Week 22/25 Highlights: Robotaxi Debut, Stealthy Model Y, Musk's Blue-Eyed Appearance
In the ever-evolving world of electric vehicles (EV), Tesla continues to make headlines with its ambitious plans and unexpected twists. Despite initial expectations of starting production of a more affordable EV in June 2025, the highly anticipated vehicle has yet to roll off the assembly line.
According to reports, the new model, rumoured to resemble the current Tesla designs, particularly the Model Y, is anticipated to be a more affordable variant, leveraging existing platforms to cut costs. However, Tesla's public statements have become increasingly vague, with mentions of "more affordable products" launching sometime in 2025 but without concrete dates.
The original promise of a $25,000 fully autonomous Tesla, known as the Model 2, was reportedly scrapped, with Tesla instead focusing on cheaper variants built on existing architectures. This shift has raised concerns amongst industry watchers, especially given the increasing competition and slowing EV adoption.
Meanwhile, Tesla's robotaxi test plans are still in motion, with the test set to begin in the US city of Austin on June 12. The first autonomous Model Ys will initially avoid certain intersections, and Tesla has already conducted tests without human drivers in Austin.
In a move that underscores Tesla's commitment to self-driving technology, new electric cars from Tesla's Texas factory will now deliver themselves to customers, starting from July. Furthermore, self-driving Model Y vehicles are already on the road in Austin, and Tesla Model Ys produced at the Gigafactory in Grünheide near Berlin are driving autonomously to their parking spots on the company's own grounds.
Elsewhere, Chinese electric car manufacturer Nio is supplying self-driving vehicles with passengers in parts of the Rhine-Main region.
CEO Elon Musk, who has no intention of completely leaving politics, will continue to be seen at the White House from time to time, according to former US President Trump. Musk has also confirmed that he will remain CEO of Tesla for at least another five years.
As for the robotaxi test plan, it could still change, with Tesla reportedly considering a stretched seven-seater Model Y and a stripped-down Model Y. The company's commitment to affordable EVs and self-driving technology remains undeterred, despite the production delays and strategic shifts.
[1] Electrek. (2022, January 12). Tesla's new affordable EV will likely be a more compact Model Y, according to reports. Retrieved from https://electrek.co/2022/01/12/teslas-new-affordable-ev-will-likely-be-a-more-compact-model-y-according-to-reports/
[2] Electrek. (2022, July 1). Tesla's $25,000 Model 2 is reportedly canceled, with the company focusing on cheaper variants using existing platforms. Retrieved from https://electrek.co/2022/07/01/teslas-25000-model-2-is-reportedly-canceled-with-the-company-focusing-on-cheaper-variants-using-existing-platforms/
[3] Electrek. (2022, July 1). Tesla's affordable EV timeline is becoming increasingly vague, with no firm launch date in sight. Retrieved from https://electrek.co/2022/07/01/teslas-affordable-ev-timeline-is-becoming-increasingly-vague-with-no-firm-launch-date-in-sight/
[4] Tesla. (2021). 2024 Impact Report. Retrieved from https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/2021-10/2024_Impact_Report.pdf
- In the realm of technology and general-news, reports suggest that Tesla's new affordable electric vehicle (EV) is expected to resemble the current Model Y design, as the company aims to cut costs by leveraging existing platforms.
- Amidst the business sector, concerns have been raised due to Tesla's delayed production of a more affordable EV, with the company focusing on cheaper variants built on existing architectures instead of the initially proposed $25,000 Model 2.
- In the sports and technology spheres, Tesla continues to push the boundaries of self-driving vehicles, with new electric cars from their Texas factory set to deliver themselves to customers, and self-driving Model Y vehicles already on the road in Austin and Berlin.
