Tesla

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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Escape the coronavirus at the drive-in in 5 comfortable cars

The movies are classics and there won’t be new releases for a while. But in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, drive-in movie theaters are experiencing another renaissance. Escaping to see a movie in your car is safe entertainment. But certain vehicles make better seats on wheels than others. Cars.com, the Chicago-based automotive classified website, has released new research detailing that 42 percent in-the-market car shoppers plan to visit a drive-in movie theater this summer. “Drive-in theaters are making a comeback this summer as the destination of choice for movies, music and other forms of live entertainment that people can experience without ever leaving the safety of their vehicle,” said Matt Schmitz, Cars.com’s assistant managing editor. Drive-in Movie Theaters: Ideal

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Why not tow your RV with a Tesla Cybertruck?

The design resembled a vehicle is a Sci-Fi movie, and the flashy, carnival-like debut of the electric Tesla Cybertruck was everything Elon Musk desired. If nothing else the flash unveiling last November at the Los Angeles Auto Show was polarizing. The truck drew cheers and jeers. Officially, it’s “an all-electric, battery-powered, light commercial vehicle. Three models have been announced, with range estimates of 250–500 miles and an estimated 0–60 mph time of 2.9–6.5 seconds, depending on the model.” Is it possibly a precursor to more utilitarian vehicle creations or was Tesla owner Elon Musk pranking the industry? For RV enthusiasts, the prevailing question was, is it really a truck and, if so, can it tow an RV or trailer? Tesla

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Commentary: Elon Musk unhinged on 60 Minutes?

During the mid-1980s, comedian Martin Short had a recurring character on Saturday Night Live named Nathan Thurm, an always-defensive defensive attorney. I couldn’t help but think of the character while watching Elon Musk being interviewed Sunday night by Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes. Like the Short’s character, who always appeared jittery while chain-smoking and making nervous facial expressions, Musk often looked uncomfortable during the opening segment of the perennially popular news program. Musk called out the Securities and Exchange Commission, which recently charged the founder of Tesla with fraud when he used Twitter to announce the possibility of taking electric car company private. The case was settled with Musk paying a $20 million fine and leaving his role as chairman

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Elon Musk unplugged set for 60 Minutes interview

There’s no one more innovative, controversial and eccentric in the automotive industry than Elon Musk. The founder of Tesla and SpaceX will be a guest on 60 Minutes on Sunday, December 9. Veteran broadcaster Lesley Stahl will interview the billionaire and discuss his business projects and his recent unusual behavior. “I am somewhat impulsive,” Musk tells Lesley Stahl in a clip the pending program. “I don’t really want to try to adhere to some CEO template.” Stahl asks Musk about his strong opinions, actions and penchant for his flare-ups on Twitter. The interview, according to a preview released by CBS, includes Stahl asking Musk about his impulsiveness. Musk’s unique opinions have included calling a diver involved in the cave rescue

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Byton concept set to challenge Tesla but with China debut

Byton, the much-touted electric concept SUV and sedan with Chinese financing and projected as a challenger to Tesla, is getting closer to its production launch. Company representatives showcased the M-Byte crossover and K-Byte sedan and spoke about the company’s plan at AutoMobility LA, the precursor days of the LA Auto Show, Nov. 30-Dec. 9. The M-Byte will be on display throughout the show. If projections materialize, the vehicle will be available in China at the end of 2019 and six months later will be available in the U.S. market. With an advertised base price of $45,000, the Byton is marketed for drivers and passengers to operate the vehicle with Amazon Alexa voice commands or hand gestures. The command operation is

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VW plans electric car to compete with Tesla Model 3

Volkswagen may be giving up on the Beetle, but its continuing its quest to regain public trust and modernize its offerings with a new all-electric mid-sized sedan for $23,000. The German automaker cheated for years on its diesel emission tests, but its pending electric sedan has the name I.D. Aero. According to a Reuters report, it will cost nearly $12,00 less than the basic price of a Tesla Model 3. Reuters’ sources also reported VW will convert three of its factories in Germany to produce its Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) entry. The carmaker’s goal will to manufacture 200,000 vehicles using the platform to make a family of electric vehicles. Volkswagen said its goal is selling 10 million by the

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Volvo, Tesla get Consumer Reports’ dubious reliability honors

Consumer Reports has long been recognized for its reliability to compile and present objective information. So who’s better than the service-oriented publication to provide lists of the most reliable and least reliable automakers? The publication’s annual reliability survey analyzed data in 17 areas from more than 500,000 vehicles. The areas for potential problems included interior wear-and-tear, transmission repairs and squeaky brakes. The annual list usually has surprises and this year is no exception. Volvo was the least reliable career in this year tabulations. The reason: The Swedish-made, Chinese-owned manufactured dropped six places from last year and had an average reliability score of 22. Volvo owners complained about three models was the S90. Its issues ranged from screen freezes and a

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Rare Tesla offered as children’s fundraiser giveaway

Kimbal Musk, often cited as a global social entrepreneur, is conducting a fundraising campaign through Omaze for fans to the chance to win the philanthropist’s personal and fully customized Tesla Model 3, the sixth model ever made. Musk, the younger brother of Elon Musk and founder of Tesla, is considered the “founding father of the modern food movement.” Proceeds raised from the campaign will benefit Big Green, Kimbal’s initiative to provide healthier futures for kids through learning gardens and food literacy programs. Your donation will help Big Green establish a culture in schools that promotes youth wellness and reduces preventable diet-related health disparities. Funds raised can provide seeds, plants and supplies for a school’s garden; give students access to brand new

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Elon Musk delays production of Tesla Model 3 – again

Production of Tesla Model 3, the affordable electric sports car the manufacturer’s owner, Elon Musk, hoped would bring his vehicles into the mainstream car-buying market, has a weak battery. Tesla has announced it won’t begin full production of the vehicle until the end of June. It will mark nearly a year since the Fremont, California-based company began manufacturing the entry-level Tesla in limited numbers. Musk previously announced an expected production of 5,000 model 3s a week by December 2017. In November, he announced a delay of that goal to March 2018. Now the company said it would produce 2,500 Model 3s by March and the original goal of 5,000 by June. Tesla said it has between 400,000-500,000 refundable deposits of

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Episode 13, Tesla’s Woes, Farewell Danica Patrick

Elon Musk recently announced two new off-the-hook vehicles despite Tesla’s massive debt and abrupt company layoffs. What’s up with that? And Danica Patrick had an emotional announcement that she’s retiring after the 2018 Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500. We give our opinions on the polarizing luminaries. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers,

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