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Ford Mustang Mach-E sales find their momentum

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Ford Mustang Mach-E sales increased by 15.8% in July compared to June sales. Ford announced that the Mustang Mach-E comes in second in the EV SUV market.

Ford’s electrified vehicles sales went up to 57.5%, with 9,103 total sales. The OEM reported 2,854 Mustang Mach-E sales and 4,498 F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid.

“In less than one year, Mustang Mach-E has captured the #2 share position in the U.S. among all EV SUVs; named “Electric Vehicle of the Year” by Car and Driver,” Ford stated in its second quarter 2021 earnings call.

(Credit: Ford)

The increase in Mustang Mach-E sales reveals that Ford has found its momentum in the EV market. In June, Ford’s production data revealed that the automaker was manufacturing more units of the all-electric Mach-E compared to its gas-powered sibling.

The OEM went the extra mile for Mach-E customers, even releasing a fragrance for GT owners called the Mach-Eau. The company may find similar success with the F-150 Lightning.

Ford reported that the F-150 Lightning reservations exceeded 120,000. The company shared that 80% of the F-150 Lightning’s customers came from other brands, and 77% of customers were new to Ford. The legacy automaker also stated that most of the Lightning’s orders are from California.

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Ford is expected to make a joint statement with General Motors and Stellantis this week, coinciding with President Joe Biden’s announcement about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. The Detroit automakers plan to announce their goal to increase their electric vehicles sales by 2030.

Ford July 2021 Sales Release by Maria Merano on Scribd

The Teslarati team would appreciate hearing from you. If you have any tips, reach out to me at maria@teslarati.com or via Twitter @Writer_01001101.

Maria--aka "M"-- is an experienced writer and book editor. She's written about several topics including health, tech, and politics. As a book editor, she's worked with authors who write Sci-Fi, Romance, and Dark Fantasy. M loves hearing from TESLARATI readers. If you have any tips or article ideas, contact her at maria@teslarati.com or via X, @Writer_01001101.

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Elon Musk jokes he will join Mr Beast’s “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla” challenge

It’s a good sign, if any, that the overworked Musk is becoming a bit more lighthearted again.

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Credit: Elon Musk/X

Following the first quarter Tesla earnings call, CEO Elon Musk seems to have become a bit more relaxed—relaxed enough to joke about fighting a gorilla with 99 other people, at least.

It’s a good sign, if any, that the overworked Musk is becoming a bit more lighthearted again and not too busy picking fights with politicians on social media.

The Viral 100 Men vs 1 Gorilla Challenge

Over the weekend, a post on social media platform X went viral. The post itself was quite simple, with user @DreamChasnMike stating that he thinks 100 men could beat one gorilla. “Everybody just gotta be dedicated to the sh*t,” the X user joked. The post exploded on the platform, garnering 284 million impressions as of writing.

The silly question also triggered a massive debate about whether 100 men would really stand a chance against a literal gorilla. Some users even lamented that the premise was a sign of male hubris. Nevertheless, the question proved to be a fun topic on X, with some more dedicated users even posting simulated videos of what the “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla Challenge” could look like. 

Mr. Beast and Elon Musk Join In

The premise is quite similar to other viral videos from noted YouTube creator Mr. Beast, so it was no surprise that edited images of Mr. Beast YouTube thumbnails with “100 Men vs a Gorilla” also started spreading on the social media platform. Mr. Beast, who tends to be game to such silly ideas, actually reposted the edited image, joking “Need 100 men to test this, any volunteers?”

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In true Elon Musk fashion, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO noted that he would join the challenge. “Sure, what’s the worst that could happen” Musk wrote in his post on X. Musk’s reply triggered quite a few laughs on X, with some stating that the world probably still needs the CEO.

While silly, Musk’s comment and his recent, more frequent posts about his companies’ products like Starlink and Grok have been received well by his supporters. Over the past months, after all, Musk has been very political and quite confrontational on social media. With Musk soon taking a step back from the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) daily operations, however, it seems like X will soon get a more tempered and lighthearted Elon Musk once more.

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Big Tesla win? Sec Lutnick says cars with 85% domestic content will face zero tariffs

That’s a big competitive advantage for Tesla’s best-selling vehicle.

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Credit: Tesla Europe & Middle East/X

It appears that Tesla may see itself with a notable advantage in the United States.

This is, at least, as per recent comments from United States Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Lutnick’s Comments

In recent comments to reporters, Lutnick stated that vehicles finished in the United States with 85% domestic content will have no tariff applied, as noted in a report from The Guardian. Automakers that meet this threshold stand to gain an advantage in the U.S. auto sector, especially considering the Trump administration’s aggressive tariffs.

As per Lutnick, the administration’s auto tariffs will apply to foreign carmakers that are building their vehicles in the United States. “This is ‘finish your cars in America and you win’,” Lutnick stated.

Big Tesla Advantage

Lutnick’s comments were received positively by Tesla watchers on social media, many of whom noted that the threshold would probably be met only by the electric vehicle maker’s cars. Teslas that are sold in the United States are built in the United States, and they have consistently ranked among the most American cars in the country for several years running.

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Back in December, for example, American University’s Kogod School of Business released its Made in America Auto Index, which explores the total domestic content of vehicles that are available for purchase today. In its rankings, only three vehicles received a total domestic content score of 85% or higher—the Tesla Model Y, Model Y Long Range, and the Model 3 Performance.

The two Model Y variants received a total domestic content score of 85%, while the Model 3 Performance had a total domestic content of 87.5%. If Secretary Lutnick’s comments are any indication, these three vehicles would be subjected to zero tariffs. This bodes well for Tesla, as the Model Y is the company’s best-selling vehicle by a notable margin.

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Tesla reveals Semi fleet data, shows off new feature and infrastructure plans

The Tesla Semi is one of the company’s most-anticipated releases, and it could be getting even better as things move toward mass production.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla revealed some new Semi fleet data, as well as a new feature the truck will have, and expanded on plans for infrastructure at the ACT Expo today in Los Angeles.

The Tesla Semi is one of the company’s most anticipated releases, and although it has already made its way into several company fleets, other companies are waiting for the automaker to fulfill their orders.

Tesla recently reaffirmed its mass production date of late 2025, hoping to build 50,000 Semi units annually at a new factory in Reno, Nevada.

At the ACT Expo, Tesla revealed some new details about the truck, including current fleet data, a new feature that will be a big selling point for many companies interested in the vehicle, and future infrastructure plans.

Fleet Data

Tesla has already accumulated over 7.9 million miles across its test fleet, the company said at the event. This includes 26 vehicles with over 100,000 miles on them, an impressive feat considering they are only taking regional runs, as of now.

The most notable companies with the vehicle are PepsiCo. and Frito Lay, both of which have spoken highly of the Semi’s ability to handle longer days. Drivers have reported that the Semi has helped them complete 1,000-mile travel days.

The first phase of production units will be integrated into Tesla’s logistics operations for real-world testing, which is something that has already been done.

Customer deliveries are expected to begin next year, something that was reiterated during the company’s most recent earnings call.

Tesla Semi’s New Feature

The semi will equip a 25-kilowatt electric Power Take-Off system that will help companies power auxiliary features like refrigeration, hydraulic systems, compressors, and more.

This is a massive feature, especially for companies that will be transporting perishable goods using the Semi. This will become especially important as it starts making cross-country runs and more companies begin taking delivery of the vehicle as production ramps up.

Expansion to Public and Private Charging Infrastructure

The Semi utilizes the Megacharger for its charging needs, and many sites have been installed already. Frito-Lay is expanding its Megacharger infrastructure by building eight new piles at its Bakersfield, California, factory.

We reported on that earlier this month:

Tesla Semi fleet from Frito-Lay gets more charging at Bakersfield factory

However, Tesla has many more megawatt-level sites that are under construction for public Semi charging: 46, to be exact.

It also said it has more fleet sites that are underway, one of them being the Bakersfield factory’s infrastructure.

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