EV Daily | Tesla's Robotaxi Ambitions and BYD's Market Dominance Shake Up Global EV Scene

【Tesla】

Elon Musk announced that Tesla's Robotaxi service is expected to debut in California within the next two months, awaiting regulatory approval. However, skepticism surrounds this claim as Tesla has been shifting the goalposts on self-driving promises for years. Despite these doubts, Tesla shareholders remain hopeful. The CA DMV reported that Tesla hasn't applied for necessary permits, contradicting Musk's regulatory bottleneck claim. Additionally, Tesla's stock rose following the announcement, though public belief remains low. Meanwhile, Panasonic is delaying battery production at a new Kansas factory due to a predicted demand slump from Tesla, its primary customer. Tesla's sales decline in Europe and China but remain strong in the US, which may change with upcoming tax credit removals. Also, Tesla reduced the Model Y price in Canada to revive sales after tariffs affected the market.

【BYD】

BYD has emerged as China's top-selling car brand, surpassing Volkswagen. The company's sales exceeded 2.1 million vehicles this year, representing a 33% increase. With next-gen models on the horizon, BYD and other Chinese manufacturers are expanding overseas, challenging global automakers.

【Others】

Lucid Motors delivered a record 3,309 vehicles in Q2, maintaining a positive growth streak. The company plans to produce 20,000 vehicles in 2025, with its first electric SUV, Gravity, gaining praise. Lucid holds $5.7 billion in liquidity to support operations until 2026.

Volkswagen is closing its Nanjing plant in China due to slow sales, shifting production to electric vehicles. The closure reflects broader struggles among global automakers in China.

Hyundai and Kia are launching lower-priced EVs, like the Hyundai IONIQ 2 and Kia EV2, to counter US tariffs. These models target the European and Asian markets.

Giant Bicycle has recalled 6,200 Momentum Vida E+ e-bikes due to a defect in the front fork posing crash risks. Owners are advised to stop using the bikes and seek free inspections and replacements.

Munro Vehicles' M-Series 4x4 EVs are nearing production with over £17 million in orders. Designed for off-road use, the vehicles come in SUV, pickup, and chassis models, boasting significant durability and power.

Harley-Davidson's electric moped concept remains unproduced, missing an opportunity in the growing light electric motorbike market.

Royal Enfield's first electric motorcycle, potentially the Himalayan ADV model, will feature a 14 kWh battery, making it the most powerful in its lineup.

Club Car's CRU microcar now offers a lithium-ion battery option, tripling its range and improving performance, albeit at a higher price point.