Tesla's Full Self-Driving system has frequent malfunctions, while Xiaopeng and Volkswagen are collaborating to establish an ultra-fast charging network in China. | Overseas Daily

"Top 3 News"

Frequent Failures in Tesla's Full Self-Driving System, Users Encounter Difficulties
 

Key points: On January 6, 2025, the computer system of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system experienced frequent malfunctions, causing many users to encounter serious problems during use, and even leading to dangerous driving situations. Tesla's fully autonomous driving feature is one of the company's most innovative technologies, but the recent computer failure issues have attracted widespread attention and complaints from car owners.

Many Tesla owners stated that when using the fully autonomous driving system, their vehicles suddenly experienced a system crash, resulting in the FSD function not working properly. Some owners reported that the vehicle suddenly lost navigation instructions while driving, or the automatic braking system made a misjudgment, causing the vehicle to suddenly slow down or even stop on the highway or urban roads. A more serious situation occurred on the highway, where Tesla's fully autonomous driving system did not promptly identify the obstacles ahead, forcing the owner to manually intervene to avoid a possible collision.

Some owners reflected on social media that the difficulties caused by computer failures not only affected the driving experience but also put them in an extremely dangerous driving environment in some cases. For example, some drivers reported that the vehicle suddenly entered a "frozen" state, with the screen not displaying any information and being completely unable to control the speed and direction, which made them feel extremely uneasy.

Tesla's FSD system relies on a specially designed fully autonomous driving computer (referred to as the FSD computer), which is responsible for processing sensor inputs, vehicle control, and navigation decisions. However, the hardware and software parts of this computer have shown obvious malfunctions in some vehicles. It is understood that these failures are mainly concentrated in the central processing unit of the FSD computer, and may involve hardware overheating, storage problems, or unstable power management. Tesla has not made a public statement on this issue, and some owners have not received an effective solution after contacting Tesla customer service.

Tesla FSD Computer (from electrek)

The malfunction of Tesla's FSD computer is not only a technical problem but also involves driving safety. Since the FSD system has an increasingly strong control over driving, if the computer malfunctions, it is difficult for car owners to regain control of the driving in a short period of time. Many users reported that even if they remain vigilant at all times, they still feel uneasy when relying on the FSD system for driving, especially when the system fails or responds slowly, and the safety of the driver cannot be guaranteed. The impact of this problem is not only limited to the technical circle but has also attracted the attention of regulatory agencies. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other traffic safety agencies are reviewing the safety of Tesla's FSD system, especially the emergency response capability in the case of computer failures.

Opinion: As the world's leading electric vehicle manufacturer, Tesla has always been known for its innovation and technological forefront. However, the FSD system problem that has emerged this time has raised doubts among many consumers about the safety of its autonomous driving technology. In my opinion, the computer failure of the FSD system is not only a technical challenge but also a major test for Tesla's future development.

The hardware failure of the FSD system directly affects the driving experience of car owners and even their life safety. Autonomous driving technology is considered the trend of future automotive development. Tesla's leading position in this field makes its FSD system have great market potential. However, when the system malfunctions, the driver cannot fully rely on the autonomous driving system for decision-making but must remain vigilant at all times and be ready to take over the vehicle control at any time. This obviously goes against the original intention of fully autonomous driving. Especially when driving at high speed, if the FSD system suddenly fails, the owner's reaction time and handling ability may be limited, which undoubtedly increases the risk of an accident.

The failures of the computer hardware and software reflect some possible deficiencies in Tesla's testing and iteration process of autonomous driving technology. Although Tesla regularly releases updates to improve the functionality of the FSD system, these problems indicate that the stability and reliability of its hardware part still need to be significantly improved. If Tesla continues to ignore these fundamental problems, the widespread promotion of its FSD system in the future will face greater resistance. The trust of car owners in autonomous driving technology directly affects the acceptance of the entire market. If car owners experience frequent failures during use, it may eventually lead to consumers losing confidence in Tesla and its autonomous driving technology. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other agencies are investigating Tesla's FSD system and requiring it to provide detailed failure data and safety reports. If Tesla cannot prove the safety of its technology, it may face more strict reviews and even affect the subsequent development and sales of the FSD system.

The All-New Genesis GV60 Electric SUV Debuts

Key points: On January 6, 2025, Genesis officially released its new electric SUV - GV60. The GV60 combines luxury and environmental protection, not only providing an excellent driving experience but also meeting the needs of consumers for future travel methods through advanced technical configurations.

The exterior design of the new Genesis GV60 fully showcases the characteristics of a modern luxury electric SUV. The front face adopts the signature shield-shaped air intake grille, combined with sharp LED headlights, creating a visual effect that combines both a sense of technology and dynamics. The side of the vehicle features a streamlined design, combined with large-sized wheels, enhancing the sportiness and modernity of the vehicle. The overall shape is both noble and has a strong sense of the future. The interior fully reflects the luxury of the Genesis brand. The seats are made of high-quality leather and environmentally friendly materials, equipped with a full LCD instrument panel and a 15-inch large-screen central control, and is equipped with the latest Infotainment system. This system supports voice control and touch operation, making it very intuitive and convenient to use. The GV60 also features an intelligent cockpit and augmented reality navigation, improving the safety and convenience of driving.

The New Genesis GV60 (from electrek)

The GV60 offers multiple power options, including rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions, equipped with an electric motor with a maximum power of 350 kilowatts. Depending on the configuration, the GV60 has a cruising range of more than 400 kilometers, sufficient to meet the needs of long-distance travel. Equipped with an 800V fast-charging system, the GV60 can be charged to 80% in just 20 minutes, greatly improving the charging efficiency. In addition, the GV60 is also equipped with a dynamic torque distribution system, enabling the vehicle to provide excellent handling and stability in different road conditions. In terms of safety, the GV60 is equipped with many active safety technologies, including automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, etc. At the same time, the GV60 also has an adaptive cruise control and a driver attention monitoring system, providing a more intelligent driving experience and ensuring the safety of the driver and passengers.

Opinion: The Genesis GV60 is a mobile intelligent space that combines luxury, technology, environmental protection, and performance. As a luxury electric SUV, it retains the elegant and stable elements in its exterior design, combining modern luxury with a sense of future technology. Especially the shield-shaped air intake grille and LED headlights on the front face are both recognizable and extremely dynamic.

The Genesis GV60 introduces an 800V fast-charging system, which can charge the vehicle in an extremely short time; the intelligent configuration of the vehicle, including augmented reality navigation and an intelligent cockpit, makes the driving experience more safe and convenient; the 350-kilowatt electric motor with four-wheel drive provides a strong power output for the vehicle, meeting the driving needs in different road conditions. In addition, the GV60 has functions such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring in terms of safety, which all improve the driving safety to a certain extent.

XPeng and Volkswagen Collaborate to Build Ultra-Fast Charging Network in China

Key points: Recently, XPeng Motors and Volkswagen Group announced that they will collaborate to build a super-fast charging network, aiming to promote the development of the electric vehicle market in China. According to the joint statement released by the two companies, this charging network will cover major cities in China and is committed to solving one of the biggest bottlenecks in the popularization of electric vehicles - the charging problem.

According to the plan, charging stations will be deployed nationwide, including first-tier cities as well as some second-tier and third-tier cities. It is expected that through this cooperation, XPeng and Volkswagen will jointly invest several billion yuan to quickly establish charging infrastructure to meet the rapidly growing demand of the future electric vehicle market. The new charging network will support DC fast-charging technology, and the charging speed can reach several tens of kilometers of cruising range per minute for the battery, significantly shortening the charging time.

This cooperation not only contributes to the vigorous development of the electric vehicle market but also provides consumers with a more convenient and efficient charging experience. As the electric vehicle market continues to expand, consumers' demand for charging facilities is becoming increasingly strong. The launch of this cooperation plan is precisely to make up for the current shortage of charging infrastructure construction and promote the popularization of electric vehicles in the Chinese market.

Currently, China has become the world's largest electric vehicle market, and the government has also launched a number of policies to support the development of the new energy vehicle industry. This cooperation between XPeng and Volkswagen is not only an important layout of the two companies in the Chinese market but also in line with the strategic goals of the Chinese government to promote green travel and a low-carbon economy. The two companies stated that in addition to building charging stations, in the future, they will further improve the intelligent level of the charging network, use big data and artificial intelligence technology to optimize the charging service, and improve the use efficiency and convenience of charging piles.

In addition, the cooperation between XPeng and Volkswagen will be carried out at multiple levels, including the research and development of charging equipment, the operation of the charging network, and the management and maintenance of charging facilities. Through this cooperation, the two sides can fully utilize their respective technical advantages and market experience to jointly build a more efficient charging infrastructure and promote the sustainable development of the Chinese electric vehicle industry.

Opinion: The cooperation between XPeng and Volkswagen marks an important step in the construction of charging facilities in the Chinese electric vehicle industry. With the rapid development of the electric vehicle market, the charging problem has become one of the biggest concerns for consumers when purchasing electric vehicles. This cooperation between XPeng and Volkswagen is not only a strategic decision made by the two enterprises based on market demand but also an important attempt by the entire industry to solve the "charging difficulty" problem. By building a super-fast charging network, the convenience of using electric vehicles can be greatly improved, the range anxiety of consumers can be reduced, and more people can be encouraged to choose electric vehicles to facilitate green travel.

"Major Events"

BMW Sells Over 50,000 Electric Vehicles in the US in 2024, Setting a New Record

On January 6, 2025, BMW announced that its electric vehicle (EV) sales in the US market surpassed the 50,000-unit mark for the first time in 2024, setting a new historical record for the brand in the region. This move marks an important step in BMW's global electrification transformation and further consolidates its competitiveness in the US market.

BMW's electric vehicle sales in 2024 reached 53,000 units, an increase of nearly 30% compared to the previous year. This is the first time that BMW has sold more than 50,000 electric vehicles in a single year in the US market, demonstrating its strong momentum in the electrification field. This achievement also allows BMW to occupy a more stable position in the highly competitive electric vehicle market. BMW's electrification product line includes several models such as the i4, iX3, iX, and the newly released i7, among which the i4 and iX have become the main sales force. Especially the i4, with its excellent performance and relatively affordable price, has been widely recognized by consumers. In addition, BMW's electric vehicle sales in the US market not only reflect consumers' trust in the brand but also indicate the gradual popularization of the electrification trend among traditional automakers.

The New BMW i4 M50 xDrive (from BMW)

BMW plans to have approximately 25 pure electric vehicles available worldwide by 2026, and the US market will undoubtedly be one of its important battlefields. According to BMW's strategic plan, the US market will become an important pillar of its global electrification transformation in the next few years. BMW has established a more comprehensive charging network in key markets such as California and New York, dedicated to improving the convenience and charging experience for consumers. Oliver Zipse, BMW's global CEO, said in a public speech: "We are not only expanding the electric vehicle product lineup but also continuing to invest in advanced battery technology and intelligent driving systems to further enhance the performance and safety of the vehicles. The breakthrough in the US market is one of the important signs of the success of BMW's electrification strategy."

Lucid Achieves Record-Breaking Electric Vehicle Deliveries for Four Consecutive Quarters, Demonstrating Strong Growth Momentum

On January 6, 2025, Lucid Group (LCID) announced that its electric vehicle deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2024 reached a record high, marking the company's fourth consecutive quarter of breaking its delivery record. Lucid stated that with the continuous improvement of productivity and the increase in market demand, the brand's position in the electric vehicle field has been further consolidated. The successful delivery results in the fourth quarter of 2024 have injected strong momentum into the company's annual performance and future outlook.

Lucid Group reported that its electric vehicle deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2024 reached approximately 18,000 units, an increase of more than 20% compared to the same period of the previous year. This achievement has enabled Lucid to set a new highest delivery record for itself for four consecutive quarters, showing a strong growth momentum. Lucid's successful deliveries in the past year also reflect the improvement of its production and supply chain management capabilities. Peter Rawlinson, Lucid CEO, said: "We are pleased to maintain continuous growth and establish a stronger competitiveness in the all-electric luxury sedan market. 2024 was a challenging year for Lucid, but we successfully turned these challenges into opportunities by improving production efficiency and expanding the sales network."

Lucid Gravity SUV (left) and Air (right) (from Lucid)

Lucid's overall electric vehicle deliveries exceeded 70,000 units in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of more than 30%. This achievement marks Lucid's increasing competitiveness in the US and global markets. Lucid's luxury electric sedans, especially the Lucid Air series, have received high praise from consumers for their excellent cruising range, luxurious interior, and innovative technology. Since its release, the Lucid Air has been attracting more and more high-end consumers with its outstanding cruising performance and luxurious design. Lucid stated that the Air Dream Edition has a maximum cruising range of up to 520 miles (about 837 kilometers), which has become an important benchmark in the industry. In addition to the excellent cruising performance, the Lucid Air's power system, intelligent driving assistance functions, and interior design all demonstrate the brand's in-depth understanding of the high-end electric vehicle market.

Lucid has not only achieved significant results in the US market but also continues to expand in overseas markets. The company is accelerating its expansion in Europe