Tech layoffs hit Twilio, LinkedIn, Ford, and Yahoo: We could be facing a secondary wave of cost-cutting in the tech field. The good news is opportunities are open in other industries.
GM eyes cheaper domestic production: The automaker agreed to use GlobalFoundries chips exclusively in its vehicles. The strategy could be replicated by other companies seeking to lower domestic manufacturing costs.
Hertz gets half of massive Tesla EV order: The car rental company has received nearly 50,000 Teslas so far. It now has a growing fleet of EVs for rent and for services like Uber to push global adoption.
Musk’s 100 days at Twitter sink in: Its workforce is greatly reduced, users and advertisers are fleeing in droves, and now third-party developers are gone. What’s next for the beleaguered social network?
Cruise and Waymo on notice in San Francisco: Repeated incidents of idled robotaxis are delaying buses and impeding emergency workers. Complaints could stall countrywide expansion.
Volvo takes the self-driving road less traveled: The automaker’s use of experimental physics could help make AVs road ready. For now, the industry could protect stock values with honesty.
Researchers dispel EV greenwashing: A study shows that EVs aren’t necessarily an environmental savior, with skyrocketing lithium demand on track to cause havoc. Car culture will likely require space mining.
Constrained chip supply continues: The yearslong chip crisis isn’t getting any better, and some markets aren’t expecting relief until 2024. But dwindling consumer demand could lead to oversupply and stagnating innovation.
Cancel culture comes for EVs: The Wyoming state senate’s EV ban proposal targets other states’ gas vehicle bans. It’s a political antic that puts a spotlight on challenges for the EV industry.
Steep discounts for new Teslas: New buyers in the US and Europe can benefit from discounted EVs, but the fallout from existing customers could further erode the company’s reputation.
Airbus demonstrates planes that land themselves: Autonomous flight systems like Airbus’ DragonFly can serve as assistive technology, helping pilots and crews in the short term as wider adoption paves the way to fully autonomous flight.
Carvana is paying the price for its bad bets: The online used car dealer borrowed heavily under the assumption that its pandemic-fueled growth would continue.
Tesla price discounts in China backfire: The EV maker offered discounts on new models to counter rising competition, but existing Tesla owners in China are furious and demanding rebates.
Another Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has come and gone, introducing the world to everything from a self-driving stroller to an accessible PlayStation 5 controller. It would be impossible to give a rundown of everything announced at the Las Vegas event, but here are a few things we think retailers should keep an eye on.
Tesla losing momentum in China: Faced with increasing competition, Teslas are being discounted in its biggest growth market. Shares continue to spiral while CEO Elon Musk hangs out at Twitter.
Sony’s automotive dreams take shape: The Sony Honda Mobility venture unveiled its connected car prototype, Afeela, that illustrates automotive’s high-tech future. This means new revenue streams for tech and marketers.
Tesla keeps inviting bad press: South Korea’s regulator says Tesla exaggerated its EV driving ranges. It’s the latest of many woes that could mean further loss of Tesla’s consumer appeal.
Tesla leads EV charge, but competition is around the corner: Tesla’s expansion is unparalleled, but so are its recalls and safety issues. Meanwhile, the rest of the automotive industry is slowly but steadily catching up.
Twitter’s turbulent takeover: The Twitter-Musk saga is one of the biggest stories for 2022 that will likely continue into 2023. It could strangle other Musk-owned businesses like Tesla, which Musk is using to sell stock to keep Twitter afloat.
A second life for EV battery minerals: Redwood Materials’ expansion will be pivotal for automakers who want to take advantage of federal EV tax credits. Battery reuse startups are competitors.