Tesla's FSD is postponed again, and Ford's electric pickup is facing production suspension. | Overseas Daily
"Top 3 News"
Tesla's New Developments in Autopilot: FSD v13 Version Delayed
Key Points:
Tesla has recently updated its roadmap for autonomous driving technology, confirming that the highly anticipated update of the Full Self-Driving (FSD) v13 version will be postponed until next month, while making more promises for future features. Last month, Tesla released its first "AI Roadmap", detailing the updates and new features to be rolled out through the FSD project. Although Tesla claims to have achieved all the goals for September on the AI roadmap, including a "approximately 3 times improvement in intervention interval mileage" with the v12.5 version, no evidence has been seen to support this. In fact, according to the best available crowdsourced data that Tesla refuses to make public, the v12.5 is actually a step backward compared to the widely released v12.3 version. In the original October goals, Tesla planned to achieve "driverless parking, maneuvering, and reversing" with FSD, as well as a "approximately 6 times improvement in intervention interval mileage" with the v13 version. As October comes to an end, Tesla has released the latest progress: approximately 50,000 customers have experienced the "end-to-end highway network" through the v12.5.6.1 version, which means using neural networks for control on highways, not just in urban streets. Additionally, the construction of the Cybertruck has improved responsiveness, and the successful "We, Robot" event saw 50 self-driving Teslas safely transporting over 2,000 passengers. For the next plans, Tesla says "end-to-end highway driving" will be launched next week, but only for Tesla owners with HW4 (Hardware 4.0). HW3 (Hardware 3.0) owners will continue to use the improved v12.5.x model for urban driving. Tesla also mentioned that the "actually smart summon" feature will be launched in other regions around the world, including Europe and China, but no clear timetable has been provided.
Tesla Autopilot (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
Tesla has indeed made some progress in autonomous driving technology, such as launching the end-to-end driving function on highways for some users and successfully holding the self-driving event. However, the delay of the FSD v13 version and the neglect of HW3 owners show that Tesla has problems in technology updates and hardware compatibility. Tesla's autonomous driving technology roadmap is ambitious, but the actual progress seems not as expected. The delay of the FSD v13 version and the expected adjustment from a "6 times improvement" to a "4 times improvement" indicate that Tesla is facing challenges in achieving its autonomous driving goals. In addition, Tesla's neglect of HW3 owners may affect its customer loyalty and market reputation.
BYD Unveils New Luxury Denza Z9 EV with Luxury Interior
Key Points:
The interior design of BYD's upcoming luxury electric sedan, Denza Z9, has been revealed for the first time, unveiling the mystery ahead of its global debut on November 15. This highly anticipated luxury electric vehicle will be officially unveiled at the Guangzhou Auto Show, marking BYD's further layout in the high-end electric vehicle market. The interior design of the Denza Z9 continues the three-screen layout of the GT version, similar to other Denza models such as the N7, while providing luxury configurations such as entertainment screens, folding tabletops, and leg supports for rear passengers. The body size of the Denza Z9 is 5,180 mm in length, 1,990 mm in width, and 1,500 mm in height, directly competing with the Porsche Panamera GTS. It is expected that the standard version Z9 will be slightly smaller than the GT version. The Denza Z9 will be available in both pure electric and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions. Like the GT version, the expected standard version electric sedan will be equipped with three electric motors with nearly 1,000 horsepower (710 kilowatts).
Denza Z9 EV (Source: Electrek)
Opinions:
The interior design and configuration of the Denza Z9 demonstrate BYD's deep understanding of luxury and comfort, as well as its deep accumulation in the field of electric vehicle technology. From a design perspective, the three-screen layout and luxury configurations in the rear of the Denza Z9 will undoubtedly provide consumers with an unprecedented driving and riding experience. This design not only enhances the technological sense of the vehicle but also meets the needs of high-end consumers for personalization and comfort. At the same time, the body size and power configuration of the Denza Z9 make it comparable in performance to luxury models of internationally renowned brands. BYD's move also reflects the rise of Chinese automotive brands in the global market. With BYD's expansion globally, its leading position in the electric vehicle field will be further consolidated. The launch of the Denza Z9 will not only enhance BYD's competitiveness in the high-end market but also promote the entire industry to develop in a more high-end and intelligent direction. In general, the interior exposure of the Denza Z9 makes us full of expectations for BYD's future development. BYD is known for its ultra-high cost-effective electric vehicles, such as the Seagull with a starting price of less than $10,000 (about 69,800 RMB) in China. However, this electric vehicle giant is rapidly expanding into new market segments. This summer, BYD launched its first plug-in hybrid pickup truck, the Shark PHEV, and expanded its product line in the fields of smart electric SUVs, electric supercars, and luxury models. After selling over 1 million new energy vehicles (electric vehicles and PHEVs) in the third quarter, BYD announced a record net profit ($1.6 billion) and revenue ($28.2 billion), surpassing Tesla's revenue ($25.47 billion) in a single quarter for the first time. However, BYD's data includes PHEVs. In order to continue to grow, BYD is rapidly expanding into new overseas markets. The company has opened or plans to open new factories in Thailand, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, and Hungary to expand its global footprint.
Hyundai Casper EV Cross First Exposure with a New Design
Key Points:
The new low-cost electric vehicle, Hyundai Casper EV Cross, under Hyundai Motor, has made its first public appearance, bringing a series of bold design upgrades. Although we know that this "Cross" variant will enter the European market, this is the first time to see the upgraded design in the domestic market. Just earlier this month, Hyundai launched the Inster EV Cross, giving this electric city car a new off-road appearance. The Inster EV is Hyundai's Casper Electric model for overseas markets. In South Korea, the starting price of the Hyundai Casper EV is about $20,000 (about 27.4 million won), and Hyundai says that after subsidies, the purchase price of the new car can be less than $8,000 (about 10 million won). In Europe, its starting price is less than $27,000 (about 25,000 euros). Hyundai says that the Cross variant is designed for "those seeking a more adventurous look for electric vehicles". Although the Inster EV Cross offers the same versatility as the standard model, it adds rugged design elements including a new front and rear bumper, black trim, skid plates, roof racks, and more. A new video from HealerTV reveals more design elements of the Casper EV Cross, including roof racks and more aggressive black trim. Reporters point out that the Hyundai Casper EV Cross has a "more mechanical and futuristic" look than the existing models. It almost looks "like a robot" and adds an off-road feel. The WLTP range of the Inster EV Cross can reach 223 miles (360 kilometers). In South Korea, the range of the Casper Electric can reach 195 miles (315 kilometers). Although the Hyundai Casper (Inster) EV is not expected to be available in the United States, this low-cost model was first discovered in California this month. Meanwhile, off-road enthusiasts can look forward to Hyundai's upgraded 2025 IONIQ 5, which will offer a sturdy XRT trim. The 2025 IONIQ 5 XRT model has also recently been photographed undergoing tests before delivery.
Hyundai Casper EV (Source: Hyundai)
Opinions:
This new model not only shows Hyundai's new ideas for the electric vehicle market in design but also reflects Hyundai's in-depth understanding and precise positioning of the market segments. The bold design upgrade of the Casper EV Cross will undoubtedly attract consumers who seek personalization and an adventurous spirit. From a design perspective, the "mechanical and futuristic" and "robot-like appearance" of the Casper EV Cross is a bold attempt by Hyundai in electric vehicle design. This design can not only attract the attention of young consumers but may also become a new trend in future electric vehicle design. At the same time, the added off-road elements make this electric vehicle not only a tool for urban commuting but also able to meet the needs of consumers for outdoor activities. However, as a low-cost electric vehicle, the range and performance of the Casper EV Cross are still the focus of consumers' attention. Although the WLTP range reaches 223 miles, whether it can reach this standard in actual use and how it performs in different climates and road conditions remains to be further tested by the market.
"Big Events"
Aptera Completes First Low-Speed Test Drive of Its First Production-Intent Solar Electric Vehicle
The American solar electric vehicle startup Aptera Motors has taken an important step in the mass production process, as its first production-intent (Production-Intent, referred to as PI-2) solar electric vehicle has completed its first low-speed test drive. This milestone event not only brings hope to the company's supporters and investors but also marks a substantial progress for Aptera on the road to bringing solar electric vehicles to the mass market. The PI-2 model of Aptera Motors is the first vehicle to integrate production components, and it underwent a low-speed test drive at the Aptera factory in southern California to verify its design and performance. Although it looks somewhat rough on the outside, Aptera emphasizes that the internal structure and functionality are the focus of the PI-2. The PI-2 integrates Aptera's recently adopted Vitesco Technologies EMR3 drive system, an in-built motor solution announced earlier this year. This test drive validates the critical combination of Aptera's proprietary battery pack with the EMR3 powertrain, which is now being tested under real-world conditions.
Aptera Solar Electric Vehicle (Source: Electrek)
The body structure of the PI-2, the so-called Body in Carbon (BinC), drives the production powertrain for the first time under the code developed internally by the company, powered by a proprietary battery pack, demonstrating Aptera's strength in engineering flexibility and innovative manufacturing methods. Although the production-intent model PI-2 has not yet installed solar panels, Aptera plans to integrate solar technology in the next step, as well as the production-intent thermal management system and external surfaces of the SEV. After completion, the PI-2 will undergo high-speed track testing to verify its general performance characteristics and core efficiency data, including watt-hours per mile, solar charging rate, and expected battery range. Aptera Motors still has a long way to go before achieving mass production and delivering solar electric vehicles to nearly 50,000 reservation holders. The company still needs a large amount of capital to achieve this goal, and the current $60 million capital raise is only the first step in its global expansion plan.
Hyundai Secures Massive Renewable Energy Supply in South Korea, Enough to Charge 7 Million EVs
The South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Company is accelerating towards a cleaner future. The company has just signed the largest renewable energy supply contract in South Korea, a huge clean energy supply that is enough to fully charge its all-electric IONIQ 5 SUV more than 7 million times. On Wednesday, Hyundai Motor Company announced a new renewable energy supply contract with Hyundai Engineering & Construction, SK E&S, GS E&R, and Enlighten. Through this new Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Hyundai will receive 610 GWh of renewable energy per year for the next 20 years, making it the largest energy supply contract in South Korea. Hyundai says this electricity is enough to fully charge the IONIQ 5 with an 84 kWh battery more than 7 million times. With the new energy supply, Hyundai expects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 5.6 million tons. A spokesperson for Hyundai Motor Company said, in addition to the PPA, "We plan to build a diverse portfolio of renewable energy and accelerate the reduction of carbon emissions by expanding solar power generation facilities, with the goal of converting all electricity used in domestic and overseas business sites to renewable energy by 2045."
Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Electrek)
This agreement is the latest move by Hyundai to accelerate the transition to 100% renewable energy use at home and abroad. Hyundai plans to gradually expand solar power generation in South Korea to ensure a stable future supply. In 2024, Hyundai has built 20MW of solar power in its network in South Korea. Next year, it will add another 11MW in Ulsan, when the construction of its first dedicated electric vehicle factory will be completed. Hyundai's Czech and Indonesian factories have already been converted to 100% renewable energy, and Hyundai is also accelerating the transformation overseas. Next year, the company plans to purchase all electricity for its factories in the United States, India, and Turkey through PPAs, and this electricity will all come from renewable energy sources.
Rivian Offers $3,000 Discount for Buyers Switching from Gasoline Vehicles
Rivian Electric Vehicle (Source: Electrek)