🎧 Tesla Daily Podcast
📝 Today’s Tesla News Summary
1. Tesla Cybercab Launches in Austin — NHTSA Opens Probe
Tesla officially launched driverless Cybercab rides in Austin, marking the first commercial steering-wheel-free autonomous taxi in the US. Goldman Sachs says the Cybercab could beat Waymo on cost by up to 30 cents per mile. However, NHTSA opened a formal investigation into nearly 1,000 Cybercabs, examining Tesla’s self-certification process for the vehicles.
2. Tesla Dealership Incidents
Three people were hospitalized after a Tesla crashed into a South Portland, Maine dealership during a test drive. Separately, police are investigating a suspicious fire that damaged four Tesla vehicles at a Corte Madera, California dealership.
3. China Sales Fall 24% — Third Straight Monthly Decline
Tesla’s retail sales in China dropped 12.4% in August, with overall car sales in the world’s largest EV market falling 24%. Tesla needs a record September to hold its quarterly performance in China after a weak August.
4. Slovenia Approves Tesla FSD Ahead of EU Vote
Slovenia became the sixth EU country to approve Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system, clearing the way for expanded deployment a month before the EU votes on broader autonomous vehicle regulations.
5. XPeng Beats Tesla to Mass Production of Humanoid Robots
XPeng began mass production of its IRON humanoid robot, claiming to have beaten Tesla’s Optimus to volume manufacturing. Tesla’s Optimus program continues to face delays.
6. Model Y L Exceeding EPA Range Estimates
The new Tesla Model Y Long Range is exceeding its EPA-estimated range in real-world testing, with some drivers reporting better-than-expected efficiency. New Cybertruck lease offers have also rolled out for September, and FSD V14 Lite is reportedly coming soon to Model S and Model X.