EV Daily | Tesla Revises Self-Driving Claims, Launches Robotaxi; Xpeng's M03 Surges; Lucid, Jeep, Honda Updates

【Tesla】

Tesla has weakened its promises about unsupervised self-driving capabilities on its new vehicles, now referring to Full Self-Driving (FSD) as 'supervised' in its online configurator. Despite earlier claims by CEO Elon Musk that all cars since 2016 would achieve ‘level 5’ autonomy, this has not materialized. The price of the FSD package has been reduced from $15,000 to $8,000, affecting the resale value of used Tesla vehicles. Tesla plans to unveil its new Robotaxi, designed for self-driving, which raises questions about the company's commitment to achieving true autonomy on existing consumer vehicles. Tesla’s chaotic leadership and reduced sales growth rates have also contributed to a decline in EV sales growth, with other brands gaining market share. Tesla and Uber have introduced in-car integration for rideshare navigation, allowing Uber drivers to send trip details automatically to Tesla’s navigation system. This feature aims to simplify the rideshare experience for Tesla drivers.

【Xpeng】

Xpeng Motors has received strong interest in its new MONA line, particularly the M03 model, which garnered over 30,000 pre-orders in its first 48 hours. The M03’s starting price was surprisingly set at RMB 119,800 ($16,815), lower than initially promised. The demand has led Xpeng to ask its suppliers to increase production capacity, with the aim of speeding up delivery times. The M03 is currently averaging 2,000 new orders per day, totaling between 54,000 and 60,000 orders within two weeks.

【Others】

Lucid plans to launch a $50,000 EV aimed at competing with Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y, which will be part of the company's new midsize electric models. Lucid's Gravity SUV will feature an NACS port, providing access to over 15,000 Tesla Superchargers, and is set to begin production later this year. Lucid also plans to launch three lower-cost electric models, with the first being a midsize electric SUV priced competitively to challenge Tesla’s Model Y.

Jeep’s first EV, the Wagoneer S, may be delayed in the US due to a focus on ensuring high quality. The Wagoneer S is expected to feature a modern design with advanced tech and a starting price of $71,995. Jeep is also working on other electric models like the Wrangler-inspired Recon EV and an electric Renegade priced under $25,000.

Honda is preparing to build its first electric model, an Acura, at its Ohio EV hub, with production slated to begin in late 2025. The hub will produce gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles. Honda aims for 100% of its sales to be EV or fuel cell vehicles by 2040.

Rivian’s 2024 R1T pickup has been awarded the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ honor, making it the only BEV in the pickup segment to earn this recognition. The R1T scored "Good" in most safety categories, continuing its trend from previous years.

Mercedes has partnered with Factorial to develop new all-solid-state EV batteries, which could extend EV range by up to 80% and reduce weight by 40%. The new tech, known as Solstice, aims to address safety concerns and improve efficiency.