TechCrunch Mobility: The State of EV Sales and Rivian Secures the Next $1B from VW
Welcome to Proaitools, your hub for cutting-edge insights into the world of AI. This week, we delve into the latest developments from TechCrunch Mobility, offering a concise yet comprehensive overview of key trends shaping the future of transportation. From the evolving landscape of electric vehicle sales to critical movements in autonomous driving and cybersecurity, the industry continues its dynamic trajectory.
While the original TechCrunch Mobility newsletter briefly paused for the 4th of July holiday, the core developments in the transportation sector forged ahead. Notably, TechCrunch Mobility itself is set to enhance its reader engagement by transitioning to the Beehiiv publishing platform in the coming weeks, promising new interactive features like polls.
A significant rumor circulating involves former Uber co-founder and CEO Travis Kalanick. Reports suggest Kalanick is working with investors to acquire the U.S. operations of Chinese autonomous vehicle company Pony.ai, with potential involvement from Uber. Further insights indicate that Eric Meyhofer, a Kalanick ally and Uber ATG veteran, may also be part of this initiative. Meyhofer, who previously led Uber ATG (later sold to Aurora), has known ties to Kalanick’s CloudKitchens through his involvement with the restaurant automation and robotics business, Lab37.
In the realm of autonomous vehicles, a new term has emerged: MVAT, or “minimum viable autonomy theater.” Coined by the Autonocast podcast, MVAT describes instances where companies deploy minimal viable autonomous products merely to perpetuate a narrative of progress. Tesla’s recent “autonomous delivery” of a Model Y SUV from its factory to a customer, lauded by CEO Elon Musk as the first of its kind, could be seen as an example if it remains a one-off demonstration rather than a scaled solution. This practice, while more common during the 2015 AV hype cycle, highlights the ongoing challenge of distinguishing genuine progress from promotional displays.
The second quarter wrapped up with critical updates on electric vehicle sales and production. The competitive landscape saw surprising shifts, with the electric Hummer reportedly nearly outselling the F-150 Lightning. Meanwhile, Lucid’s sales showed a modest increase as the company pushes to scale production of its upcoming Gravity model. A pivotal development for Rivian saw them secure an additional $1 billion investment from Volkswagen, providing crucial capital amidst ongoing sales challenges. Conversely, Tesla faces the prospect of a second consecutive year of declining sales following another challenging quarter.
The political climate also significantly impacted the EV sector. Recent Republican legislation seeks to unwind key provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, specifically targeting incentives for solar, wind, clean hydrogen, and notably, electric vehicle tax credits for new and used EVs, as well as home charging equipment. The immediate fallout was evident when Slate Auto, a Jeff Bezos-backed EV startup, revised its sub-$20,000 pricing strategy for its planned pickup truck, which was contingent on the federal EV tax credit.
Despite policy shifts, innovation continues. Pebble, the California-based startup known for its all-electric travel trailer, has commenced customer deliveries. Similarly, Detroit-based Grounded, founded by former SpaceX engineers, delivered its new electric van, the G3, to its first customer, signaling continued growth in the electric RV and van market.
Cybersecurity remains a critical concern across the transportation industry. The FBI and various cybersecurity firms have issued warnings that the prolific hacking group “Scattered Spider” is now actively targeting airlines and the broader transportation sector. In a stark example, Australian airline giant Qantas recently disclosed a data breach that compromised the personal information of at least 6 million passengers, underscoring the escalating threats facing networked systems in mobility.
As the mobility sector navigates technological advancements, market fluctuations, and regulatory changes, staying informed is paramount. Proaitools continues to monitor these developments, bringing you the essential news that shapes our connected world.
