Tesla

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Tesla in space rings true with skyrocketing price increases

There once was a time when Elon Musk unveiled a plan to change the automotive landscape and offer his Tesla performance electric car for about $35,000. Musk has changed the car industry but his marketing promise never materialized. The original Tesla Model S debuted in March 2009 with a base price of $57,400 ($49,900 after federal tax credits). With the company founder’s pricing increase announcement March 15, the entry level price for Tesla is now about 40 percent more than originally promoted nearly 15 years ago. The latest price hike is far from the first price increase for the performance car. But it’s the second time in a week and the latest increase affects the brand’s entire line-up of electric

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#217, RVs, Tesla, Hyundai Santa Cruz, World Car of the Year

New RVs. A massive Tesla recall. Hyundai‘s new hip pickup. The World Car of the Year nominations. It’s all covered — and more — this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia don’t have a guest on Episode No. 117, which gives us the ideal opportunity to catch up with the never-ending and always-changing automotive landscape. We start with the continuing still-new exploits of Bruce and his wife’s adventures in their 29-foot Keystone RV and its towing vehicle a new Ford F-250 pickup truck. Bruce details learning the nuances of backing the RV into a camping site and his quickly advancing skill set as a first-time RV owner. Depending upon perspective, Elon Musk is the

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New Tesla rear camera, trunk woes prompt 475,000 recalls

Tesla is recalling more than 475,000 of its Model 3 and Model S electric cars from model years 2014 to 2021 because of rearview camera and trunk issues that increase the risk of crashing. The U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer is recalling 356,309 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles to address rearview camera issues and 119,009 Model S vehicles due to front hood problems, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced The federal regulator has been discussing another camera issue with the automaker while probing the electric vehicle manufacturer’s driver assistant system and other issues. According to the manufacturer’s sales figures, the total number of vehicles being recalled is about the same volume of vehicles Tesla delivered in 2020. Tesla: Recall Issues

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#202, Joe Wiesenfelder of Cars.com talks future of EVs

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:39 — 53.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreJoe Wiesenfelder is the executive editor of Cars.com and he’s immersed in the future of EVs — electric vehicles. According to the website’s recent data, about one-third of car buyers are actively looking to purchase their first electric vehicle. But many questions remain with the anticipated growth. Wiesenfelder and his colleagues are counting on it. Wiesenfelder is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. EVs: Marketplace will expand Co-host Bruce Aldrich and I discuss with the long-time journalist the future of the electric vehicle market and the goal of Cars.com to assist consumers with their buying decisions. “Cars.com bought its first

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#194, Lawyer, engineering expert questions Tesla’s AutoPilot

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:45 — 69.7MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreTesla isn’t new to controversy and nor is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and both are back in the news. The NHTSA, previously critical of the electric vehicle manufacturer, recently said its conducting a preliminary evaluation into the carmaker’s self-titled “Autopilot” systems after 11 crashes in nine states. The concern, the agency reported, is how the driver assistance technology works to “monitor, assist, and enforce the driver’s engagement with driving while Autopilot is in use.” Bryant Walker Smith, an associate professor in the School of Law and the School of Engineering at the University of South Carolina, discusses the Tesla situation on

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PREVIEW: 2022 Kia EV6 channels Tesla

The 2022 Kia EV6 crossover arrives as the carmaker’s first dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV). The introduction of EV6 signals the U.S. launch of Kia’s ‘Plan S’ strategy. It will deliver 11 all-new electrified models globally by 2026. Starting with the EV6, Kia’s EV lineup will carry a unique naming convention. The “EV” designation will be followed by a number indicating the car’s position in the lineup. The EV6 can be configured with rear-or all-wheel drive and is available with a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle or an electric motor on both axles. While all all-wheel-drive models have the larger battery pack and either 313 or 576 total horsepower, the base rear-drive example has a smaller battery

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#187, Cars.com index: Tesla, the most American made

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:08 — 38.6MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreTesla innovation has changed the automotive world with a lot of industry firsts. Its latest designation is the top spot on the latest American Made Index (AMI). Introduced 16 years ago by the editors of Cars.com, the AMI analyzes a range of factors to determine the  percentage of new cars and trucks made American Kelsey Mays, the assistant managing editor at the online motoring website that debuted in 1998, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. He discusses with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia the latest index result and Tesla’s top spot. “We like to think that the index

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Electric truck wars: 9 manufacturers ready to charge

Changing nearly as fast as gas prices, there’s seemingly constant news in the electric truck market. More manufacturers are debuting EV pickups while others have plans to do so in the not-too-distant future. At least nine manufacturers are in the electric truck business, led by Tesla and Rivian. Here’s a synopsis of arguably the top-two most anticipated EV trucks and a list of the manufacturers currently in the market. Telsa has plans to offer Cybertruck. Company founder and CEO Elon Musk changes his mind often. But the pending slate currently includes a tri-motor with all-wheel drive, a dual-motor AWD model and a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive. Electric trucks ready to charge Prices were announced starting at just under $40,000. The tri-motor option

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Speaking of driverless cars, Elon Musk to host SNL

Will he arrive in a rocket or an electric car? Will he be sober or stoned? Whatever the scenario, NBC has announced Elon Musk will host Saturday Night Live on May 8. Miley Cyrus will be the musical guest. It doesn’t get any more bizarre. Musk is the founder of Tesla, the electric vehicle, and SpaceX, the innovative aerospace manufacturer. Cyrus is a controversial, gender-fluid singer and songwriter. Musk has been known to smoke in public. While the two guests will attract attention (it’s rating week), Musk and Cyrus have been booked at an unusual time. Mother’s Day is May 9. Saturday Night Live isn’t shy about its unique choice of guest hosts. While the long-running show relies on entertainers

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Driverless Tesla crashes, two dead in Texas blaze

A Tesla Model S authorities reported wasn’t being operated by anyone in its driver’s seat advanced over a curb, smashed into a tree, erupted into flames and left its two occupants dead in Spring, Texas. The crash occurred April 17 when the Model S traveling at high speed, didn’t negotiate a turn and eventually stopped after it crashed into a tree. When the fire was extinguished, first responders found the bodies of two men, one in the front passenger’s seat, another in the back seat. Investigators at the accident said with certainty no one was in the driver’s seat at the time of the crash. Tesla has had many Autopilot issues The most recent deadly incident added to numerous other

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Rivian pickup moves into battery warranty lead over Tesla

A few months before its first deliveries, Rivian has taken the electric vehicle battery warranty over Tesla among pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. The warranty for the Rivian R1T electric pickup and R1S electric SUV is eight years or 175,000 miles (whichever comes first). That covers all components of the battery pack and a minimum of 70 percent of battery capacity. Tesla‘s longest warranty is also eight years or 150,000 miles, and also covers up to 70 percent of the original battery capacity. But that warranty is only available on the Model S and Model X, with other models getting less mileage. The Model 3 Standard Range warranty only covers 100,000 miles; the warranty for all other Model 3

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Self-driving cars are among us but drivers beware

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Self-Driving Cars Self-driving cars are the biggest advancing development in the auto industry. Tesla brought the technology to the mainstream market, offering cars that can drive themselves while the driver just sits behind the wheel. The ideas of a self-driving car and its the technology began with several manufacturers offering self-parking technology. Self-driving technology is exciting, but as it advances, a few misconceptions have circulated. Here are several things you absolutely can’t do behind the wheel of a self-driving car (and some permissible conditions): Sleeping Some people think self-driving cars are great as they allow people to take naps” while driving. The idea is that while a driver naps while driving, the car is in charge; it takes

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Tesla fights but agrees to $250 million recall

Tesla, despite resisting a previous request by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is recalling 135,000 vehicles made during a seven-year span because the cars’ touch screens can potentially fail. According to the NHTSA report, vehicles’ touch screens could fail when their memory chip is full. If a failure occurs, the vehicle’s backup cameras, defrosters and turn signals could malfunction. The recall includes some Model S luxury sedans built between 2012 and 2018 and Model X SUVs built between 2016 and 2018. In the previous its previous request, NHTSA said the issue could affect 159,000 vehicles. The carmaker said it agrees to the recall but disagrees with NHTSA’s determination. The electric vehicle manufacturer reported it was not feasible for

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#159, San Jose cannabis dispensary delivers in Teslas

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:40 — 46.2MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | More Chris Lane is the chief marketing officer of Airfield Supply Co., a cannabis dispensary in San Jose, California. Its name is derived from the company’s proximity to the San Jose International Airport. Its motto is “High Is A Place.” The company is thriving in the Silicon Valley, where marijuana delivery is a competitive segment of the business community. Airfield Supply also recently determined it can more efficiently deliver its product. It added six Tesla Model 3s to its delivery fleet. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Lane about the cannabis industry in the Silicon Valley and the Airfield’s decision to utilize

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#158, Electric car subscription: savvy one-stop shopping

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:29 — 23.3MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | More Convenience, flexibility, and value are key attractions to car subscription company services offered by T4L, Inc., and several other regional and national companies. The concept is the latest trend in the automobile industry. It caters to drivers who don’t have the time or desire for the details of buying a vehicle but need transportation. Allen Witters, the CEO of T4L, headquartered in Naples, Fla., is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Witters the new industry and the ideas behind the need for some to consider a car subscription. T4L membership prices

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Tesla Cybertruck: build me big in Texas, color me rainbow

As if the pending Tesla Cybertruck hasn’t received enough attention, leave it to company owner Elon Musk to generate more attention for the futuristic-looking machine. After announcing the electric-vehicle manufacturer’s plans to build a new factory in Austin, Texas, Musk hinted at a few of his new truck‘s color choices. The possible options are as unique as the car. Musk suggested a pure white option or a treatment to offer a rainbow option. If the Cybertruck in rainbow adornment is ever offered, it will likely be an aftermarket option, not a dealership choice. And it wouldn’t the first rainbow-colored Tesla. Several models have received rainbow wraps in Tesla‘s support of various events. Tesla Cybertruck: Color me rainbow The rainbow option

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