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GMC Hummer EV undergoes rigorous winter testing, SUV gets unveil date

Follow the GMC HUMMER EV on its testing and development journey as a team of engineers visits locations across the U.S. to tune the GMC HUMMER EV in the lead-up to its production debut this fall.

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GMC’s entrance into the electric vehicle market with a Hummer shocked the world. When the legacy automaker announced that it would be shifting the gas-guzzling tank of a vehicle to an all-electric and sustainable powertrain, it counteracted the natural association people have with the words “Hummer” and “gas-hog.” Now, prior to its planned rollout later this year in the fall, GMC is testing the Hummer EV under extremely harsh winter conditions, making sure it is ready to handle the highly-challenging terrains it will likely be confronted with after its first deliveries. Additionally, GMC announced the planned unveiling event for the Hummer EV SUV on April 3rd.

GMC’s Hummer EV was unveiled in October 2020, and the automaker is currently going through the process of developing the vehicle through regular testing. A team of GMC engineers recently took the vehicle to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where snow-covered terrains, low temperatures, and challenging scenarios lie ahead for nearly any vehicle that sits in its path. However, a likely and worthy challenger in the Hummer EV performed well, proving that GMC’s several driving assistance features undoubtedly will come to the rescue when needed.

GM reveals Hummer EV: $80k starting price, 200 kWh battery, up to 350 mile range, ‘Crabwalk,’ and more

Confronted with sub-zero temperatures, unfavorable surfaces that provided relatively no traction, snow, ice, and constantly changing grades, the Hummer EV had its work cut out for it. GMC has worked on developing a powerful and dependable all-wheel-drive torque distribution with a traction control system that is designed to handle these terrains specifically.

The Hummer EV proved itself a worthy opponent for the terrain, handling itself with speed, precision, and accuracy, according to a video released by GMC, all on one of the more challenging environments for a vehicle on Earth.

While the Hummer EV remains on the backburner for GMC until production begins this fall, the vehicle will continue on with its developments until the release is found to be favorable for the company. Parent company GM also announced recently that there would be downtime at three of its current production facilities due to semiconductor shortages globally. However, this will not affect the Hummer EV’s production dates as the vehicle will be built at GMC’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center, which was recently retooled for EV production thanks to a $2.2 billion investment. This facility was not one of the three that GM listed as those affected by the semiconductor shortage.

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Finally, GMC also announced that it would unveil the GMC Hummer EV SUV on April 3rd, during the NCAA Final Four.

Check out GMC’s testing of the Hummer EV below.

https://youtu.be/dP0_QvCiJIk

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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Tesla Robotaxi riders will face the best dilemma when booking a ride

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Credit: Joe Tegtmeyer | X

Tesla has updated its Robotaxi app so riders can pick which vehicle they want before they book. The latest in-app screens now show two options side by side: the two-seat Cybercab and the four-seat Model Y.

A screenshot circulating Thursday shows the change in practice. In Austin, a rider could choose a gold Cybercab for two people or a Model Y for four. Tesla’s updated description calls Cybercab “our first purpose-built autonomous vehicle,” designed for safety, accessibility, and comfort, and says the lineup is available only through the Robotaxi app.

The distinction is more than cosmetic, and it’s important to note that Robotaxi refers to the platform, while Cybercab refers to a vehicle.

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Model Y Robotaxis have carried the service since it opened in Austin in mid-2025 and later expanded to Dallas, Houston, and parts of Florida. Those vehicles are converted production SUVs that still have steering wheels and pedals.

Cybercab is different. It has no driver controls, butterfly doors, a low seat height meant to work with wheelchairs, extra trunk space for assistive devices, and braille on the handles. Tesla has registered dozens of the two-seaters with Texas regulators in the days leading up to its September 3 Austin event.

Giving riders a choice lets Tesla match the vehicle to the trip. Most rides involve one or two people, which is where Cybercab is meant to be cheaper and more efficient to operate. Groups of three or four, or anyone who needs more space, can still request a Model Y.

The same app handles booking, payment, cabin settings, and, on Cybercab, features such as phone-based door opening and in-cabin voice controls.

Tesla Cybercab event gains steam ahead of massive launch

The update does not mean every city suddenly has both cars available. Cybercab support is listed for Austin first, and the purpose-built fleet is still small compared with the existing Model Y roster. Even so, the app change marks a shift from a single-vehicle pilot to a mixed fleet.

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Riders can now choose between the compact, purpose-built robotaxi and the familiar SUV that launched the service.

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Tesla Cybercab sightings broaden well outside of Austin with autonomy in focus

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Credit: Tesla Robotaxi | X

Tesla Cybercab sightings are broadening far and wide, well outside of downtown Austin, Texas, with autonomy in focus as the company plans to launch the all-electric, two-seater this evening in the Lone Star State.

Tesla is set to launch Cybercab to a small group of people this evening in a dedicated event in Austin, Texas. Public details on the event are relatively slim.

However, Tesla’s focus on Cybercab falls well outside of the downtown Austin area and is expanding well across the United States as things continue to move quickly with the company’s autonomous efforts in 2026. Today, various images of Cybercab fleets in interesting locations have started to circulate.

The most notable is a fleet of at least 20 Cybercabs at Miami International Airport in Florida. Spotted last night, the fleet is expansive and is indicative of a looming release of Cybercabs once regulatory boxes are checked off.

Tesla has already been operating the Robotaxi platform in Miami for several months, but this Cybercab fleet at the airport could be joining the ride-hailing platform as approvals arrive:

Another fleet of Cybercabs was spotted at the Devon, PA showroom just outside of Philadelphia. We have seen several Cybercab units testing around the Philadelphia Metro Area, which is interesting considering Tesla does not have any active Robotaxi geofence in Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia would be an ideal location to test ride-hailing due to its dense tourist population, large, sprawling city layout, and to compete with other ride-hailing companies that operate in the city.

Expansive fleets of Cybercabs will be popping up in and around major cities throughout the rest of the year, if we were betting on it. Tesla has made it obvious that the Cybercab rollout will be aggressive and fast-paced, but within reason. Tesla is still prioritizing safety, so these testing phases will likely go on for some period of time before more members of the public are able to snag a Cybercab for a personal chariot.

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Tesla Model Y L gets suspension complaints in over odd issue China

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Credit: @TeslaNewswire/X

The Tesla Model Y L is arguably the most hyped trim of the all-electric crossover, other than the Performance configuration that comes with white-knuckle speed and sports car-level handling.

However, it is not all perfect. Tesla owners in China who took delivery of the Model Y L, denoted with an L to highlight its longer wheelbase, are experiencing what they are referring to as “collapsing” of the rear wheels, as suspension issues appear to be an issue with some of the builds.

The gap between the wheel arch and tire has narrowed to the point that “not even a single finger” could fit, according to a report from Car News China. The failures are not tied to a specific mileage, as one owner said that after just 9,000 kilometers (5,600 miles), they noticed the suspension issue when their car was fully loaded.

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Another one had the issue at 30,000 kilometers (18,640 miles) and noticed that the wheel gap shrank to two fingers, so not as drastic as the person who reported a similar issue at 9,000 km.

Tesla Model Y L is gaining momentum in China’s premium segment

Along with the visual recognition of the issue, others are saying the sagging is causing abnormal wear on the inside of the tires. Extra weight and instant torque already provide additional stress on the tires in electric vehicles during normal operation, so it is no surprise that this is another complaint.

There has been no recall issued by Tesla, and the company has not yet publicly acknowledged the issue.

Some are suggesting that owners use a “finger test” to self-diagnose whether there is an issue with the suspension. There should be four fingers between the tire and the wheel well; anything less than that starts to get dicey.

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