Latest news with #Self-Driving

Business Insider
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Tesla's 'ride-hailing' service is now live in San Francisco, Elon Musk says
Tesla is rolling out its ride-hailing service in San Francisco — but don't call it a robotaxi. "You can now ride-hail a Tesla in the SF Bay Area, in addition to Austin," wrote Tesla CEO Elon Musk in a post on X in the early hours of Thursday. Tesla AI's X account also confirmed that invitations to the "ride-hailing service" were being sent out and posted a map of the service's operating area, which covers the Bay Area, Fremont, and central San Jose. Musk and Tesla did not refer to the service as a robotaxi. Business Insider previously reported that the company would launch its robotaxi service in California this weekend. According to an internal memo viewed by BI's Grace Kay, the invite-only service would launch with safety drivers behind the wheel. A subsequent app update told users that robotaxi rides in California would take place with a safety driver using Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology. A video shared on X by Tesla influencer Teslaconomics of what they said was their first ride on the Bay Area service appears to confirm that Tesla is using safety drivers in California, and that the company is charging for the rides. California has strict regulations covering autonomous taxi services. Rules in Texas, where Tesla has been operating its robotaxis since June, are less stringent. The company is yet to apply for the permits required to test and deploy fully driverless taxis in California, a spokesperson for the California DMV told BI last week. Tesla does hold a transportation charter permit from the California Public Utilities Commission, which the agency said allows the EV giant to transport members of the public in a "non-AV" vehicle with a driver. Musk has set ambitious goals for Tesla's robotaxis, telling investors last week that he expected the service to be available to around half of the US population by the end of the year. Tesla, the California DMW, and the California Public Utilities Commission did not immediately respond to requests for comment, sent outside normal working hours.


Newsweek
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Tesla Sales Could Be Suspended In California
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has filed a lawsuit seeking to suspend Tesla's sales and manufacturing operations in California for at least 30 days. The lawsuit, first filed in 2022 and amended in 2023, accuses Tesla of misleading consumers about the self-driving capabilities of its 'Autopilot' and 'Full Self-Driving' features, both of which are highly-advertized selling points for Tesla vehicles. Newsweek contacted California's DMV and Tesla for comment on this story via email. Why It Matters California represents a critical market for Elon Musk's company, as the largest state by population. Tesla's success here is helped greatly by the San Francisco market, which leans heavily towards electric vehicles and new technology. A 30-day sales ban could significantly disrupt the company's revenue and reputation. The DMV's lawsuit highlights broader scrutiny on how automakers market semi-autonomous features, and its outcome may influence industry standards nationally. What To Know Representatives of Tesla and the DMV will meet this week in California to discuss the 30-day pause on sales. In the court filings, California attorneys have picked out four phrases or product descriptions from Tesla's website which the state believes are misleading to the point of being false advertising. Phrases like 'autopilot', 'full self-driving capability' and the claim that Tesla vehicles are "designed to be able to conduct short and long-distance trips with no action required by the person in the driver's seat" were all pointed out in court filings by California's Department of Justice representatives. The exterior of the Tesla automotive company manufacturing facility on September 18, 2023 in Fremont, California. The exterior of the Tesla automotive company manufacturing facility on September 18, 2023 in Fremont, California. Getty Images Attorney General Rob Bonta, writing on July 17 in a statement on the lawsuit, said: "These labels and descriptions represent specifically that respondent [Tesla]'s vehicles will operate as autonomous vehicles, which they could not and cannot do." Tesla's legal team has said the company "has always made clear" that the cars it makes are not technically fully autonomous, because they require "active driver supervision" from a human. What People Are Saying In statements that the DMV highlighted as legally questionable, Tesla advertising said: "The system is designed to be able to conduct short and long-distance trips with no action required by the person in the driver's seat. "From Home – All you will need to do is get in and tell your car where to go. If you don't say anything, your car will look at your calendar and take you there as the assumed destination. Your Tesla will figure out the optimal route, navigating urban streets, complex intersections and freeways. To your Destination -When you arrive at your destination, simply step out at the entrance and your car will enter park seek mode, automatically search for a spot and park itself. A tap on your phone summons it back to you." What Happens Next The outcome of the DMV's lawsuit could result in a 30-day suspension of Tesla's dealer and manufacturing licenses in California. Such a measure would affect Tesla's short-term sales and could lead to further regulations on how automakers promote advanced driver assistance systems.


India Gazette
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- India Gazette
Tesla begins its journey in India with Model Y launch starting at INR 60 Lakhs
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 15 (ANI): Tesla has officially entered the world's third-largest automobile market, India, with the launch of its electric Midsize SUV, the Tesla Model Y, priced from nearly INR 60 lakhs. Currently, the Model Y will be the only model available in the country. It will be offered in two variants; Rear-Wheel Drive, priced at INR 60 lakhs, and Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, priced at INR 68 lakhs. Customers can also opt for Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) package, which adds an additional cost of INR 6 lakhs over the base prices. The Model Y will be available in six colour options, of which Stealth Grey is the only one offered at no additional charge. The other colours: Pearl White Multi-Coat, Diamond Black, Ultra Red, Quicksilver, and Glacier Blue, will come at an extra cost. Interior options include white and black themes, and the vehicle will feature a five-seat configuration. As of now, deliveries and registration are available only in Mumbai, Delhi, and Gurugram, as listed on Tesla's official portal. Pricing may vary depending on the state and applicable local taxes. Deliveries of the Tesla Model Y are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2025. Earlier today, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated Tesla's first Experience Centre in India, located at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai, marking a significant milestone for the company's entry into the Indian market. The minister said, 'I welcome Tesla here in Mumbai. Tesla has opened an experience centre here, and it is a statement that Tesla has arrived and it's a statement they Tesla has arrived in the right city and right state.' In April this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Elon Musk, discussing potential collaborations in technology and innovation. PM Modi had also met Musk earlier in February during his visit to the United States. With the opening of its first showroom in Mumbai, Tesla aims to test the Indian market and lay the groundwork for its premium electric vehicle offerings in one of the world's fastest-growing automotive sectors. (ANI)


Observer
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Observer
Tesla to sell Model Y cars in India, starting at $69,770
Tech billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla has priced its Model Y at about $69,770 in India, the highest among major markets, its website showed, as the electric carmaker geared up to open its first showroom in Mumbai on Tuesday. With delivery estimated to start from the third quarter, Tesla will drive on to India's busy roads, targeting a niche premium EV segment that accounts for just 4% of overall sales in the world's third-largest car market. It will compete mainly with German luxury giants such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, rather than domestic mass-market EV players such as Tata Motors and Mahindra. Tesla's Model Y rear-wheel drive will set back buyers 6 million rupees ($70,000), while its Model Y long-range rear-wheel drive costs 6.8 million. That compares with a starting price from $44,990 in the United States, 263,500 yuan ($36,700) in China, and 45,970 euros ($53,700) in Germany. Grappling with excess capacity in global factories and declining sales, Tesla has adopted a strategy of selling imported vehicles in India, despite duties and levies running into roughly 70%. On Tuesday, police guarded Tesla's first showroom in India as media crowded outside the office complex where it is located and the chief minister of the western state of Maharashtra, home to the Indian commercial capital, arrived for the launch. Inside the showroom, clad in Tesla's signature minimalist neutral tones, the Model Y was draped under black and grey covers, partially visible through the glass. Access was tightly regulated, with no sign of fans or onlookers nearby. Tesla's website showed the Model Y available for registration in Mumbai at an on-road price of 6.1 million rupees, with a booking deposit of 22,220 rupees. The firm's Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability is on offer at an additional cost of 600,000 rupees, with future updates promised to enable operation with minimal driver intervention. While the current features require active driver supervision and are not fully autonomous, Tesla says the system will evolve through over-the-air software updates. ($1=86.0020 rupees) (1=7.1736 Chinese yuan renminbi) (1=0.8564 euros) ($1=85.8875 rupees)
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First Post
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- First Post
Tesla debuts in India with $70,000 Model Y, showroom opens in Mumbai's BKC
Tesla has officially entered the Indian market, opening its first showroom in Mumbai on Tuesday and launching the Model Y SUV, priced at around $70,000 (₹60 lakh), as it targets the country's growing luxury electric vehicle segment. read more In a major milestone, Tesla launched its first showroom in India on Tuesday at Maker Maxity Mall in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), unveiling the Model Y SUV with a starting price of around ₹60 lakh ($70,000). The launch marks Tesla's long-awaited entry into the Indian market. With global sales slowing, the US electric carmaker is eyeing India's growing EV potential, despite past criticism by CEO Elon Musk over the country's high import duties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The event was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who hailed Tesla's arrival as a 'statement' move. 'This is more than just an inauguration — it's a statement that Tesla has chosen the right city and state,' Fadnavis said. 'Maharashtra is the entrepreneurial capital of India. Mumbai symbolises innovation and sustainability. Tesla isn't just a car, it's about design and innovation — and that's why it's loved worldwide.' #WATCH | Tesla is all set to mark its official entry into the Indian market with the launch of its first showroom in Mumbai today The electric vehicle (EV) giant is opening its India showroom at the Maker Maxity Mall in the city's Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) — ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025 Fadnavis also expressed hope that Tesla would eventually establish a manufacturing plant and an R&D facility in India. 'In the future, we wish to see R&D and manufacturing done in India, and I am sure at the appropriate stage Tesla will think about it,' he added. Deliveries by Q3; Tesla targets luxury EV segment Tesla has started accepting orders for the Model Y on its website, with deliveries expected to begin in the third quarter of this year. Initially, the vehicles will be imported — a move that raises costs due to India's steep import tariffs, which can exceed 100%. The Model Y variants on display in Mumbai were manufactured at Tesla's facility in China, as the US factories don't currently produce right-hand-drive models required for India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tesla showroom, Mumbai. Looking very fly. Can't wait to buy a few cars ASAP. — Ankit Jxa (@kingofknowwhere) July 11, 2025 In India, the Model Y rear-wheel drive is priced at ₹6 million ($70,000), while the long-range version costs ₹6.8 million ($79,000). By comparison, the same model starts at $44,990 in the US, 263,500 yuan ($36,700) in China, and €45,970 ($53,700) in Germany. Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature will be available in India for an additional ₹6 lakh, with promised software updates to gradually reduce the need for driver involvement. Tesla to compete with BMW, Mercedes in India With this launch, Tesla is targeting India's premium electric vehicle segment — a niche that currently accounts for just 4 per cent of overall car sales in the country, the world's third-largest automobile market. The company will compete with luxury brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, rather than local players like Tata Motors and Mahindra. Talks are still ongoing between India and the US over reducing import duties as part of a broader trade agreement. Tesla has consistently lobbied for lower tariffs to improve affordability and market access. Heavy security was deployed at the Mumbai showroom opening, where media and dignitaries gathered to witness the landmark event. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD