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Tesla Model S hailed as fastest-selling 2nd hand electric car in the US

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The Tesla Model S has been dubbed as the fastest-selling all-electric car in the United States’ second-hand car market from January to July this year. The full-sized premium sedan was given the distinction by automotive research firm iSeeCars.com, which aggregates second-hand auto listings across the country.

For its recent study, the auto research firm analyzed more than 4 million 1-3-year-old cars that were sold from January to July 2018. The firm noted in a report that overall, late-model vehicles usually take an average of 46.4 days before they are sold. iSeeCars.com CEO Phong Ly pointed out that cars which take longer to sell on the second-hand market usually signify that supply exceeds demand, while vehicles that are sold quickly usually connote that supply is lower than demand.

“It’s important to know how long vehicles stay on dealer lots because slower-moving cars can present negotiation opportunities for consumers. Cars that remain on market for longer than average indicate that supply is higher than demand, which could mean the pricing is too high or that the car isn’t as well-liked as its competitors,” Ly noted.

Among the United States’ available all-electric vehicles, the Tesla Model S stands as the fastest-selling used car from January to July. The all-electric car, which is designed by the company to be a vehicle that exceeds fossil fuel-powered competitors, spent an average of 32.4 days on used car dealer lots before getting sold. The iSeeCars.com CEO notes that such findings are primarily due to the Model S’ dominance in the premium all-electric car segment.

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“The Model S is currently the only all-electric luxury car available, and its demand outstrips supply leading to scarcity in the used-car marketplace. Those who purchase a new model have to wait at least a month for delivery while there is no wait time for a used version,” Ly noted.

The Tesla Model S ranked as the second-fastest-selling used passenger car in the United States overall as well, directly behind the Toyota Prius C, an affordable hybrid vehicle that’s smaller than the full-sized Toyota Prius. The Prius C takes an average of 29.6 days before it is sold on second-hand dealer lots.

The findings of iSeeCars.com‘s study are in line with the results of another survey conducted by car-shopping platform Autolist.com last year. The results of Autolist.com‘s study concluded that used Tesla Model S sell 5% quicker than other luxury sedans from competing automakers such as the Audi A7, the Porsche Panamera, the BMW 6 Series, the Mercedes-Benz CLS, and even the Lexus LS 460. This was despite the average listing price of second-hand Model S being roughly 3% to 5% higher than comparable vehicles. 

Tesla workers welcome the Model S. [Credit: jurvetson/Flickr]

The number of the company’s electric cars on US roads is bound to increase, particularly since Tesla is now optimizing the production of the Model 3. With this, the second-hand market for the company’s electric cars would likely exhibit some growth. The impending rise in the number of Teslas on the road has been teased by Elon Musk in a letter to employees, where he noted that the company is “about to have the most amazing quarter in (its) history, building and delivering more than twice as many cars as (it) did last quarter.”

Considering that Tesla delivered a total of 40,740 vehicles and produced a total of 53,339 electric cars in Q2 2018, Elon Musk’s statement in his letter appears to be quite ambitious. That being said, Tesla board member Kimbal Musk noted during a recent segment on CNBC’s Closing Bell that this month would be pretty exciting for the company.

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“This month is an exciting month for us. You know, it’s really gonna blow people’s minds how many Model 3s are gonna appear in America in just the next couple of weeks,” he said.

Watch Kimbal Musk’s discuss Elon Musk and the Model 3 in CNBC’s Closing Bell in the video below.

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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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Rolls-Royce makes shocking move on its EV future

When Rolls-Royce unveiled its first all-electric model, the Spectre, in 2022, former CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös declared the brand would cease production of internal combustion engine vehicles by the end of the decade.

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Rolls Royce Wheels
Credit: BMW Group

Rolls-Royce made a shocking move on its EV future after planning to go all-electric by the end of the decade. Now, the company is tempering its expectations for electric vehicles, and its CEO is aiming to lean on its legacy of high-powered combustion engines to lead it into the future.

In a significant reversal, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has scrapped its ambitious plan to become an all-electric manufacturer by 2030. The luxury British marque announced the decision amid sustained customer demand for traditional combustion engines and shifting regulatory landscapes.

When Rolls-Royce unveiled its first all-electric model, the Spectre, in 2022, former CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös declared the brand would cease production of internal combustion engine vehicles by the end of the decade.

The move aligned with the industry’s broader push toward electrification, promising silent, effortless power befitting the “Rolls-Royce of cars.”

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However, new CEO Chris Brownridge, who assumed the role in late 2023, has reversed course. “We can respond to our client demand … we build what is ordered,” Brownridge stated.

The company will continue offering its iconic V12 engines, which remain a cornerstone of its heritage and appeal to discerning buyers who appreciate the distinctive sound and character. He noted the original pledge was “right at the time,” but “the legislation has changed.”

While not abandoning electric vehicles entirely, the Spectre remains in production, with an electric Cullinan option forthcoming; the decision marks the end of a strict all-EV timeline. Relaxed emissions regulations and slowing EV demand, evidenced by a 47 percent drop in Spectre sales to 1,002 units in 2025, forced the reconsideration.

It was a sign that perhaps Rolls-Royce owners were not inclined to believe that the company’s all-EV future was the right move.

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Rolls Royce customers want more EVs, says company CEO

Rolls-Royce joins a growing roster of automakers reevaluating aggressive electrification targets.

Fellow luxury brand Bentley has pushed its full electrification from 2030 to 2035, while continuing to offer hybrids and ICE models. Mercedes-Benz walked back its 2030 all-EV goal, now aiming for about 50% electrified sales while keeping combustion engines into the 2030s. Porsche has abandoned its 80% EV sales target by 2030, delaying models and extending hybrids.

Mainstream giants are following suit. Honda canceled its U.S. EV plans, including the 0-Series and Acura RSX, facing a $15.7 billion hit as it doubles down on hybrids. Ford and General Motors have incurred tens of billions in writedowns, canceling models and pivoting to hybrids amid an industry total exceeding $70 billion in charges.

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This trend reflects a pragmatic shift driven by infrastructure gaps, consumer preferences, and policy changes. In the ultra-luxury segment, where emotional connection reigns, automakers are prioritizing flexibility over rigid deadlines, ensuring brands like Rolls-Royce evolve without alienating their core clientele.

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Elon Musk teases expectations for Tesla’s AI6 self-driving chip

This optimistic timeline for tape-out—the stage where chip design is finalized before manufacturing—signals Tesla’s push to rapidly advance its silicon capabilities.

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Credit: Grok

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is outlining expectations for the AI6 self-driving chip, which is still two generations away. Despite this, it is already in the plans of the company and its serial entrepreneur CEO, who has high expectations for it.

Musk provided fresh details on the company’s aggressive AI hardware roadmap, spotlighting the upcoming AI6 chip designed to supercharge Tesla’s self-driving tech, humanoid robots, and data center operations.

In a post on X dated March 19, Musk stated, “With some luck and acceleration using AI, we might be able to tape out AI6 in December.”

This optimistic timeline for tape-out—the stage where chip design is finalized before manufacturing—signals Tesla’s push to rapidly advance its silicon capabilities.

The announcement builds on progress with the predecessor AI5. Earlier in January, Musk announced that the AI5 design was “in good shape” and “almost done,” describing it as an “existential” project for the company that demanded his personal attention on weekends.

He characterized AI5 as roughly equivalent to Nvidia’s Hopper class performance in a single system-on-chip (SoC) and Blackwell-level as a dual configuration, but at significantly lower cost and power usage.

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Elon Musk is setting high expectations for Tesla AI5 and AI6 chips

Musk highlighted that AI5 “will punch far above its weight” thanks to Tesla’s co-designed AI software and hardware stack, making maximal use of every circuit. While capable of data center training tasks, it is primarily optimized for edge computing in Optimus robots and Robotaxi vehicles.

For AI6, Musk envisions substantial gains. “In the same half reticle and same process node, we think a single AI6 chip has the potential to match a dual SoC AI5,” he explained.

The company is targeting ambitious nine-month development cycles for future chips, allowing rapid iteration to AI7, AI8, and beyond. AI5/AI6 engineering remains Musk’s top time allocation at Tesla, with the CEO calling AI5 “good” and AI6 “great.”

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Samsung is expected to manufacture the AI6 chips, following deals worth billions, while AI5 will leverage TSMC and Samsung production. These chips will form the backbone of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system, enabling safer and more capable autonomy, alongside powering dexterous movements in Optimus bots and efficient inference in expanding data centers.

Tesla to discuss expansion of Samsung AI6 production plans: report

Musk has also restarted work on the Dojo 3 supercomputer project now that AI5 is progressing. Long-term plans include in-house manufacturing via the Terafab facility.

By accelerating chip development with AI tools, Tesla aims to reduce dependence on third-party GPUs and deliver high-performance, energy-efficient solutions tailored to its ecosystem. Success with AI6 could mark a major milestone in Tesla’s journey toward full autonomy and robotics leadership, though timelines remain subject to manufacturing realities.

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SpaceX is quietly becoming the U.S. Military’s only reliable rocket

Space Force drops ULA for SpaceX on GPS launch after Vulcan rocket anomaly investigation halts flights.

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The U.S. Space Force announced today it is switching an upcoming GPS III satellite launch from United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket to a SpaceX Falcon 9, a move that is as much a reflection of Vulcan’s mounting problems as it is a validation of SpaceX’s growing dominance in national security space launch. The GPS III Space Vehicle 09, originally contracted to fly on Vulcan this month, will now target a late April liftoff on Falcon 9, marking the fourth consecutive GPS III satellite the Space Force has moved to SpaceX after contracts were originally awarded to ULA.

The immediate trigger is a solid rocket motor anomaly that occurred on February 12 during Vulcan’s USSF-87 mission. Although the payloads reached orbit and ULA declared the mission successful, the company characterized the malfunction as a “significant performance anomaly” and has since paused all military launches on Vulcan pending a root cause investigation.

“With this change, we are answering the call for rapid delivery of advanced GPS capability while the Vulcan anomaly investigation continues,” said Systems Delta 81 Commander Col. Ryan Hiserote. “We are once again demonstrating our team’s flexibility and are fully committed to leverage all options available for responsive and reliable launch for the Nation.”

The broader reality is that SpaceX’s reliability record and launch cadence have made it the path of least resistance for the Pentagon, and bodes well with Elon Musk’s plans to IPO SpaceX sometime this year. Its Falcon 9 is the most flight-proven rocket in history, and the Space Force’s Rapid Response Trailblazer program was specifically designed to enable exactly this kind of provider swap for GPS missions, and effectively building SpaceX’s flexibility into the national security launch architecture by design.

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SpaceX IPO is coming, CEO Elon Musk confirms

For ULA, the stakes are existential. The company entered 2026 with aspirations of finally turning a corner after years of Vulcan delays, with interim CEO John Elbon pointing to a backlog of over 80 missions as reason for optimism. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s contracts with the Space Force have given it a formal pathway to take on even more national security launches going forward.

The significance of today’s announcement extends beyond one satellite swap. It reinforces that America’s most critical space infrastructure, including GPS, missile warning, and beyond, is increasingly dependent on a single commercial provider.

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