PODCAST: TESLA FSD BETA, CHINESE ENGINEERS TO US, MERCEDES EQE PRICE, MORE

EV Channels Review

This episode of the Electrek Podcast delves into several key developments in the EV space. A significant portion is dedicated to Tesla's FSD Beta updates, with the hosts noting a focus on neural net improvements rather than new features, and expressing a desire for clearer in-app release notes. The discussion also covers Tesla's demonstration to the California DMV, highlighting the ongoing tension and Tesla's reluctance to share data, which the hosts feel is crucial for safety and public trust. The potential return of Andrej Karpathy to Tesla to work on Optimus and AGI is also explored. A major point of interest is Tesla sending 200 Chinese engineers to the Fremont factory to optimize production, aiming to replicate the rapid success of Giga Shanghai. The podcast also touches on the impact of Tesla's price cuts in China on local competitors. On the Mercedes-Benz front, the US pricing for the EQE is revealed, with the 350+ starting at $75,000 and the 4Matic variants ranging up to $91,000, positioning it as a potentially strong competitor to the EQS. Finally, the discussion addresses Subaru's decision not to build EVs in the US due to labor costs, a move the hosts find concerning and indicative of the brand's slow transition to electrification. The overall tone is analytical, with a focus on industry trends, company strategies, and the challenges of EV adoption.