EV Daily | Tesla Tests Ride-Hailing Model Y in Austin, Faces Competition from Ford and BYD Innovations

【Tesla】

Tesla plans to deploy a small fleet of Model Y vehicles for ride-hailing in Austin, Texas, using supervised Full Self-Driving technology with remote supervision from employees. This approach diverges from their earlier plans and presents a less impressive alternative to competitors like Waymo. Tesla has experienced fluctuating sales, with Model 3 registrations increasing significantly while Model Y saw a decline. The Ford F-150 Lightning has surpassed the Tesla Cybertruck in electric pickup sales. Additionally, Tesla faces challenges related to Elon Musk's political involvement impacting sales, and a new board member has been appointed amidst controversy over board autonomy and Musk's influence.

【BYD】

BYD is developing its first kei car, a class of ultra-compact vehicles, for the Japanese market. The upcoming mini EV is expected to feature a 20 kWh battery with a 180 km range and will be competitively priced against models like the Nissan Sakura. BYD's strategic move highlights its focus on low-cost manufacturing and in-house production advantages. The company is also rolling out new smart driving and charging technology, making its electric cars more efficient and appealing to young consumers in Japan.

【Others】

The Ford F-150 Lightning has returned as the best-selling electric pickup in the US, overtaking Tesla's Cybertruck. Despite being a leader in the EV market, Ford's sales have been affected by supply issues and political tensions. Tesla's Cybertruck initially led the market but has seen a decline in sales.

Dodge will discontinue its entry-level Charger Daytona R/T for 2026, focusing on the high-performance Scat Pack model instead. Changes include price reductions and new model introductions amidst tariff impacts.

New EV models like the Honda Prologue and Chevy Equinox have driven a significant increase in US EV registrations. Chevy has surpassed Ford in EV sales, with new models contributing to growth.

Mazda's EZ-6 electric sedan, priced under $20,000, will soon launch in Europe with a sporty new variant targeting younger drivers. Mazda offers various powertrains with significant driving range.

Hyundai is considering re-entering the Russian market after recent trademark filings and a buyback option on a previously sold factory. Motivated by geopolitical changes and the need to diversify, Hyundai plans to introduce affordable EVs.