Tesla Semi kommt 2027 nach Europa

Gute Nachrichten! Werden sich elektrische Lkw vielleicht schneller verbreiten als elektrische Pkws?

"Diesmal ist Tesla nicht der Pionier. Wenn 2027 die ersten Tesla Semi an europäische Kunden ausgeliefert werden, trifft der Elektro-Lkw auf einen Markt, den andere bereits besetzt haben.

Mercedes-Benz verkauft den eActros 600, MAN den eTGX,

Scania mehrere batterieelektrische Fernverkehrsmodelle.

Volvo hat gerade die Serienproduktion des FH Aero Electric Extended Range mit bis zu 700 km Reichweite gestartet. ...

Die Zugmaschine soll weniger als 9,1 t wiegen. Zum Vergleich: Mercedes-Benz gibt für den eActros 600 je nach Ausführung rund 11,4 t Leergewicht an. Seine drei Lithium-Eisenphosphat-Akkupakete speichern zusammen 621 kWh, rund 600 kWh davon sind nutzbar. Mit Standardauflieger nennt Mercedes etwa 22 t Nutzlast.

Tesla scheint den europäischen Semi damit stärker auf Nutzlast zu optimieren. Weniger Batterie bedeutet weniger Gewicht – und kann mehr Spielraum für Fracht schaffen. ..."

Tesla Semi kommt 2027 nach Europa – mit einer ungewöhnlichen Strategie

The launch of golden Cybercab is Tesla's ‘fork in the road’ moment with no steering wheel nor pedals and the NHTSA is investigating it

Good news!

"In a couple of hours, Tesla will “launch” the Cybercab — a small, gold, two-seater sedan with no steering wheel or pedals that uses cameras and AI to navigate the world — in its hometown of Austin, Texas. ...

At the time this story was published, 420 autonomous vehicles were registered in Texas, according to the state’s automated vehicle tracker. ..."

"The United States’ top automotive safety regulator [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)] has opened an investigation into Tesla’s decision to launch its new Cybercab on public roads with no steering wheel or pedals. ..."

The Cybercab is Tesla's ‘fork in the road’ moment  | TechCrunch

Feds launch investigation into Tesla’s Cybercab deployment

Full Self-Driving Is the Best Thing About the New Tesla Model Y

Does the car still have a steering wheel? 😊

2026 Tesla Model Y Review: Software, Take the Wheel - WSJ (behind paywall) "Facing stiffer competition from rivals, Tesla’s updated Model Y relies on its street-savvy software to maintain an edge"

11 EV carmakers (incl. Tesla) recall a total of over 4 million cars as part of China-wide push to stop hidden door handles

When elegant design and electronics meet reality!

Notice how few cars are affected by this recall in a country with over 1 billion population! However, keep in mind there are probably hundred millions of electric motorcycles in operation in China.

"Tesla is recalling just shy of 3 million vehicles in China as part of a nationwide effort to alert vehicle owners to hidden emergency door releases, which can trap occupants in the event of a crash or a fire.

Reuters reported on Friday that 11 carmakers in China are issuing recalls related to the problem. Nine manufacturers, including Tesla, will install warning labels on their vehicles that help occupants identify the emergency door releases.

Xiaomi, Xpeng, and Geely brands Zeekr and Lynk & Co. are also recalling EVs. All 11 companies will also push software updates as part of the recall.

Manual door releases have become a problem in recent years as automakers like Tesla made electronic door latches the standard way of getting in and out of a car. ..."

"Summary

• China's largest auto recall campaign yet concerns 4.3 million vehicles
• Tesla to recall 2.98 million vehicles
• China bans hidden door handles from 2027

..."

Tesla recalls 3 million cars as part of China-wide push to stop hidden door handles | TechCrunch

Tesla and others begin record vehicle recall in China

Tesla and SpaceX will invest an initial $16.8B to start building 'Terafab' chip factory in Texas

Impressive! This is huge!

"Tesla and SpaceX said Thursday that “Terafab,” the advanced chip factory they are jointly developing, will be built in Grimes County, Texas, outside Houston, and that they will make an initial investment of $16.8 billion in the project.

The factory will be “the largest and most valuable building on Earth by far,” Elon Musk, CEO of both companies, wrote in a post on Thursday. More than 100 million square feet of manufacturing space is planned for the facility, according to SpaceX. ..."

"... construct a vertically integrated semiconductor fabrication plant in Grimes County. The first phase of the Terafab project represents a capital investment of more than $16.8 billion and will create 3,000 new jobs. ..."

"... Terafab will be epic in both its mission and in its sheer size, designed to build new compute at an unprecedented scale and speed.

A vertically integrated factory with more than 100 million square feet of manufacturing space is planned.

This facility will house the manufacturing, packaging, and testing of advanced logic and memory devices. Bringing these aspects together in one location will enable fast, recursive improvements and accelerate new compute deployed. Terafab will produce chips optimized for edge computing and inference for use in hardware like Tesla’s Optimus robots and self-driving Cybercabs, along with high-power chips designed for operating SpaceX’s space-based data centers. ...

Much of the world’s semiconductor production remains concentrated overseas, and the United States has recognized the importance of rebuilding advanced manufacturing capacity domestically. Terafab aligns with that broader national effort by expanding high-end manufacturing capacity in Texas. ...

The Terafab site is committing to the use of Gibbons Creek Reservoir water for industrial operations rather than local groundwater; planned on-site wastewater treatment facilities; water reuse and conservation efforts ..."

Tesla and SpaceX will invest $16.8B to start building 'Terafab' chip factory in Texas | TechCrunch

Governor Abbott Announces SpaceX Expansion In Grimes County

Breaking Ground on Terafab in Texas (original news release)

Tesla Model Y 2026 is first car to meet new US driver assistance safety benchmark

Good news! When are we getting rid of the steering wheel and breaks?

"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Tuesday that the later release 2026 Tesla Model Y is the first vehicle to meet the agency’s new benchmark for advanced driver assistance systems.

Four pass-fail tests were added to the agency’s safety ratings program, assessing a car’s automatic emergency braking for pedestrians, blind-spot warning, blind-spot intervention, and lane assist, a feature that helps keep the vehicle in the lane.

The new benchmark rating applies to 2026 Tesla Model Y vehicles assembled on or after November 12, 2025. ..."

Tesla Model Y is first car to meet new US driver assistance safety benchmark | TechCrunch

The Netherlands Vehicle Authority has become the first European regulator to approve Tesla’s supervised self-driving software

Good news! Dutch cyclists are not afraid of autonomous vehicles! 😊

"The Netherlands Vehicle Authority has become the first European regulator to approve Tesla’s supervised self-driving software, commenting that “Proper use of this driver assistance system makes a positive contribution to road safety.” Seems especially notable coming from the world’s foremost cycling nation."

"... RDW [Dutch vehicle authority] said in a statement on Friday, adding that it would also submit an application for the technology to be used throughout the EU.”"

Doomslayer: Progress Roundup

Tesla Supervised Self-Driving Software Gets Dutch Okay

Tesla adds 'streaks,' other stats to track how often drivers use Full Self-Driving software

This article stinks! It does not say anything how many Tesla drivers are currently subscribed to this Full Service Driving software nor how many subscribers since introduction of FSD in lat 2020.

How often is e.g. this FSD actually engaged while driving a Tesla vehicle on public roads since 2020? Is this a secret?

"Tesla is rolling out a new self-driving app that makes it easier for owners to subscribe to its Full Self-Driving software and see statistics on how — and how often — they use it. The app will display information about FSD, including multi-day streaks, adding a gamified element to the driver assistance software. ..."

Tesla adds 'streaks,' other stats to track how often drivers use Full Self-Driving software | TechCrunch

China is leading the fight against hidden car door handles by prohibition beginning 2027

Bad news! What is this all about? Some kind of a trade war?

For how long have these hidden car door handles been around on how many cars?

According to Google search results such car door handles have a long history:

"Key, early, and modern milestones include:

1947: The Cisitalia 202 sports car is credited with the first use of a hidden, flush-mounted door handle.

1950s: The practice of "shaved door handles" (removing external handles for a smooth look) became popular in custom car/hot rod culture, often using solenoids for access.

1970s/80s: Manufacturers like Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Toyota (Celica) began incorporating integrated, flush-style handles."

I am not aware of any past news indicating serious issues with this type of car door handle in case of severe traffic accidents.

"One of the design features that became synonymous with Tesla has been banned in China.

Under new safety rules published Monday by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, cars sold in the country must have mechanical releases on their door handles. The new rules, which go in effect January 1, 2027, will prohibit the hidden, electronically actuated door handles popularized by Tesla — and now found on numerous other electric vehicles in China.

The new rule dictates that each door (excluding the tailgate) should be equipped with a mechanically released external door handle. Vehicles must also have a mechanical release on the interior of the vehicle. ...

Numerous high-profile fatal incidents, in which occupants have become trapped in their vehicles, have raised concerns among safety regulators and advocates globally. China is the first country to issue a ban. ..."

China is leading the fight against hidden car door handles | TechCrunch

China Bans Hidden EV Door Handles in World-First Safety Rule

Tesla toppled by Chinese carmaker BYD as world’s biggest seller of electric vehicles

Can the West keep up with China? BYD has over a 1,000 dealerships in Europe alone.

Tesla engaged in deceptive marketing for Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, judge rules. Really!

Bad news! What is going on in California again? Politically motivated lawfare? Technophobia?

Caveat:  I am not familiar with the details of this case.

"An administrative law judge has ruled that Tesla engaged in deceptive marketing that gave customers a false impression of the capabilities of its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving driver assistance software, a pivotal development in a years-long case initiated by California’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

The judge agreed with the state DMV’s request to suspend Tesla’s sales and manufacturing licenses in the state for 30 days as a penalty for its actions, but the DMV stayed the order and is giving Tesla 60 days to comply. ...

The company has signaled it won’t comply, though. Tesla said in a post on X that: “Sales in California will continue uninterrupted.”

“This was a ‘consumer protection’ order about the use of the term ‘Autopilot’ in a case where not one single customer came forward to say there’s a problem,” the company wrote. ..."

Tesla engaged in deceptive marketing for Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, judge rules | TechCrunch

Tesla receives ride-hailing permit in Arizona in last required step to launch robotaxi service

Good news! Competition is good, more competition is better! It is boring to see only Waymo cabs driving around in the Phoenix metro area.

A robotaxi coming to you soon! 😊

"... A spokesperson with Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) told TechCrunch the automaker applied for a Transportation Network Company (TNC) permit on November 13. Tesla met the requirements to operate as a TNC and is permitted as of November 17, according to ADOT.

The permit is the final regulatory step to launch a robotaxi service in Arizona, a state that has become a hub of autonomous vehicle technology testing and development.

Waymo, the Alphabet-owned self-driving company and the dominant robotaxi provider in the U.S., has operated a service in the Phoenix area since 2018. Today, Waymo robotaxis cover a service area of 315 square miles in the greater Phoenix metro area."

Tesla receives ride-hailing permit in Arizona in last required step to launch robotaxi service | TechCrunch

Source

Norway's wealth fund vote is latest blow to Musk's $1 trillion pay package

Did Elon Musk aim too high this time? But if you don't try ...

"Another major shareholder has said no."

"Norway’s sovereign wealth fund has voted against a Tesla proposal to give CEO Elon Musk a compensation package worth $1 trillion.

The fund, which is managed by Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), holds a 1.14% stake in Tesla valued at about $11.7 billion, according to its mid-year filings in June. ..."

Norway's wealth fund vote is latest blow to Musk's $1 trillion pay package | TechCrunch

A man on a mission?

Tesla Offers an almost $1 Trillion Compensation agreement over 10 years for Elon Musk

Is this an incentive package to keep him out of politics? 😊 

However, there are some stringent requirements attached. Global competition regarding electric vehicles is getting fiercer (e.g. China BYD). Even a genius like Musk may not be able to achieve them.

"Tesla has proposed a new compensation agreement for CEO Elon Musk, potentially worth up to nearly $1 trillion, a massive package without precedent in corporate America.

The plan, which requires shareholder approval, is meant to incentivize Musk to spend more time with the struggling car company. The full payout requires him to hit several aggressive benchmark targets.

To reach the first target, Tesla needs to reach a market valuation of $2 trillion and achieve 20 million vehicle deliveries, vs. fewer than 2 million in 2024. Eventually, for the full payout, Tesla would need to reach a market cap of $8.5 trillion.

The proposal would also require 1 million robotaxis in commercial operation and the delivery of 1 million artificial intelligence bots. Musk would need to remain with Tesla for at least seven and a half years to cash out on any stock, and 10 years to earn the full amount."

Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 - Join The Flyover

Elon Musk Announces Samsung Will Produce New AI Chips For Tesla in Texas

Good news! This is huge!

Can Tesla Succeed in India? Here Are the Roadblocks with Palki Sharma

It will be tough!

The Hidden Autopilot Data That Reveals Why Teslas Crash

Very recommendable! It has been reported many times over the years that Tesla's exclusive reliance only on video footage is obviously insufficient and unreliable for the autopilot to function properly and safely! Why Elon Musk has not corrected this is a serious mistake! Pending lawsuits may end up costing him a lot more!

Musk’s Multibillion-Dollar Tesla Payout Gutted By US Judge with Palki Sharma

If you thought that Delaware was a business friendly state, then you might want to reconsider!

Tesla primarily uses only camera-based driver assist technology?

If confirmed, simply insufficient! Autonomous vehicles probably need at least two different sensory systems.

"Video and data that WSJ gathered from more than 200 crashes show how Tesla’s camera-based driver-assist technology is putting the public at risk. Humans train Tesla’s systems on obstacles that the car might encounter, while other companies’ driver-assist cars are equipped with radar and lidar, an expensive technology that uses lasers to identify obstacles. (Some Tesla models have radar.) CEO Elon Musk has repeated over the years that some Tesla models can drive autonomously more safely than a human driver and that the company’s mix of sensors is good. The automaker disputes government claims that it misled the public about its cars’ capabilities."

The Wall Street Journal What's news

The fantastic rise and fall of Tesla Motors

In a market economy competition is relentless and catching up. Tesla is symptomatic for electric vehicles! They are no panacea!

Many Western governments heavily resorted socialist market interventions, high subsidies and central planning in the name of the fabricated climate crisis! This certainly did not help!

Many Western governments have run up so many high deficits and so much debt to fuel a long lasting price (and shrink) inflation not seen in decades! When food prices are sky high, who can afford an electric vehicle?

"After a period of rapid expansion, Tesla has seen its sales fall and its once-enviable margins shrink. While Elon Musk's company remains the world’s most valuable automaker by a wide margin, its market capitalization has tumbled by more than half since it peaked in 2021. For the first time in years, the biggest question for Tesla is not whether it will be able to make enough cars, but whether people will buy them. WSJ’s Rebecca Elliott has the inside tale of Tesla’s fall to earth."

The Wall Street Journal What's news