News
NIO sets its sights on overtaking Tesla in China
One of the latest electric car companies looking to challenge Tesla’s dominance has made known its intentions of overtaking the Silicon Valley car manufacturer in China’s luxury auto market. In a recent 60 Minutes interview, founder and CEO William Li described plans for NIO, his Chinese EV startup company to capture Tesla’s upper-middle class audience in the country, ultimately moving on to position its products as highly desired status symbols. With potentially 50% of the worldwide electric car market soon to be located in China, NIO’s ambitions are certainly poised in a promising direction, and their native knowledge of their customer market just may help give them the edge they’re seeking.
NIO’s strategy to appeal to the EV customer market is similar to Tesla’s in several ways and has earned it the nickname “Tesla of China.” The Chinese auto maker currently sells two high-performance SUVs, the ES6 and the ES8, both of which have an advanced autonomous driving system (not yet in operation) and an on-board pilot system. These, of course, are all features enjoyed by current Tesla drivers in Tesla’s own flavor, and with one look at NIO’s vehicles’ large center console control screen, it’s clear which auto maker’s customer base NIO is targeting. A phone app is incorporated into the NIO ownership experience, providing basic car services like roadside assistance and maintenance scheduling (as well as several other features). Customers can also purchase NIO vehicles via the app, similar to Tesla’s sales model. While significant commonalities exist between the two car makers, NIO has significant unique offerings as well.
-
- NIO’s ES6 electric SUV interior. | Credit: NIO
-
- NIO’s ES6 electric SUV command panel. | Credit: NIO
-
- NIO’s ES6 electric SUV. | Credit: NIO
-
- The NIO ES6 electric SUV. | Credit: NIO
-
- The NIO ES8 electric SUV. (Credit: NIO)
Owning a Tesla certainly comes with an incorporated sense of community, but NIO seeks to expand on that concept, eventually transforming its brand into a symbol of social standing by connecting customers with one another. The car maker presents itself as a lifestyle company, offering membership in exclusive NIO-owner-only clubs called NIO Houses with regular social activities and perks one might see at, say, a country or yacht club in the US – classes, meeting rooms, etc. The customer app also connects users to an entire social network of other owners – a bit beyond basic Internet forums.
NIO has further padded its ‘lifestyle’ perception with first-of-its-kind battery swapping technology, allowing customers to switch out their drained car batteries for fully charged ones via an automated system that’s faster than refueling at a gas station, saving time. Also, a mobile charging subscription service is an owner option, wherein NIO company vehicles travel to the vehicle’s location to supply it with power on request. Along with customer-oriented charging services and community perks, subscription packages offering free repairs and maintenance (with valet pickup/delivery options), cellular data boosts, car washing, airport parking, and several others all foster a lifestyle for NIO customers that’s only available via vehicle ownership.
For about $60,000 (before tax breaks and subsidies), a customer in China can own one of NIO’s two all-electric SUVs. The company’s flagship SUV, the ES8, is all-wheel drive, uses two 240 kW motors, and has a swappable 70 kWh/84 kWh battery. Impressively, it also has a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 4.4 seconds. The newly released ES6 uses dual 160 kW high efficiency or 240 kW high performance motors with a swappable 70 kWh/84 kWh battery. The 0-100 km/h time is 4.7 seconds.
One of the major factors in NIO’s favor (as well as any electric car maker in the country) is the Chinese government’s major push to bring electric vehicles to the country’s roads. With air pollution a problem literally looming over the heads of major city populations, China’s leadership has maneuvered its tax system to provide major incentives for EV purchases to address the dirty air situation via clean energy. In Shanghai, for example, the $12,000+ license fee required to purchase a car in the city is waived if it’s electric. Additionally, several Chinese cities offer thousands of dollars in rebates for EV purchases.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has experienced this motivated government favoritism first hand with a sped up permit and construction process for Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai. As an established EV maker and leader in the EV revolution, paving the way for Tesla to have a major presence in China is in line with the leadership’s desires for market transformation. As described in the 60 Minutes segment, hundreds of native electric vehicle companies have also popped up as a result of incentive efforts, all hoping to achieve major success with government backing. NIO hopes to cut through the competition with its lifestyle branding.
-
- NIO’s ES6 electric SUV command panel. | Credit: NIO
-
- NIO’s ES8 electric SUV command panel. | Credit: NIO
-
- NIO’s ES6 electric SUV. | Credit: NIO
-
- NIO’s AI personal assistant NOMI. | Credit: NIO
While Tesla may have entertainment features like TeslAtari and Easter eggs, NIO boasts its own unique fun feature: an artificial intelligence personal assistant named NOMI, touted by the company as the world’s first such in-car device. On the dashboard, a little sphere with digital eyes chats with vehicle passengers and interacts to provide music playlists, adjust cabin temperature, and even take selfies. NOMI seems to be inspired by other existing AI robot personal assistants like the personality-filled Vector Robot by Anki.
If you’re a fan of Amazon’s (hit) car show, The Grand Tour, you may have seen NIO’s EP9 supercar racer on display in the “Chinese Food for Thought” episode, driven by the crash-tested Richard Hammond demonstrating the car’s 1,341 brake horsepower. While not road legal, for the price of around $1.5 million dollars, owners of this insanely fast vehicle can enjoy a 0-125 mph acceleration of about 7 seconds and an octopus-like grip around track corners thanks to 5,395 pounds of downforce (2X the amount of Formula 1 cars). When it’s time to recharge the batteries, a full charge takes only 45 minutes; however, that’s where usability complications set in. The battery must be completely removed by a specialty team in order to recharge, something that just might be on hand to begin with since the vehicle is a track-only hobby car.
Last year, NIO achieved its goal of delivering 10,000 vehicles, all made-to-order. CEO Li expects to be able to ramp up production quickly in the coming years thanks to the Chinese manufacturing capabilities, and he eventually hopes to have NIO vehicles on the road in the United States. The company already has a presence in San Jose, California where its global software development center employs over 700 people.
In a final nod to Tesla similarities, NIO’s mission as an EV company is environmentally-involved. The Chinese name for the company is Weilai, meaning “Blue Sky Coming”, and it represents their guiding philosophy based on building a sustainable future with clean energy. Per their website, “When the ownership experience exceeds expectations, electric vehicles will simply become the natural choice for everyone, leading to a more sustainable tomorrow. With that, our vision of a blue sky will come true.”
News
Tesla Cybercab production begins: The end of car ownership as we know it?
While this could unlock unprecedented mobility abundance — cheaper rides, reduced congestion, freed-up urban space, and massive environmental gains — it risks massive job displacement in ride-hailing, taxi services, and related sectors, forcing society to confront whether the benefits of AI-driven autonomy will outweigh the human costs.
The first Tesla Cybercab rolled off of production lines at Gigafactory Texas yesterday, and it is more than just a simple manufacturing milestone for the company — it’s the opening salvo in a profound economic transformation.
Priced at under $30,000 with volume production slated for April, the steering-wheel-free, pedal-less Robotaxi-geared vehicle promises to make personal car ownership optional for many, slashing transportation costs to as little as $0.20 per mile through shared fleets and high utilization.
Credit: wudapig/Reddit< /a>
While this could unlock unprecedented mobility abundance — cheaper rides, reduced congestion, freed-up urban space, and massive environmental gains — it risks massive job displacement in ride-hailing, taxi services, and related sectors, forcing society to confront whether the benefits of AI-driven autonomy will outweigh the human costs.
Let’s examine the positives and negatives of what the Cybercab could mean for passenger transportation and vehicle ownership as we know it.
The Promise – A Radical Shift in Transportation Economics
Tesla has geared every portion of the Cybercab to be cheaper and more efficient. Even its design — a compact, two-seater, optimized for fleets and ride-sharing, the development of inductive charging, around 300 miles of range on a small battery, half the parts of the Model 3, and revolutionary “unboxed” manufacturing — is all geared toward rapid production.
Operating at a fraction of what today’s rideshare prices are, the Cybercab enables on-demand autonomy for a variety of people in a variety of situations.
Tesla ups Robotaxi fare price to another comical figure with service area expansion
It could also be the way people escape expensive and risky car ownership. Buying a vehicle requires expensive monthly commitments, including insurance and a payment if financed. It also immediately depreciates.
However, Cybercab could unlock potential profitability for owning a car by adding it to the Robotaxi network, enabling passive income. Cities could have parking lots repurposed into parks or housing, and emissions would drop as shared electric vehicles would outnumber gas cars (in time).
The first step of Tesla’s massive production efforts for the Cybercab could lead to millions of units annually, turning transportation into a utility like electricity — always available, cheap, and safe.
The Dark Side – Job Losses and Industry Upheaval
With Robotaxi and Cybercab, they present the same negatives as broadening AI — there’s a direct threat to the economy.
Uber, Lyft, and traditional taxis will rely on human drivers. Robotaxi will eliminate that labor cost, potentially displacing millions of jobs globally. In the U.S. alone, ride-hailing accounts for billions of miles of travel each year.
There are also potential ripple effects, as suppliers, mechanics, insurance adjusters, and even public transit could see reduced demand as shared autonomy grows. Past automation waves show job creation lags behind destruction, especially for lower-skilled workers.
Gig workers, like those who are seeking flexible income, face the brunt of this. Displaced drivers may struggle to retrain amid broader AI job shifts, as 2025 estimates bring between 50,000 and 300,000 layoffs tied to artificial intelligence.
It could also bring major changes to the overall competitive landscape. While Waymo and Uber have partnered, Tesla’s scale and lower costs could trigger a price war, squeezing incumbents and accelerating consolidation.
Balancing Act – Who Wins and Who Loses
There are two sides to this story, as there are with every other one.
The winners are consumers, Tesla investors, cities, and the environment. Consumers will see lower costs and safer mobility, while potentially alleviating themselves of awkward small talk in ride-sharing applications, a bigger complaint than one might think.
Elon Musk confirms Tesla Cybercab pricing and consumer release date
Tesla investors will be obvious winners, as the launch of self-driving rideshare programs on the company’s behalf will likely swell the company’s valuation and increase its share price.
Cities will have less traffic and parking needs, giving more room for housing or retail needs. Meanwhile, the environment will benefit from fewer tailpipes and more efficient fleets.
A Call for Thoughtful Transition
The Cybercab’s production debut forces us to weigh innovation against equity.
If Tesla delivers on its timeline and autonomy proves reliable, it could herald an era of abundant, affordable mobility that redefines urban life. But without proactive policies — retraining, safety nets, phased deployment — this revolution risks widening inequality and leaving millions behind.
Elon on the MKBHD bet, stating “Yes” to the question of whether Tesla would sell a Cybercab for $30k or less to a customer before 2027 https://t.co/sfTwSDXLUN
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) February 17, 2026
The real question isn’t whether the Cybercab will disrupt — it’s already starting — it’s whether society is prepared for the economic earthquake it unleashes.
News
Tesla Model 3 wins Edmunds’ Best EV of 2026 award
The publication rated the Model 3 at an 8.1 out of 10, and with its most recent upgrades and changes, Edmunds says, “This is the best Model 3 yet.”
The Tesla Model 3 has won Edmunds‘ Top Rated Electric Car of 2026 award, beating out several other highly-rated and exceptional EV offerings from various manufacturers.
This is the second consecutive year the Model 3 beat out other cars like the Model Y, Audi A6 Sportback E-tron, and the BMW i5.
The car, which is Tesla’s second-best-selling vehicle behind the popular Model Y crossover, has been in the company’s lineup for nearly a decade. It offers essentially everything consumers could want from an EV, including range, a quality interior, performance, and Tesla’s Full Self-Driving suite, which is one of the best in the world.
The Tesla Model 3 has won Edmunds Top EV of 2026:
“The Tesla Model 3 might be the best value electric car you can buy, combining an Edmunds Rating of 8.1 out of 10, a starting price of $43,880, and an Edmunds-tested range of 338 miles. This is the best Model 3 yet. It is… pic.twitter.com/ARFh24nnDX
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) February 18, 2026
The publication rated the Model 3 at an 8.1 out of 10, and with its most recent upgrades and changes, Edmunds says, “This is the best Model 3 yet.”
In its Top Rated EVs piece on its website, it said about the Model 3:
“The Tesla Model 3 might be the best value electric car you can buy, combining an Edmunds Rating of 8.1 out of 10, a starting price of $43,880, and an Edmunds-tested range of 338 miles. This is the best Model 3 yet. It is impressively well-rounded thanks to improved build quality, ride comfort, and a compelling combination of efficiency, performance, and value.”
Additionally, Jonathan Elfalan, Edmunds’ Director of Vehicle Testing, said:
“The Model 3 offers just about the perfect combination of everything — speed, range, comfort, space, tech, accessibility, and convenience. It’s a no-brainer if you want a sensible EV.”
The Model 3 is the perfect balance of performance and practicality. With the numerous advantages that an EV offers, the Model 3 also comes in at an affordable $36,990 for its Rear-Wheel Drive trim level.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s xAI celebrates nearly 3,000 headcount at Memphis site
The update came in a post from the xAI Memphis account on social media platform X.
xAI has announced that it now employs nearly 3,000 people in Memphis, marking more than two years of local presence in the city amid the company’s supercomputing efforts.
The update came in a post from the xAI Memphis account on social media platform X.
In a post on X, xAI’s Memphis branch stated it has been part of the community for over two years and now employs “almost 3,000 locally to help power Grok.” The post was accompanied by a photo of the xAI Memphis team posing for a rather fun selfie.
“xAI is proud to be a member of the Memphis community for over two years. We now employ almost 3,000 locally to help power @Grok. From electricians to engineers, cooks to construction — we’re grateful for everyone on our team!” the xAI Memphis’ official X account wrote.
xAI’s Memphis facilities are home to Grok’s foundational supercomputing infrastructure, including Colossus, a large-scale AI training cluster designed to support the company’s advanced models. The site, located in South Memphis, was announced in 2024 as the home of one of the world’s largest AI compute facilities.
The first phase of Colossus was built out in record time, reaching its initial 100,000 GPU operational status in just 122 days. Industry experts such as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang noted that this was significantly faster than the typical 2-to-4-year timeline for similar projects.
xAI chose Memphis for its supercomputing operations because of the city’s central location, skilled workforce, and existing industrial infrastructure, as per the company’s statements about its commitment to the region. The initiative aims to create hundreds of permanent jobs, partner with local businesses, and contribute to economic and educational efforts across the area.
Colossus is intended to support a full training pipeline for Grok and future models, with xAI planning to scale the site to millions of GPUs.
Tesla Cybercab production begins: The end of car ownership as we know it?
Tesla Model 3 wins Edmunds’ Best EV of 2026 award
