The hottest Automotive Industry Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Tesla’s Robotaxi Bait and Switch

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 264 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Automotive Industry
  1. Tesla has abandoned the plan to let owners turn their cars into robotaxis and has stepped back from that earlier business promise.
  2. Waymo runs large-scale, reliable robotaxi services across multiple cities, logging millions of rides, while Tesla’s fully autonomous operations are tiny and limited to a handful of cars in one city but get outsized hype online.
  3. Despite claims years ago that self-driving was 'solved,' Tesla still faces major technical and deployment challenges and has not delivered the broad robotaxi vision it once promised.

Tesla in November 2023: Story twists & turns, with value consequences!

Musings on Markets • 1238 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
💼 Business Automotive Industry
  1. Tesla has faced ups and downs in its stock price lately, dropping below $200 after some tough weeks. This shows how quickly the market reacts to Tesla's news.
  2. Three big stories are influencing Tesla's future: price cuts to stay competitive, advancements in their self-driving technology, and the highly-anticipated Cybertruck launch.
  3. Valuing Tesla is complex because it has multiple business areas. Right now, the estimated value per share is around $180, but it can change depending on how their stories develop.

Why Tesla Won't Grant Musk More Stock Options

lawrence’s Substack • 279 implied HN points • 09 Apr 24
💼 Business Automotive Industry
  1. Restoring Musk's 2018 compensation package could lead to lawsuits for breach of fiduciary duty and corporate waste
  2. Tesla's current business environment in 2024 is different, with increased competition and decreased public interest in electric vehicles
  3. Musk's tactics to boost Tesla's share price were unsustainable, leading to a declining market cap and questionable promises that were left unfulfilled

M.O.Used: Automakers Try End Run Around Repair Industry on Telematics Access

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
💼 Business Automotive Industry
  1. Automakers attempt to control access to telematics data needed for repairs could lead to increased repair costs for consumers.
  2. The memorandum of understanding between auto manufacturers and repair industry groups lacks an enforcement mechanism, leaving independent repairers with no recourse.
  3. Right to repair advocates criticize the MOU for not including key parties and not ensuring that vehicle owners have direct access to telematics data without going through OEMs.
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Changing Lanes: Li Auto's Drive from Green Plates to Pure Watts

Tech Buzz China Insider • 39 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
💼 Business Automotive Industry
  1. Li Auto has shown impressive sales, profits, and stock performance, surpassing its competitors in the market.
  2. Li Auto specializes in extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), combining electric and gasoline power for efficiency and range.
  3. Amidst challenges like license plate restrictions and charging infrastructure, EREVs offer automakers financial relief and cater to consumer needs.

🔋Is Ford’s Pause on CATL Plant Really About China?

Interconnected • 185 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Automotive Industry
  1. Ford's pause on the CATL plant is not primarily about China, but rather about leverage between Ford and the UAW in a labor strike.
  2. Multiple incentives and support were provided for the CATL-powered plant, despite CATL being a Chinese company.
  3. The uncomfortable reliance on Chinese technology by US EV makers like Ford is a mutual issue, not just a one-sided concern.

EVs: BYD's European push

philsiarri • 44 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
💼 Business Automotive Industry
  1. BYD, China's largest electric carmaker, made a big statement by delivering thousands of cars to Germany.
  2. This move challenges European auto giants to catch up in transitioning from combustion engines to batteries.
  3. BYD has surpassed Tesla in volume of battery electric vehicles and plans to establish a factory in Europe.

Fight to Repair Daily: Wednesday August 31, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 31 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Automotive Industry
  1. Corporations like Amazon and Apple often limit repair options for consumers to maintain control over products, using tactics like market consolidation and locked ecosystems.
  2. Open-source technology in farm equipment offers a repairable, environmentally friendly alternative, beneficial for small farms adapting to climate change.
  3. The Auto Care Association supports initiatives like the Maine Right to Repair Referendum, emphasizing the importance of consumer choice in vehicle maintenance and repair.

Tesla's Trillion Dollar Moment: A Valuation Revisit!

Musings on Markets • 19 implied HN points • 09 Nov 21
💰 Finance Automotive Industry
  1. Tesla is primarily an automobile company, but it's unique because it has expanded its story beyond just cars. Despite the different angles like batteries and tech, cars are still at its core.
  2. Tesla is not like other car companies. It has higher profit margins and less capital investment, helping it grow quickly while spending less, a big change compared to traditional car makers.
  3. External factors like climate policies and the rise of electric cars have helped Tesla thrive. Its strong leadership under Elon Musk also significantly influences how people view the company.

Union Karenina

Malt Liquidity • 6 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
💼 Business Automotive Industry
  1. Coordinated efforts become stronger as the numbers grow, but the value of the individual diminishes.
  2. Union bargaining gains power with a critical mass of numbers, enabling negotiation for better terms.
  3. Tesla's success in the market is partly due to its non-unionized workforce, providing cost advantages compared to unionized competitors.

Elon Musk's Secret Beijing Trip: Is China Winning the Global Electric Car Race?

AI Disruption • 0 implied HN points • 28 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Automotive Industry
  1. Elon Musk sees China as a leader in electric cars and believes all cars will eventually be electric.
  2. Musk's visit to Beijing likely had the dual purpose of exploring new electric vehicles at the auto show and discussing Tesla's self-driving technology with Chinese leaders.
  3. The future of cars will be electric and self-driving, with China excelling in electric car technology while the US and Europe show less enthusiasm for new electric vehicles.

Putting a Price Tag on Scandal: Sturm und Drang at Volkswagen!

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 01 Oct 15
💼 Business Automotive Industry
  1. Volkswagen faces huge financial losses from a scandal where they cheated on emissions tests. This has led to a significant drop in their stock price.
  2. The company is likely to incur billions in legal penalties and costs for recalling cars. They have set aside $7.3 billion to cover these expenses, but fines could reach much higher.
  3. Despite the scandal, there are arguments that the market may have overreacted to Volkswagen's situation. Some see potential value in investing in the company due to its established market presence.