Today's Automotive Pulse
Updated 2h ago
Toyota bZ sales jump 79% to over 10,000 units in Q1
Toyota reported selling 10,029 units of its bZ crossover in the first quarter, a 79% increase over the same period last year. The surge follows a rebranding from bZ4X to bZ, higher range, power output and faster charging, as well as price reductions. Toyota plans to add three more electric models by 2026.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Slate Auto raises $650M Series C
Intel Shares Jump 51% in April, Adding $100 Billion to Market Value
Intel Corp. rallied 51% in April, lifting its market value by more than $100 billion. The surge was sparked by a $14.2 billion Irish plant buyback and fresh partnerships with Tesla’s Terafab project and Google’s data‑center Xeon chips, even as analysts warn the stock remains overvalued.
Waymo Robotaxis Stuck in Nashville Prompt Police Guidance
Waymo's self‑driving robotaxis experienced navigation failures and became stuck on Nashville streets, prompting the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department to release specific guidance for officers. The incident highlights sensor reliability questions and adds pressure on urban autonomous‑vehicle deployments.
Tesla Leads Dutch EV Market; FSD Subscription €99/Month
“Tesla is the most popular maker of electric cars in the Netherlands, w/ around 100,000 Model 3 & Model Ys combined on its roads that would be eligible for FSD.. Kees, a Tesla enthusiast, said he had purchased a subscription to...
Tesla FSD Demands Driver Vigilance at Tricky Intersections
Crossing a busy intersection with limited options for safe passage, Tesla's FSD sometimes requires quite a bit of courage. Looking left, it's relatively clear and predictable. But with cars backed up from the light on the right, it's less clear. Make...
EVALANCHE? CHINA'S GRIP TIGHTENS! EV DRIVER'S 'SMUG MODE?'
The Pulse Podcast episode examines two intertwined trends: a short‑term surge in electric‑vehicle sales triggered by the recent oil‑price shock, and the aggressive branding campaigns Chinese automakers are deploying to break into mature markets such as Europe and the UK. Data...
Slate Auto Launches Sub‑$20,000 Electric Pickup, Hits 100,000 Reservations
Slate Auto, the Jeff Bezos‑backed EV startup, revealed a fully customizable electric pickup priced under $20,000 after the $7,500 federal tax credit. Within two weeks of its public debut, the company logged more than 100,000 refundable $50 reservations, positioning it...
Toyota, Daimler Truck and Volvo Form Cellcentric to Accelerate Hydrogen Trucks
Toyota Motor Corp., Daimler Truck and Volvo Group have announced an equal‑partner joint venture, Cellcentric, to develop and mass‑produce hydrogen fuel‑cell systems for heavy‑duty trucks. The alliance aims to overcome long‑haul battery limits and spur refueling infrastructure, positioning senior leadership...
China’s Driverless Bus Operates Nonstop, 24/7
No Driver, No Breaks: China’s #Autonomous Bus Runs 24/7 by @jacksonhinklle #SelfDrivingCars #AutonomousVehicles #ArtificialIntelligence #Automation #Automotive #Transport https://t.co/uJ2EybIVnF
Uber Pilots Door‑to‑door Car Rentals, No Counter Needed
Uber Is Testing A Better Way To Rent Cars — Skip The Counter, Skip The Shuttle, Get Delivery - View from the Wing https://t.co/YVOVNExKct
Tesla Launches Nevada Semi Factory, Aims for 50,000 Electric Trucks Annually
Tesla has opened a new factory in Nevada dedicated to its Semi electric truck, targeting an annual output of 50,000 units. The plant sits beside the company’s 4680 battery cell facility, creating a tightly coupled supply chain that could cut...
NYT Proposes Conditional Entry for Chinese Automakers
.@NYTimes opinion piece: “We could allow Chinese automakers to enter the U.S. market provided their cars are manufactured in the U.S., their costs aren’t subsidized by the Chinese government and Chinese automakers satisfy U.S. government security concerns with regard to...
Europe Approves Tesla FSD, Critics Deem It Troubling
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system has just been approved in Europe for the first time, but critics have called the decision "deeply troubling" —here's why. https://t.co/lZXSvZRDMn
Tesla Secures First EU Approval for Supervised Full Self-Driving in the Netherlands
Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised system received approval from the Dutch vehicle authority (RDW), marking the first EU endorsement for a Level 3‑2 autonomous driving suite. The decision follows 18 months of testing and could unlock a continent‑wide rollout, boosting...
Zwitterions Are The Key To New Solid-State Batteries
Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists have engineered a polymer electrolyte infused with zwitterions that enables ion transport up to 10 billion times faster than conventional solid matrices. By fine‑tuning the zwitterion content to an optimal 80 % blend, the material forms self‑assembled...
Europe’s ICE Reliance Amid Fuel Crisis Is Reckless
Jaap Burger: "To keep Europe in the stranglehold of the internal combustion engine for any longer, in the midst of yet another fossil fuel price crisis, is nothing short of sheer stupidity and malice." 🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪 #alwaysbecharging ⚡️⚡️⚡️ https://t.co/H2gSnsaTM4
Toyota bZ Sales Surge To Over 10,000 In First Part Of Year
Toyota reported selling 10,029 units of its bZ crossover in the first quarter, a 79% increase over the same period last year. The surge follows a rebranding from bZ4X to bZ, along with higher range, power output and faster charging....
