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Stellantis touts its EV lead against Tesla in Europe

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The first half of the year has not been easy for automakers. Even Tesla, the largest carmaker by valuation, struggled in the second quarter due to Covid-19 lockdowns in China. Veteran automaker Stellantis, however, was able to buck these headwinds, posting record results for the first half of 2022 despite challenges like raw material inflation and the ongoing semiconductor crisis. 

CFO Richard Palmer noted that Stellantis’ strong 1H22 performance was due to the strong sales of high-margin cars, including electrified vehicles. The company is also rolling out an ambitious strategy that may double annual revenues by 2030. By this time, Stellantis is looking to turn its range from conventional combustion-powered cars to EVs. 

“We are ahead of Tesla in Europe in electric vehicle sales, and not far from Volkswagen,” Palmer noted on Thursday, according to Automotive News

Stellantis has not published its BEV figures separately, though the company noted that its lineup of electric and electrified vehicles are performing well in Europe. 

“The Fiat New 500 was the number one selling BEV in Germany and Italy, and the Peugeot e-208 was the best-selling BEV in France. Jeep Compass and Renegade were the number one and number two best-selling LEVs in Italy,” Stellantis noted in its 1H22 report.

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CEO Carlos Tavares also highlighted that Stellantis was “delivering an outstanding performance and executing its bold electrification strategy,” adding that “We are shaping Stellantis into a sustainable mobility tech company that is fit for the future.” 

Stellantis may not be a trailblazer in the electric vehicle sphere. Previous comments from the CEO, for example, highlighted that Stellantis’ entries into the EV market would be well worth the wait. Tavares noted that this would definitely be the case with the company’s upcoming all-electric pickup truck. 

“Our Ram 1500 BEV is coming to the hot pickup market in 2024. According to our internal performance index, our Ram 1500 will outperform all competitors on the attributes customers care about: range, towing, payload, and charging time. It’s built on top of our new STLA Frame architecture, designed specifically for full-size electric vehicles. 

“Make no doubt, we will bring the best electric truck to the full-size segment, and Ram will continue delivering fully electrified solutions in the majority of its segment by 2025 and a full portfolio of electrified solutions for all of its segments no later than 2030,” the CEO said, also noting that Stellantis will “catch up in the next couple of years with Tesla.”

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Elon Musk reiterates why Tesla will never make an electric motorcycle

Tesla CEO Elon Musk preemptively shut down speculations about a Tesla road bike once more.

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk preemptively shut down speculations about a Tesla road bike once more, highlighting that the electric vehicle maker has no plans to enter the electric motorcycle market.  

Musk posted his clarification in a post on X.

Musk’s reply to a fun AI video

X user @Moandbhr posted an AI video featuring the Tesla CEO on the social media platform, captioning it with “Mr. Elon Musk Just Revealed the Game-Changing Tesla Motorcycle.” The short clip depicted Musk approaching a sleek, single-wheeled vehicle, stepping onto it, and gliding off into the distance amid cheers. The fun video received a lot of traction on X, gaining 3.1 million views as of writing. 

Musk replied to the post, stating that a Tesla motorcycle is not going to happen. “Never happening, as we can’t make motorcycles safe. For Community Notes, my near death experience was on a road bike. Dirt bikes are safe if you ride carefully, as you can’t be smashed by a truck,” Musk wrote in his reply. 

Musk’s Past Comments on Two-Wheelers

Musk also detailed his reservations about motorcycles in a December 2019 X post while responding to questions about Tesla’s potential ATV. At the time, he responded positively to an electric ATV, though he also opposed the idea of a Tesla road-going motorcycle. Musk did state that electric dirt bikes might be cool, since they do not operate in areas where large vehicles like Class 8 trucks are present. 

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“Electric dirt bikes would be cool too. We won’t do road bikes, as too dangerous. I was hit by a truck & almost died on one when I was 17,” Musk wrote in his post. 

Considering Musk’s comments about dirt bikes, however, perhaps Tesla would eventually offer a road bike as a recreational vehicle. Such a two-wheeler would be a good fit for the Cybertruck, as well as future products like the Robovan, which could be converted into an RV.

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Tesla continues growing its Cybercab production team with new job listings

Both positions are based in Gigafactory Texas, the site of the Cybercab’s initial production.

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Credit: Tesla/X

Tesla continues to build out its workforce for the upcoming Cybercab, with two new job listings for quality inspectors for the autonomous two-seater being listed in the company’s official Careers website. 

Both positions are based in Gigafactory Texas, the site of the Cybercab’s initial production.

New Cybercab listings

Tesla recently added openings for “Quality Inspector, Cybercab” and “Quality Inspector, Cybercab – Incoming Quality” on its Careers website. The roles involve detailed inspections of Cybercab components using precision tools such as calipers, micrometers, and gauges, among others. Candidates must also identify non-conformances, document findings in Tesla’s quality management  system and collaborate with production teams to resolve issues swiftly.

Overall, these new Cybercab-related roles highlight Tesla’s emphasis on precision for the two-seater’s innovative features, such as its inductive charging setup, which is not available on any Tesla consumer vehicle today. If any, the Cybercab’s Quality Inspectors will likely be operating in uncharted territory as the vehicle is being produced using Tesla’s new Unboxed process. Elon Musk has also noted that the Cybercab’s production line will resemble a high-speed consumer electronics line instead of a conventional automotive line.

Recent Cybercab Design Evolutions

Since its October 2024 unveiling, the Cybercab has undergone several refinements visible in recent prototypes, enhancing aerodynamics and manufacturability ahead of production. The tail design now rises slightly for better airflow, with a shortened rear body panel and repositioned red reflectors farther from the wheel arches. 

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Front-end updates include segmented daytime running lights, actual turn signals and a sharper splitter, while side repeater cameras have shifted forward for improved visibility. Tesla has also enlarged door panels for easier ingress and egress, swapped to unpainted tires without extended covers and adjusted the B-pillar forward and lower, likely to foster a more open cabin feel.

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Tesla starts laying the groundwork for FSD tests in Austria

The job opening comes as the company pushes regulatory approvals and data collection in new European markets.

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Credit: Grok Imagine

Tesla seems to be ramping its efforts to hire key personnel for FSD’s eventual expansion in Europe. This was hinted at in a new job listing for a vehicle operator role in Vienna, Austria. 

The job opening comes as the company pushes regulatory approvals and data collection in new European markets.

Vienna’s vehicle operator role

Tesla posted the job for “Fahrer (Vehicle Operator) (m/w/d)” in its Vienna office on its Careers website, seeking candidates to drive and monitor test vehicles as part of the Autopilot and AI team. The role involves collecting real-world driving data to refine Full Self-Driving systems for the country’s local roads. Responsibilities include operating vehicles in urban and highway environments, documenting system performance, among other tasks.

Applicants need a valid Austrian driver’s license and at least two years of driving experience. Fluency in English is essential, along with a familiarity with driver assist systems. Tesla noted that the position offers a minimum annual gross salary of EUR 32,000, though relevant professional experience and qualifications will be taken into account. Similar to other Tesla roles, the position also offers TSLA stock as an incentive.

Tesla’s FSD Push in Europe

Tesla’s FSD efforts in Europe have accelerated in recent months, with significant progress in Spain serving as a key milestone. In July 2025, Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic launched the ES-AV framework to standardize automated vehicle testing, authorizing Tesla for nationwide FSD trials with 19 vehicles under Phase 3, which allows optional onboard safety operators and remote monitoring. 

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The program, running through November 2027, aims to position Spain as a leader in the field, as DGT stated: “The program is designed to complement and enhance oversight, regulation, research, and transparency efforts, as well as to support innovation and advancements in automotive technology and industry.”

Beyond Spain, Tesla has conducted FSD demonstrations in Germany, France and Italy for consumers, while pursuing national approval in the Netherlands for early 2026.

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