News
Tesla used an Apple tactic to leave them ‘way behind’ in self-driving: ARK Investment
Tesla took a page out of Apple’s book in terms of developing its own self-driving chip, according to ARK Investment Management CEO Cathie Wood. As a result, Apple’s future self-driving car is well behind before anything has really even started.
“Tesla took a leaf out of Apple’s book when it developed its own chip for autonomous vehicles,” Wood said in a webinar on Tuesday. In the past, Apple has entered markets that have been saturated with revolutionary tech until the company took things a step further and developed something groundbreaking. “Apple has entered markets well after someone else has established them and run away with the market,” Wood added, which is remarkable and factual in every way.
TSLA’s biggest bull is beating Wall St just as hard as Tesla is beating legacy automakers
Apple reportedly called upon TSMC, a microprocessor manufacturing entity, to develop a self-driving capable chip for its car. But the question goes past whether it will be effective.
The question isn’t whether Apple will be able to breakthrough with a self-driving car, it’s when. It has plans to develop a fully-autonomous electric vehicle during this decade. Reports indicate that it could be introduced to the market between 2025 and 2027. But it’s a whole new ballgame that Apple is entering, and vehicles are a lot different than phones. While there are some similarities now, like Over-the-Air updates and software sophistication, Apple isn’t dealing with companies that make minor changes to already existing products in this sector. Tesla is the outright leader in EVs and self-driving, and Apple plans to catch up.
However, Apple could have a difficult time because Tesla developed its own wave of infrastructure for self-driving. Instead of going with LiDAR systems that use light, reflections, and sensors, Tesla uses a camera-based option that has been widely successful. Just look at its FSD Beta, which has improved tremendously since its introduction in October.
Tesla FSD Beta completes LA to Silicon Valley drive with zero interventions
Tesla has the experience, data, and the miles to prove that it is going to be the top dog, and it is going to be difficult to knock them off of the pedestal. Tesla had over 3 billion miles driven on Autopilot in May, and Wood says the company is coming up on 20 billion real-world miles. Google only has between 20 and 50 million, she added, according to Seeking Alpha.
It’s not that Apple is not going to be able to solve the challenges with self-driving, because fellow ARK analyst Tasha Keeney believes that the company is making the right moves. Keeney said that Apple’s decision to put its head of Artificial Intelligence on the project was a good move, but the timing is just off.
“This is an AI game, the problem is Apple just did it,” Wood added. “They are way behind.”
ARK has a price target for TSLA of $7,000 per share by 2024.
What do you think? Leave a comment down below. Got a tip? Email us at tips@teslarati.com or reach out to me at joey@teslarati.com.
Elon Musk
Tesla China posts strong February wholesale growth at Gigafactory Shanghai
The update was shared by Tesla observers on social media platform X, citing monthly China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data.
Tesla China sold 58,599 vehicles wholesale in February, reflecting strong year-over-year growth. The figure includes both domestic deliveries in China and vehicles exported to international markets.
The update was shared by Tesla observers on social media platform X, citing monthly China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data.
Tesla’s February wholesale result represents a 91% increase year over year, compared with 30,688 vehicles in February 2025. Month over month, the result was down 15.2% from January, when Tesla China recorded 69,129 wholesale units.
The February total reflects combined sales of the Model 3 and Model Y produced at Gigafactory Shanghai. The facility produces the two vehicles for both domestic sales and exports.
Gigafactory Shanghai continues to serve as Tesla’s primary vehicle export hub, supplying vehicles to markets across Asia and Europe. Data compiled by Tesla watchers shows that 18,485 vehicles were sold domestically in China in January 2026, while exports accounted for 50,644 units during the same period.
Tesla has also been extending financing programs in China as it pushes to strengthen domestic demand. The company recently extended its seven-year ultra-low-interest and five-year interest-free financing programs through March 31, marking the second extension of the promotion this year.
The financing initiative was first introduced on January 6 as a strategy aimed at offsetting higher ownership costs ahead of China’s planned 5% NEV purchase tax in 2026. The promotion was originally scheduled to expire at the end of January before being extended to February and then again through the end of the first quarter.
Tesla’s efforts come amid growing competition in China’s EV market. According to data compiled by CNEV Post, Tesla’s 2025 retail sales in China reached 625,698 vehicles, representing a 4.78% year-over-year decline. Part of that decline was linked to the Model Y changeover to its updated variant in early 2025, which temporarily reduced deliveries during the transition period.
News
Tesla Model Y L spotted on transport trucks in Australia
One of the sightings was reported along Victoria Parade in Melbourne, and it showed multiple Model Y L vehicles on a transport carrier.
Tesla’s upcoming Model Y L has been spotted on transport trucks in Australia. Sightings of the six-seat extended wheelbase Model Y variant have been reported on social media platform X by members of the Australian Tesla community.
One of the sightings was reported along Victoria Parade in Melbourne, and it showed multiple Model Y L vehicles on a transport carrier.
The sighting follows earlier observations by Tesla enthusiasts in Sydney, where a covered vehicle believed to be a Model Y L was spotted at a Supercharger.
The Sydney sighting drew attention after observers noted that the vehicle’s tare weight appeared to match the ADR approval listing for the Model Y L, suggesting it could indeed be the extended wheelbase variant of the electric SUV.
Tesla has previously confirmed that the Model Y L will launch in Australia and New Zealand in 2026. The confirmation was reported by techAU following a media release from Tesla Australia and New Zealand.
The Model Y L expands the existing Model Y lineup with seating for six passengers. The vehicle features a longer body compared with the standard Model Y in order to accommodate a spacious second and third row.
Tesla has opted for a 2-2-2 seating configuration instead of a traditional seven-seat layout for the Model Y L. The design includes two individual seats in the middle row to provide easier access to the third row and additional passenger space.
Tesla Australia and New Zealand has also stated that the Model Y L will be covered under the company’s updated warranty structure beginning in 2026.
Tesla has not yet announced pricing or official range figures for the Model Y L in Australia.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk shares timeframe for X Money early public access rollout
X Money is expected to enable financial transactions within the app, expanding the platform’s capabilities beyond social media features.
Elon Musk has stated that X Money, the digital payments system being developed for social media platform X, is expected to enter early public access next month.
The update was shared by Musk in a post on X. “𝕏 Money early public access will launch next month,” Musk wrote in his post.
As noted in a Reuters report, X Money is being developed as a digital payment service that’s directly integrated into the X platform.
The system is expected to enable financial transactions within the app, expanding the platform’s capabilities beyond social media features.
Musk has previously discussed plans to introduce payments and financial services as part of X’s broader development.
Since acquiring the platform in 2022, Musk has discussed expanding X to include a range of services such as messaging, media, and financial tools.
Elon Musk has shared his goal of transforming X into an “everything app.” During a previous podcast interview with members of the Tesla community, Musk mused about turning X into something similar to China’s WeChat, which allows users to shop, pay, communicate, and perform a variety of other tasks.
“In China, you do everything in WeChat… it’s kickass… Outside of China, there’s nothing like it, people live on one app. My idea would be like how about if we just copy WeChat,” Musk joked at the time.
To prepare for the rollout of X Money, X has partnered with payment company Visa to support the development of payment services for the platform’s users. The move could allow X to tap into the growing demand for digital and in-app financial transactions as the company builds additional services around its existing user base.
Tesla China posts strong February wholesale growth at Gigafactory Shanghai
Tesla Model Y L spotted on transport trucks in Australia
