy." It's unclear where the apparent bumper sticker originated, or whether there's more than one. As for the reaction to the bumper sticker, one user said people need to stop tying Musk so closely to Tesla. "It's idiotic," the user posted on a thread with a photo of the bumper sticker.

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla, Elon, There's, Elon Musk's, Musk, Joe Biden, Redditors, I've, Redditor, I'd, MAGA Organizations: Service, EV, Twitter, SEC, Tesla, Defamation, ADL, Starbucks, OG, Bloomberg, CNN Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ 'It's a dealbreaker:' Some Tesla fans are complaining about the new Model 3's 'terrible' turn-signal buttons
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Tesla fans have applauded the sedan's new looks and longer range. But some don't like that Tesla moved the turn signals to buttons on the steering wheel. Well, Elon Musk is reinventing Tesla's turn signals, and some fans of the company aren't too happy about it. But Tesla also said goodbye to the Model 3's steering-wheel stalks, a decision that's rattled some fans. The turn signals have been relocated to a pair of tiny buttons on the left side of the steering wheel.

Persons: Tesla, Elon Musk, It's, I'm, Tesla Tesla Organizations: Service Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ Elon Musk's Tesla almost ran a red light during a FSD demo, video shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Elon Musk's Tesla almost ran a red light at a Palo Alto intersection while demoing FSD software. AdvertisementAdvertisementElon Musk's Tesla almost ran a red light at a Palo Alto intersection during a live demo of an unreleased version of Tesla's Full Self-Driving software. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe video demonstrated v12 of Tesla's FSD technology, which has not yet been released to consumers. The software's beta version was released to some Tesla owners in 2020 and is now available to anyone who pays for it. During the video, the Tesla CEO may have violated California law by holding his phone during the live-streamed drive.

Persons: Elon Musk's Tesla, Musk's Tesla, we've, Tesla Organizations: Twitter, Palo Alto Police Department Locations: Palo Alto, California

☆ Tesla owners share their best tips for taking an EV on a road trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Autopilot and Tesla's Full Self-Driving beta feature are also a major plus for relaxing on the road, some drivers said. Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesAll Tesla models are equipped with the Autopilot feature, which enables a car to steer, accelerate, and brake automatically within its lane. Earlier this year, Model S owner Tim Heckman told Insider the driver assist features were a "lifesaver" on his 6,392-mile road trip. Long trips can take a mental toll," Heckman said at the time, noting that he'sd used Autopilot on previous road trips and discovered he could drive further without getting tired. Zuga told Insider Autopilot is one of several features that he feels make road trips less stressful and safer in a Tesla.

Persons: Chris Walker, Tim Heckman, Heckman, Zuga Organizations: Chicago Tribune, Tribune, Service, Getty, Traffic, Administration, California Department of Motor Vehicles

☆ Tesla's Supercharger Cables Are Too Short for Some Other Electric Cars
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Tesla began to open some of its exclusive Supercharging stations to other electric vehicles earlier this year. But the cords are designed for Teslas, meaning that owners of some other cars need to use two spaces to plug in. There's just one kink that Elon Musk hasn't ironed out: The charging cables, which were designed for Teslas, aren't long enough to comfortably accommodate some other cars. That poses a problem when other electric cars, which may have their charging ports elsewhere, try to charge up. Tesla owners sometimes experience long lines at charging stations, particularly during popular travel times.

Persons: Tesla, There's, Elon, Marques Brownlee, Electrek, Dave Conner, Conner, Tom Moloughney Organizations: Morning, EV, YouTube, Ford, Hyundai Locations: New York

☆ Elon Musk says users on X, formerly Twitter, will lose ability to block unwanted followers, eliminating key safety feature
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Ari Levy | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Users of X, formerly known as Twitter, will no longer be able to block comments from unwanted followers, according to a post by X owner Elon Musk on Friday, eliminating what's long been viewed as a key safety feature. "Block is going to be deleted as a 'feature', except for DMs," Musk wrote Friday. The mute feature just keeps the individual user from seeing the undesired responses, but doesn't eliminate them from others' feeds. Twitter users have also long employed the block feature in boycotts and to avoid seeing ads from specific brands or promoters on the platform. Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, an investor in the new Twitter alongside Musk, said in a post that the company should focus its attention elsewhere.

Persons: Elon Musk, Musk, Changpeng Zhao, Zhao, Louis Jones, Jones, — CNBC's Lora Kolodny Organizations: Twitter, DMs, Tesla, Brand Safety, CNBC

☆ I rented a Tesla on Turo for a road trip. I own an EV, but 3 things about the Model 3 still surprised me.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Gia Mora | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Gia Mora, an electric-vehicle enthusiast, went on a 1,000-mile road trip in a Tesla Model 3. Gia MoraWe decided to rent a longer-range electric car on Turo, a peer-to-peer car-rental app. Using a key card is different from controlling the car by appMora locks the Model 3 with a key card. Tesla Model 3 one-pedal driving is hard to adjust toBy the end of the trip, Mora felt comfortable driving the Tesla Model 3. Tesla Model 3 is worth the hypeThe Model 3 had a reliable range, accessible charging stations, luxurious seats, and glasslike driving.

Persons: Gia Mora, Mora, Tesla, Amy, Amy Senger, Steve Mandzik, Amy Senger Amy, Mora sips, San Luis Obispo, Senger, we'd, I'd, would've Organizations: Tesla, Nissan, Fiat, John Wayne Airport, Turo Locations: Northern California, San Ardo , California, Orange County , California, Orange County, Los Angeles County, Salinas, Santa Barbara, San Ardo, San Luis, San Luis Obispo , California

☆ Numerous Tesla owners say they've been trapped inside their EVs after they lost power. Here's how to manually open a Tesla door if you get stuck inside.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Numerous Tesla owners say they have been trapped inside their EVs after they lost power. Teslas come with manual door releases, but they can be hard to find without the owner's manual. Numerous Tesla owners have said they've been stuck inside their EVs after the cars suddenly lost power. The manual door release can be tricky to find unless you've combed through your car's owner's manual. TeslaThe Model 3 owner's manual states that "only the front doors are equipped with a manual door release."

Persons: Tom Exton, Exton, Rick Meggison, Meggison, Tesla, Teslas Organizations: Tesla, ABC Locations: Arizona

☆ Ford's CEO had a charging 'reality check' on his electric F-150 Lightning road trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ford CEO Jim Farley hit the road in an electric F-150 Lightning last week. Access to the Supercharger network in 2024 could ease these challenges. Farley hit the road in an F-150 Lightning last week , traversing Route 66 and the American West to put the electric truck through its paces. At the end of the trip on Sunday, Farley shared his experience with charging the massive electric pickup truck. But the Dearborn, Michigan-based car company is partnering with Tesla to make the Supercharger network available to Ford drivers starting next spring .

Persons: Jim Farley, Farley, Ford EVs, Tesla, Rivian Organizations: Morning, Twitter, Ford, GM Locations: American, Coalinga , California, Dearborn , Michigan

☆ A Tesla owner took his Model S camping on a 19-day road trip and slept in it nearly every night
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

David Craig said he took his Tesla Model S on a 19-day road trip and slept in it almost every night. The Tesla owner said Camp Mode made his trip much easier and stress-free. A Tesla road trip? David Craig has been on a number of bucket list road trips over the years, but he told Insider he found a new perk when he took his Tesla Model S on a 8,500-mile road trip — Camp Mode. "I always know what I'm getting into when I camp in my Tesla," Craig said.

Persons: David Craig, Craig, I've, Tesla, they've Organizations: Camp, EV, Kia EV Locations: Southern California, Arizona , Texas , Arkansas, Kentucky, Tesla, California, Colorado, Kansas

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