There was a time when BYD’s sustainable vehicle efforts were seemingly brushed aside by industry leaders like Tesla CEO Elon Musk. That time has long passed, and BYD’s presence in the hybrid, PHEV, and BEV sector has grown to a point where it has garnered the respect of the global auto industry. This was highlighted recently, when BYD celebrated a new milestone by producing its 7 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV).
As noted by the Chinese automaker in a post on Weibo, its 7 millionth NEV is an N7 SUV from the company’s premium sub-brand Denza. Denza was established as a joint venture between BYD and Daimler way back in 2011, but over the years, the Chinese NEV maker has taken a larger stake in the company. In 2022, BYD’s stake in Denza was at a substantial 90%.

BYD is similar to other mainstream automakers in that it operates several sub-brands. So far, BYD builds vehicles under its main brand, BYD Auto, but it also produces cars through its premium sub-brands, Denza, Fang Cheng Bao, and Yangwang. Interestingly enough, vehicles from the company’s sub-brands have achieved a number of BYD’s NEV milestones.
While BYD’s 1 millionth NEV was a Han EV from its main BYD Auto brand, the company’s 5 millionth NEV, which was produced in August 2023, was a Denza N7. In November 2023, BYD produced its 6 millionth NEV, a Bao 5 off-road SUV, the first vehicle from its Fang Cheng Bao brand, as noted in a CNEV Post report.
BYD overtook Tesla as the world’s largest producer of BEVs in late 2023. Yet in a comment last month, BYD Executive Vice President and CEO of BYD Americas Stella Li noted that the NEV juggernaut currently has no plans to enter the US market. In a comment to Yahoo Finance, Li noted that the US EV market is quite complicated, and it also seems to be seeing a slowdown in electrification.
“It’s an interesting market, but it’s very complicated if you’re talking about EV, and then I think the US market is a little bit slowdown on electrification, and there are a lot of confusing, also very complicated, so we’re saying, ‘No…we don’t have plans to come to the US,” she said.
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Tesla Cybertruck owners get amazing year-long freebie
The freebie is worth roughly $1,200, considering FSD’s $99 per month subscription price.

A number of Cybertruck owners on social media recently shared screenshots of a new promotion that Tesla seems to be offering to customers of its all-electric pickup truck. Based on images shared online, it appears that Tesla is giving free FSD Supervised access to non Foundation Series Cybertruck owners—for a whole year.
That’s worth roughly $1,200, considering FSD’s $99 per month subscription price.
Free FSD Supervised for a Year
As shared by Tesla owner Marc Benton on X, as well as members of the Cybertruck Owners Club, the 1-year free FSD Supervised access seems designed for owners of non-Foundation Series Cybertrucks. Cybertruck Foundation Series units, after all, have FSD bundled in with their price. This is true even for Cybertruck Foundation Series units currently listed on Tesla’s inventory website today.
Interestingly enough, Tesla’s message also indicated that the company will be disabling Autosteer for the Cybertruck, at least outside of FSD. Thus, if drivers wish to use their Cybertruck’s Autosteer capabilities, they have to use FSD.
Tesla’s Message
Following is Tesla’s message to non-Foundation Series Cybertruck owners.
Your 1-Year Free FSD Trial is Here
Your Cybertruck, VIN XXX, is eligible for a free, 1-year Full Self-Driving (Supervised) trial.
As we improve our Autopilot technology, our feature sets will change. Accordingly, Autosteer will not be available for Cybertruck outside of Full Self-Driving (Supervised). We encourage you to experience our latest version of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) to immerse yourself in the power of its innovation.
As a thank you for being an early Cybertruck adopter, we are offering you a free, 1-year trial of Full Self-Driving (Supervised).
In order to qualify for the 1-year trial, you will need to subscribe to Full Self-Driving (Supervised) by June 6, 2025, using the link below. You can cancel your subscription at any time, and you will still receive the 1-year trial.
Possible Rationale
While the 1-year gift seems quite generous, Tesla will benefit from the data that Cybertruck owners will provide. Tesla’s Cybertruck fleet is still relatively small, after all, and the company likely still needs millions upon millions more of real-world miles to refine the vehicle’s FSD system. Hopefully, the 1-year promotion results in more Cybertruck owners using FSD, ultimately allowing the company to roll out more improvements to its self-driving system in the year to come.
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SpaceX expands Starlink constellation amid surging global demand
SpaceX launched Starlink 6-93, adding 28 satellites to its vast constellation. Starlink’s global role is only expanding.

SpaceX’s Starlink constellation expanded with a Falcon 9 launch on May 6, strengthening its role in global connectivity as demand surges and competition intensifies. The recent Falcon 9 launch is called SpaceX’s Starlink 6-93 mission.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket carried 28 Starlink satellites, adding to a network of over 7,200 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). It lifted off at 9:17 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex-40 in Florida.
Starlink’s critical role in connectivity was evident during a historic blackout across Spain and Portugal, where a power outage exposed weaknesses in traditional telecom networks. Mobile and internet users turned to Starlink in record numbers, driving a 35% usage surge. The Iberian Peninsula’s reliance on Starlink underscored its ability to provide reliable internet access when terrestrial systems falter.
The satellite broadband market is heating up. Amazon’s Project Kuiper has been pitted against SpaceX’s Starlink and telecom giants like AT&T and T-Mobile. Kuiper’s focus on underserved rural areas is similar to Starlink’s mission. However, SpaceX’s constellation is far ahead of the competition. Global interest in satellite communications is rising, driven by strategic and commercial needs.
Geopolitical shifts are also shaping the landscape. For instance, Ukraine is exploring Starlink alternatives with the European Union, while the German military, Bundeswehr, plans to build its own constellation for independent communications. Similar to Amazon’s Kuiper project, Ukraine, the EU, and Germany’s efforts face challenges in matching Starlink’s scale and operational maturity.
SpaceX’s latest launch from one of its two Space Coast facilities reinforces Starlink’s lead in delivering broadband to remote and crisis-affected regions. The Falcon 9’s precise deployment ensures continued growth of the constellation, serving a growing base of consumers, businesses, and governments worldwide.
As global demand for satellite connectivity surges, SpaceX’s Starlink 6-93 mission highlights its pivotal role in bridging connectivity gaps. Starlink’s expansion positions it as a cornerstone of the evolving satellite communications landscape, balancing innovation with geopolitical and market challenges.
News
US’ base Tesla Model Y has an edge vs Shanghai and Berlin’s entry-level Model Ys
The new Model Y Long Range Rear Wheel Drive sounds like a bang-for-the-buck option–literally.

Tesla recently released the new Model Y Long Range Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) variant in the United States. While the vehicle serves as the base variant of the revamped all-electric crossover in the U.S., it has some notable differences compared to the entry-level Model Ys produced in Giga Shanghai and Giga Berlin.
New Model Y Long Range RWD
A look at the new Model Y Long Range Rear Wheel Drive’s specs shows that the base vehicle is equipped with 15 speakers and 1 subwoofer, the same as the Model Y Long Range All Wheel Drive (AWD), which costs $4,000 more before incentives. That’s not bad at all for a vehicle that effectively costs $37,490 with the $7,500 federal tax credit.
In comparison, the entry-level Model Y produced in Gigafactory Shanghai and Giga Berlin is equipped with just nine speakers. This doesn’t mean that the entry-level variants from Giga Shanghai and Berlin are fitted with a subpar sound system, of course. It just means that the sound system in the Model Y Long Range AWD is quite a bit better.
Speaker Differences
Tesla has not provided an explanation why the Model Y LR RWD produced in the Fremont Factory and Giga Texas is fitted with a better sound system than comparable models from China and Germany. It should be noted, however, that the entry-level Model Y from Giga Shanghai and Berlin are not listed as “Long Range” vehicles.
The entry-level Model Y from Giga Berlin, for example is, listed with a WLTP range of just 500 km per charge, which roughly translates to an EPA-estimated 266 miles per charge. The entry-level Model Y from Giga Shanghai, on the other hand, is listed with a CLTC range of 593 km, which roughly translates to an EPA-estimated range of 258 miles per charge. Considering that the base variants from Shanghai and Berlin are not long range vehicles, their fewer speakers make sense.
That being said, Tesla is also offering a Model Y Maximum Range Rear Wheel Drive variant from Gigafactory Berlin. This variant, which is priced at €49,990 ($56,830), features a WLTP range of 533 km, which roughly translates to 331 EPA-estimated miles. Despite its long range designation, however, it is equipped with just nine speakers, similar to its standard range sibling.
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