

News
Tesla’s Elon Musk talks final Cybertruck design and new feature that boosts agility
It’s a few days later than expected, but Elon Musk appears to have stayed true to his word, posting some pertinent updates about the Tesla Cybertruck’s production version. As per the CEO, the production version of the all-electric pickup would be familiar to those who have followed the vehicle since its unveiling, but it would have a pretty cool new feature that would significantly boost its agility.
While responding to a post by the Tesla Owners Online group on Twitter, Musk mentioned that Fridays are typically Tesla studio design time for him. He also stated that the final version of the Cybertruck would be “almost exactly” the same as what was unveiled back in November 2019. This was not much of a surprise considering that Musk has only mentioned slight possible changes to the vehicle in the past, such as a minor size reduction.
Interestingly enough, Musk actually specified one of the new features that the Cybertruck’s final iteration would have. According to the CEO, the vehicle would have rear-wheel steering capabilities, which should allow the Cybertruck to perform tight turns and maneuver through tricky terrains with high agility. Such a feature would be incredibly useful, especially among those who are fond of taking their pickups on adventures. Musk also mentioned “lots of other great things” that are coming, though whether this statement was for the Cybertruck alone was unclear.
Being a large truck, it is pertinent for the Cybertruck to be as maneuverable as possible. Together with its dynamic air suspension feature, the Cybertruck’s four wheel steering could help the vehicle in events such as Baja, which Elon Musk has hinted at in the past. The Baja 500 and Baja 1000 are extreme, deadly endurance races across a literal desert, so the Cybertruck would have to be extremely nimble and capable just to finish the event in one piece. The Tesla Cybertruck has already received a Baja challenge from Glickenhaus, whose hydrogen-powered Boot has already finished the 1000-mile race.
As Tesla becomes a more mainstream carmaker, the company has started achieving accolades worthy of only the best automakers in the world. Just recently, for example, Tesla’s most powerful production car today, the Model S Plaid, conquered one of America’s deadliest races in the form of the 2021 Pikes Peak Hill Climb. With the help of legendary racer Randy Pobst, who personally helped Tesla develop the Model 3 Performance’s Track Mode, as well as Tesla tuning house Unplugged Performance, the Model S Plaid dominated the 2021 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Exhibition Class.
The Tesla Cybertruck is expected to start initial deliveries later this year, though this is dependent on Gigafactory Texas’ progress. So far, however, it appears that Giga Texas’ construction is going well, which means that at least the first batches of the Cybertruck may actually be delivered to customers’ hands before the end of the year.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for news tips. Just send a message to tips@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
News
Waymo temporarily halts service in select San Francisco and LA areas amid protests
The suspensions came after several Waymo Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis were vandalized and set ablaze during the demonstrations.

Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, has suspended its driverless taxi operations in parts of Los Angeles and San Francisco amid violent protests linked to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the state.
The suspensions came after several Waymo Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis were vandalized and set ablaze during the demonstrations.
Waymo Catches Strays Amid Anti-ICE Protests
Protests erupted in Los Angeles and San Francisco in response to the Trump administration’s immigration raids, which ultimately resulted in California Governor Gavin Newsom calling the White House’s deployment of National Guard troops unconstitutional.
Amidst the protests, images and videos emerged showing several Waymo robotaxis being defaced and destroyed. At least five Waymo robotaxis ended up being caught in the crossfire, and at least one vehicle ended up being burned to the ground.
The incident resulted in the Los Angeles Police Department advising people to avoid downtown areas due to toxic fumes from the robotaxis’ burning lithium-ion batteries. As noted in a KRON4 report, Waymo ultimately halted service in affected areas “out of an abundance of caution.”
Robotaxi Sentiments
The cost of the attacks is notable. Each Waymo robotaxi is valued between $150,000 and $200,000, per a 2024 Wall Street Journal report. Interestingly enough, this is not the first time that Waymo’s robotaxis ended up on the receiving end of angry protesters. On February 24, a Jaguar I-PACE robotaxi was set ablaze and vandalized by a crowd in San Francisco. Videos taken at the time showed a mob of people attacking the vehicle.
Despite the recent attacks on its robotaxis, Waymo has stated it has “no reason to believe” its vehicles were specifically targeted during the protests, as per a report from The Washington Post. A company spokesperson also noted that some of the Waymo robotaxis that were defaced and destroyed during the violent demonstrations had been completing drop-offs near the protest zones.
Investor's Corner
xAI targets $5 billion debt offering to fuel company goals
Elon Musk’s xAI is targeting a $5B debt raise, led by Morgan Stanley, to scale its artificial intelligence efforts.

xAI’s $5 billion debt offering, marketed by Morgan Stanley, underscores Elon Musk’s ambitious plans to expand the artificial intelligence venture. The xAI package comprises bonds and two loans, highlighting the company’s strategic push to fuel its artificial intelligence development.
Last week, Morgan Stanley began pitching a floating-rate term loan B at 97 cents on the dollar with a variable interest rate of 700 basis points over the SOFR benchmark, one source said. A second option offers a fixed-rate loan and bonds at 12%, with terms contingent on investor appetite. This “best efforts” transaction, where the debt size hinges on demand, reflects cautious lending in an uncertain economic climate.
According to Reuters sources, Morgan Stanley will not guarantee the issue volume or commit its own capital in the xAI deal, marking a shift from past commitments. The change in approach stems from lessons learned during Musk’s 2022 X acquisition when Morgan Stanley and six other banks held $13 billion in debt for over two years.
Morgan Stanley and the six other banks backing Musk’s X acquisition could only dispose of that debt earlier this year. They capitalized on X’s improved operating performance over the previous two quarters as traffic on the platform increased engagement around the U.S. presidential elections. This time, Morgan Stanley’s prudent strategy mitigates similar risks.
Beyond debt, xAI is in talks to raise $20 billion in equity, potentially valuing the company between $120 billion and $200 billion, sources said. In April, Musk hinted at a significant valuation adjustment for xAI, stating he was looking to put a “proper value” on xAI during an investor call.
As xAI pursues this $5 billion debt offering, its financial strategy positions it to lead the AI revolution, blending innovation with market opportunity.
News
SpaceX to debut new Dragon capsule in Axiom Space launch
Ax-4’s launch marks the debut of SpaceX’s latest Crew Dragon and pushes Axiom closer to building its own space station.

Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission targets the International Space Station (ISS) with a new SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
The Axiom team will launch a new SpaceX Dragon capsule atop a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT). The Ax-4 mission launch was initially set for Tuesday, June 10, but was delayed by one day due to expected high winds.
As Axiom Space’s fourth crewed mission to the ISS, Ax-4 marks the debut of an updated SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. “This is the first flight for this Dragon capsule, and it’s carrying an international crew—a perfect debut. We’ve upgraded storage, propulsion components, and the seat lash design for improved reliability and reuse,” said William Gerstenmaier, SpaceX’s vice president of build and flight reliability.
Axiom Space is a Houston-based private space infrastructure company. It has been launching private astronauts to the ISS for research and training since 2022, building expertise for its future station. With NASA planning to decommission the ISS by 2030, Axiom has laid the groundwork for the Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station. The company has already begun construction on its ISS replacement.
The Ax-4 mission’s research, spanning biological, life, and material sciences and Earth observation, will support this ambitious goal. Contributions from 31 countries underscore the mission’s global scope. The four-person crew will launch from Launch Complex 39A, embarking on a 14-day mission to conduct approximately 60 scientific studies.
“The AX-4 crew represents the very best of international collaboration, dedication, and human potential. Over the past 10 months, these astronauts have trained with focus and determination, each of them exceeding the required thresholds to ensure mission safety, scientific rigor, and operational excellence,” said Allen Flynt, Axiom Space’s chief of mission services.
The Ax-4 mission highlights Axiom’s commitment to advancing commercial space exploration. By leveraging SpaceX’s Dragon capsule and conducting diverse scientific experiments, Axiom is paving the way for its Axiom Station. This mission not only strengthens international collaborations but also positions Axiom as a leader in the evolving landscape of private space infrastructure.
-
News1 week ago
Tesla to lose 64 Superchargers on New Jersey Turnpike in controversial decision
-
News2 weeks ago
Tesla gets major upgrade that Apple users will absolutely love
-
News2 weeks ago
Tesla teases new color while testing refreshed Model S, X
-
Elon Musk2 weeks ago
Tesla investors demand 40-hour workweek from Elon Musk
-
Elon Musk7 days ago
Elon Musk explains Tesla’s domestic battery strategy
-
News2 weeks ago
Tesla Cybertrucks join Jalisco’s police fleet ahead of FIFA World Cup
-
News2 weeks ago
Tesla rolls out new crucial safety feature aimed at saving children
-
Elon Musk2 weeks ago
Tesla lands on date for Robotaxi launch in Austin: report