Tag Archives: Reuters

News

Report: Tesla Model 2 scrapped in favour of robotaxis

Tesla has scrapped plans for a brand new ‘Model 2’ entry-level electrical automobile, Reuters experiences.

The long-promised new mannequin line, which boss Elon Musk lately prompt may enter manufacturing late subsequent 12 months, was tipped to return to market at lower than £25,000 as a rival to the likes of the Volkswagen ID 2, Renault 5 and MG 4 EV.

Citing three sources accustomed to the matter and inner firm messages, Reuters says the project has been scrapped and the platform that was to underpin the EV will now be used for a line of autonomous robotaxis, produced at a lot decrease volumes.

Tesla refused to remark when approached by Autocar and Musk responded to the report with a submit on his social media platform, X, that learn merely: “Reuters is dying”.

Tesla has lengthy hinted at plans for a cut-price new automobile to sit down beneath the Model 3 saloon and Model Y crossover however has solely given restricted indications of its positioning over the previous few years.

Most lately, the agency launched a shadowy teaser picture of its silhouette, suggesting it will successfully be a downsized tackle the Model 3.

The American agency spoke of formidable plans to promote an astonishing 700 million examples of the automobile, codenamed Project Redwood, over its lifetime.

Tesla’s transfer away from the cheaper finish of the EV market comes at a time when inexpensive Chinese cars, such because the BYD Dolphin, are arriving within the UK. 

Crucial to the Model 2’s viability was a brand new manufacturing course of known as Unboxed, which primarily revolves round lowering the quantity of labor achieved at every stage of the manufacturing line, avoiding any pointless motion or disassembly of the automobile or its parts throughout its journey down the manufacturing line.

For instance, the seats can be mounted on to the underfloor battery pack, with all the unit then raised right into a bodyshell that has been painted in sections to keep away from the necessity for door removing and reinstallation.

Initial manufacturing for the Model 2 was tipped for Germany. The automobile’s platform was considered unrelated to different Teslas.

Reuters suggests this manufacturing course of and the platform to which it applies will as an alternative be deployed for Tesla’s long-mooted autonomous ride-hailing car – which will not be produced in the identical colossal volumes.

It quotes a supply as saying “Elon’s directive is to go all in on Robotaxi”.

Motorsport

Tesla Has Reportedly Canceled Its $25,000 Car

It seems just like the $40,380 Model 3 would be the most cost-effective Tesla you should purchase for the foreseeable future. Reuters experiences that plans to construct a so-called Model 2 within the $25,000 vary have been canceled. The report would not point out a selected cause for the choice, however aggressive entry-level competitors from China is believed to be a contributing issue.

This would not look like a very latest determination, both. Reuters cites a number of sources and messages that time to inner talks occurring in late February and early March. One alleged message dated March 1 suggested engineering workers to not inform suppliers about this system being canceled, whereas different sources say firm efforts will shift from the entry-level automotive to the event of robotaxis. We contacted Tesla looking for touch upon the report and can replace this publish if we get a response.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to X (previously Twitter) to refute the report, saying that “Reuters is lying (again).”

Tesla Model 3 Highland

Rumors of a small Tesla slotting below the Model 3 are several years old. Envisioned as a small hatchback, it will compete with the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf however EV developments have actually modified since these early rumors surfaced. Demand for electrical vehicles has softened, notably within the US and even Tesla is affected by the drop. The firm’s first-quarter efficiency for 2024 wasn’t as good as expected, after which there’s China. The world’s largest automotive market is hungry for EVs and competitors is fierce. Reuters speculates that the inflow of cheap EVs from Chinese manufacturers might be a think about Tesla’s determination.

Whatever the case, growth on the small automotive apparently will not be wasted. Robotaxi manufacturing will reportedly use the brand new platform, although it is unknown after they might arrive and what these manufacturing figures might be. Presumably, Tesla will not construct practically as many as initially deliberate for a Model 2. And there’s nonetheless the authorized subject of the place and the way driverless autos can be utilized.

As it stands now, the Model 3 is the least costly Tesla you should purchase. It debuted in 2017 and acquired a small refresh for 2023. The latest mannequin is after all the Cybertruck, nevertheless it’s removed from an entry-level automobile and certain will not see large-scale manufacturing for fairly a while, if ever.

Motorsport

Hertz Is Reducing Its EV Fleet And Selling Tesla Model 3s For Cheap

It appears the entire EV factor is not actually working for Hertz. Reuters studies the rental automotive firm is downsizing its electrical fleet, and by that, we imply chopping 20,000 vehicles from the lineup. And whereas Tesla is not the one model with EVs in use by means of Hertz, it does cowl a majority of electrical choices.

That means some offers may very well be had when you’re eager on getting a Model 3 in your storage and are not afraid of shopping for a used rental. A fast test at Hertz’s gross sales web site reveals 672 Teslas presently on the market out of 712 EVs accessible, and costs begin at simply over $20,000. The most cost-effective we discovered is a 2021 Model 3 Standard Range Plus RWD, listed with 92,789 miles on the odometer with a $20,125 price ticket. There are solely three images with the itemizing, nevertheless it does not look unhealthy on the skin. And technically talking, the battery remains to be lined underneath Tesla’s 100,000-mile manufacturing unit guarantee.


Motorsport

Scout Motors Electric Pickup And SUV Will Be Developed With Magna Steyr

Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh confirms Magna Steyr as engineering accomplice, and Reuters experiences Volkswagen is reducing 20 % of its administrative workers prices.

This is AM Drive, Motor1’s day by day take a look at the information you want earlier than you get in your automobile.

Scout Motors Working With Magna Steyr To Develop New Body-On-Frame Platform

At the tip of November, Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung wrote about Magna Steyr’s potential involvement within the growth of a brand new platform for Scout Motors. The newly based EV model has now confirmed the Graz-based firm helps with the engineering of an structure that may underpin an SUV and a pickup truck. Scout Motors CEO instructed Automotive News the 2 corporations are engaged on a “100 percent capable, American, robust, full platform.”

Scott Keogh refuted rumors about modifying the MEB structure for off-road duties, saying the 2 fashions will make the most of a “completely unique platform – ground up being engineered and developed.” The {hardware} won’t be unique to Scout Motors because the CEO did not exclude the potential for a VW-badged mannequin utilizing the identical underpinnings.

The design of the SUV is almost completed, with Keogh telling Automotive News it is “85, 90, 95 percent of the way there.” He went on to say the outside design and the proportions of the mannequin have been locked in. The massive SUV is being developed primarily with the United States in thoughts and would be the first to go on sale. The fullsize truck, additionally US-focused, will observe 6-7 months later, in accordance with the CEO.

Production is earmarked for late 2026 at a new $2-billion assembly plant in Blythewood, South Carolina. Magna Steyr is not going to be concerned within the meeting of the 2 EVs. We will not have to attend till then to see the SUV as a result of the official premiere will occur within the third quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, check mules will hit the road within the following months.

Volkswagen To Reduce Staff Administrative Costs By 20 Percent

New Volkswagen Logo

Reuters received maintain of a VW inside memo notifying workers of an upcoming cost-cutting determination. As a part of a wider array of measures meant to cut back expenditures by €10 billion ($10.7B) by 2026, the German automaker desires to cut back administrative workers prices by a fifth. VW model CEO Thomas Schaefer is quoted saying:

“What is crystal clear is that we will need to operate with fewer people in many areas at Volkswagen in the future. This doesn’t mean more work for fewer people, but rather shedding old habits and saying no to duplicating efforts and inefficiencies.”

In the identical memo, VW knowledgeable its workers it will not construct a brand new analysis and growth facility in Wolfsburg anymore, due to this fact saving €800 million ($862M). Other targets embrace shortening manufacturing occasions and reducing a product’s life cycle from 50 months to solely 36. As beforehand reported, Schaefer has admitted that VW is “no longer competitive” and that partial and early retirements are deliberate to additional drive down prices.