ELECTREK PODCAST: TESLA DELIVERY RECORD, SMART SUMMON VIRAL, NEW TESLA ACQUISITION, MORE

EV Channels Review

This episode of the Electrek Podcast covers a range of Tesla news, starting with a strong Q3 delivery and production report, exceeding 97,000 vehicles. Despite falling slightly short of the 100,000 target, this still marks a record quarter, with production also seeing a significant increase. The discussion highlights potential inventory and distribution bottlenecks as the primary reasons for not hitting the 100k mark, rather than demand issues. The viral Smart Summon feature is also a major topic, with over half a million uses in its initial days. However, the review notes several incidents of misuse and near-crashes, leading to NHTSA scrutiny and raising questions about user responsibility and the feature's limitations in crowded environments. The podcast also delves into Tesla's acquisition of AI startup DeepScale, aimed at bolstering its self-driving capabilities, and updates on Sentry Mode data sharing and a new patent for a bezel-less display. Finally, the hosts touch upon increased production capacity for the Porsche Taycan and teased features of the upcoming Volvo XC40 electric, while also critiquing the traditional dealership model's struggles with EV adoption.