PODCAST: EV DELIVERIES FROM TESLA TO FISKER, OPTIMUS IN STORES, FSD VALUE, AND MORE

EV Channels Review

This episode of the Electrek Podcast delves into a range of EV news, with a significant focus on Tesla's Q2 delivery performance, which exceeded expectations with 466,000 units delivered, driven primarily by the Model 3 and Model Y. The discussion highlights Tesla's efforts to boost sales through referral program incentives, including cash discounts and increased referral credits, though the long-term value of these credits for owners is questioned. A notable shift is Tesla's change of standard color for Model 3/Y from white to midnight silver. The podcast also touches on the ongoing NACS adoption, with Mercedes-Benz being the latest major automaker to join. A substantial portion is dedicated to the perceived devaluation of the Full Self-Driving (FSD) package in trade-ins, frustrating owners who paid a premium for a promised feature that has yet to be fully delivered. Elon Musk's renewed claims of achieving Level 4/5 autonomy by year-end are met with skepticism, given past missed deadlines. Finally, the episode covers mixed delivery results from other automakers like GM, Rivian, Ford, Polestar, and Fisker, with GM's struggles and Rivian's ramp-up being key points.