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Legacy automakers are on an EV marketing blitz as competition grows

(Credit: General Motors)

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General Motors (GM) has announced that it will partner with Netflix to have its EV offerings displayed in shows on the streaming platform, but they are far from the only automaker looking to show off its upcoming EVs.

GM is no stranger to marketing its EVs in fun and strange ways. Since its Superbowl ad about EVs in Norway stole the show back in 2021, the company has been dedicated to making marketing partnerships and creative ads that it hopes will bring new demand. Now, the auto giant has doubled down, partnering with Netflix to show off its new EVs.

“EVs on Screen” was created to “give EVs the stage they deserve,” says the GM press release. This will include appearances on the “Love is Blind,” “Queer Eye,” and “Unstable” Netflix series that have each garnered significant attention. Vehicles like the Cadillac Lyriq, the Chevy Bolt, and the GMC Hummer EV are all expected to make appearances “where appropriate,” says Netflix.

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While no financial details about the Netflix deal were made public, there is no doubt that GM made a big bet on putting its vehicles in front of the eyes of consumers. Yet, with similar focuses on EV marketing coming from around the industry, the deal certainly isn’t without precedent.

Other automakers are making similar moves in advertising EVs, even vehicles that have yet to hit the road. Mid last year, BMW unveiled its EV commercial series featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, whereby the famed bodybuilder dressed as the Greek god, Zeus, showing off the German brand’s newest electric models.

Nissan, whose ads have often focused on the automaker’s participation in Formula E, has also recently launched its EV ad series, “EVs that Electrify.” While more subdued than the offerings from BMW and the General, it still shows a dedication to guiding consumers to the future of mobility.

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This leads to the question, why such a focus on EV marketing? Particularly when the marketing focuses on vehicles that are not yet available? For GM, the answer was simple; it’s a chance for exposure and to build the public’s understanding of EVs. “Entertainment has a huge impact on culture. We want to make EVs famous on streaming, small and silver screens to build an EV culture through storytelling that incorporates the experiences of driving and owning an EV,” said GM Global Chief Marketing Officer Deborah Wahl.

In complete opposition, Tesla has remained starkly outside of the traditional marketing sphere, instead opting for what supporters call a higher dedication to vehicle engineering or what critics call a higher dedication to Elon Musk’s Twitter account. Though Tesla’s success, particularly in the North American market, does seem to speak for itself.

It’s unclear if this new EV marketing push will garner the attention that legacy brands are searching for, but at the very least, the hunger for electric vehicles does seem to be building. But with an increasing number of competitive electric vehicles entering the market this year, there is no doubt that the effect of these ads will become obvious fairly quickly.

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What do you think of the article? Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Shoot me an email at william@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @WilliamWritin. If you have news tips, email us at tips@teslarati.com!

Will is an auto enthusiast, a gear head, and an EV enthusiast above all. From racing, to industry data, to the most advanced EV tech on earth, he now covers it at Teslarati.

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Tesla China hires Autopilot Test Engineer amid continued FSD rollout preparations

The role is based in Lingang, the district that houses Gigafactory Shanghai.

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Credit: Grok Imagine

Tesla is hiring an Autopilot Test Engineer in Shanghai, a move that signals continued groundwork for the validation of Full Self-Driving (FSD) in China. The role is based in Lingang, the district that houses Gigafactory Shanghai and has become a key testing zone for advanced autonomous features.

As observed by Tesla watchers, local authorities in Shanghai’s Nanhui New City within Lingang have previously authorized a fleet of Teslas to run advanced driving tests on public roads. This marked one of the first instances where foreign automakers were permitted to test autonomous driving systems under real traffic conditions in China. 

Tesla’s hiring efforts come amid ongoing groundwork for a full FSD rollout in China. Earlier reporting noted that Tesla China has been actively preparing the regulatory and infrastructure foundation needed for full FSD deployment, even though the company has not yet announced a firm launch date for the feature in the market.

As per recent comments from Tesla China Vice President Grace Tao, the electric vehicle maker has been busy setting up the necessary facilities to support FSD’s full rollout in the country. In a comment to local media, Tao stated that FSD should demonstrate a level of performance that could surpass human drivers once it is fully rolled out. 

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“We have set up a local training center in China specifically to handle this adaptation,” Tao said. “Once officially released, it will demonstrate a level of performance that is no less than, and may even surpass, that of local drivers.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been quite bullish about a potential FSD rollout in China. During the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, Musk emphasized that FSD had only received “partial approval” in China, though full authorization could potentially arrive around February or March 2026. This timeline was reiterated by the CEO during his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

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Tesla Model Y outsells all EV rivals in Europe in 2025 despite headwinds

The result highlights the Model Y’s continued strength in the region.

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Credit: Tesla

The Tesla Model Y was Europe’s most popular electric car in 2025, leading all EV models by a wide margin despite a year marked by production transition, intensifying competition, and anti-Elon Musk sentiments. 

The result highlights the Model Y’s continued strength in the region even as Volkswagen overtook Tesla as the top-selling EV brand overall.

As per data compiled by JATO Dynamics and reported by Swedish outlet Allt om Elbil, the Tesla Model Y recorded 149,805 registrations across Europe in 2025. That figure placed it comfortably at No. 1 among all electric car models in the region.

The Model Y’s performance in Europe is particularly notable given that registrations declined 28% year-over-year. The dip coincided with Tesla’s Q1 2025 transition to the updated Model Y, a changeover that temporarily affected output and deliveries in several markets. Anti-Elon Musk sentiments also spread across several European countries amidst the CEO’s work with U.S. President Donald Trump.

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Even with these disruptions, the Model Y outsold its nearest rival by more than 50,000 units. Second place went to the newly launched Skoda Elroq with 93,870 registrations, followed by the Tesla Model 3 at 85,393 units. The Model 3 also recorded a 24% year-over-year decline. Renault’s new electric Renault 5 placed fourth with 85,101 registrations.

Other top performers included the Volkswagen ID.4, ID.3, and ID.7, along with the BMW iX1 and Kia EV3, many of which posted triple-digit growth from partial-year launches in 2024.

While the Model Y dominated individual model rankings, Volkswagen overtook Tesla as Europe’s top EV brand in 2025. Volkswagen delivered 274,278 electric cars in the region, a 56% increase compared to 2024. Much of that growth was driven by the Volkswagen ID.7. Tesla, by contrast, sold 236,357 electric vehicles in Europe, representing a 27% year-over-year decline.

JATO Dynamics noted that “Tesla’s small and aging model range faces fierce competition in Europe, both from traditional European automakers and a growing number of Chinese competitors.”

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Despite intensifying competition and brand-level shifts, however. the Model Y’s commanding lead demonstrates that Tesla’s bestselling crossover remains a dominant force in Europe’s fast-evolving EV landscape.

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Starlink gets its latest airline adoptee for stable and reliable internet access

The company said it plans to “rapidly integrate Starlink into its fleet,” and that the first Starlink-equipped aircraft will enter service this Summer.

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Credit: Southwest Airlines

SpaceX’s Starlink, the satellite internet program launched by Elon Musk’s company, has gotten its latest airline adoptee, offering stable and reliable internet to passengers.

Southwest Airlines announced on Wednesday that it would enable Starlink on its aircraft, a new strategy that will expand to more than 300 planes by the end of the year.

The company said it plans to “rapidly integrate Starlink into its fleet,” and that the first Starlink-equipped aircraft will enter service this Summer.

Tony Roach, Executive Vice President, Chief Customer and Brand Officer for the airline, said:

“Free WiFi has been a huge hit with our Rapid Rewards Members, and we know our Customers expect seamless connectivity across all their devices when they travel. Starlink delivers that at-home experience in the air, giving Customers the ability to stream their favorite shows from any platform, watch live sports, download music, play games, work, and connect with loved ones from takeoff to landing.”

Southwest also said that this is just one of the latest upgrades it is making to provide a more well-rounded experience to its aircraft. In addition to Starlink, it is updating cabin designs, offering more legroom, and installing in-seat power to all passengers.

Southwest became one of several airlines to cross over to Starlink, as reviews for the internet provider have raved about reliability and speed. Over the past year, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, airBaltic, Air France, JSX, Emirates, British Airways, and others have all decided to install Starlink on their planes.

This has been a major move away from unpredictable and commonly unreliable WiFi offerings on planes. Starlink has been more reliable and has provided more stable connections for those using their travel time for leisure or business.

Jason Fritch, VP of Starlink Enterprise Sales at SpaceX, said:

“We’re thrilled to deliver a connectivity experience to Southwest Airlines and its Customers that really is similar, if not better, than what you can experience in your own home. Starlink is the future of connected travel, making every journey faster, smoother, and infinitely more enjoyable.”

Starlink recently crossed a massive milestone of over 10 million subscribers.

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