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Tesla Semi’s strong demand could expedite the release of the pickup truck
The all-electric Semi truck could very well be the most disruptive vehicle in Tesla’s lineup. Since its unveiling, the Tesla Semi has garnered reservations from some of the United States’ most prominent businesses like FedEx and PepsiCo. During the Q1 2018 earnings call back in May, Elon Musk and CTO JB Straubel noted that the company had received around 2,000 pre-orders for the vehicle.
Some of the trucking market’s veterans remain skeptical of the Semi. A spokesman for Cummins Inc., one of America’s premier engine-makers, recently stated that they do not see all-electric trucks like the Semi being viable alternatives to diesel-powered long-haulers anytime soon. Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum trade group, also expressed doubt on Elon Musk’s claims that the Semi would be cheaper to run and operate than its diesel-powered counterparts.
Regardless of these doubts, Tesla is pushing on with the development of the electric truck, with Elon Musk stating during the Q2 2018 earnings call that the company has made significant improvements to the Semi since it was unveiled last November. The Semi’s customers also appear to be completely on board with their adoption of the all-electric trucks. Earlier this year, it was even announced that some of the Semi’s biggest customers such as PepsiCo and Anheuser-Busch are working with Tesla to develop and install a network of in-house charging stations for the upcoming vehicle. These stations would be spaced close enough to ensure that the trucks would be able to traverse their routes without any range issues.
- The Tesla Semi spotted in Chicago. [Credit: Rec1pr0city/Twitter]
- The Tesla Semi spotted in Chicago. [Credit: Rec1pr0city/Twitter]
- The Tesla Semi spotted in Chicago. [Credit: Rec1pr0city/Twitter]
The Tesla Semi sighted at Chicago’s Rolling Meadows Supercharger. [Credit: Rec1pr0city/Twitter]
Just recently, the Semi visited yet another customer. This time, the all-electric truck traveled to trucking giant J.B. Hunt’s headquarters in Arkansas, where it was showcased to the company’s employees. Just like the truck’s visit to PepsiCo’s Texas facility earlier this year, employees of the trucking company were able to get up close and personal with the vehicle. Social media posts from individuals in attendance during the Semi’s visit show that J.B. Hunt’s employees, contrary to being skeptical of the vehicle, appear to be excited about the electric truck. Tesla critics would find it difficult to dismiss J.B. Hunt’s authority in the trucking industry as well, considering that the company has been in the transport industry for more than 50 years, and that its current fleet is comprised of over 12,000 trucks and 100,000 trailers and containers.
This strong, positive reaction from America’s premier hauling companies bodes well for the Semi. It remains to be known how many reservations Tesla currently has for the vehicle, but there’s a very good chance the pre-order list is significantly longer than 2,000 units today. That said, the anticipation surrounding the Semi might result in the release of one of Tesla’s most highly-anticipated vehicles to be expedited.
Elon Musk was present on Twitter during the weekend, and while interacting with his followers, Musk noted that the electric car company may be able to release the Tesla pickup truck earlier than expected. Initial expectations point to the Tesla Truck being released sometime after the Model Y is unveiled. Considering that the Model Y is expected to be unveiled sometime in 2019, there is a fair chance that the Tesla Truck’s official unveiling would be scheduled for 2020 at the earliest.
Maybe …
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 25, 2018
Elon Musk did note last year that he is thinking of making the Tesla Truck a smaller version of the Semi. This means that Tesla would likely be carrying over some of the Semi’s elements to the pickup truck. Since the Semi already shares components with the Model 3, such as its powertrain, doors, and air vent design, it seems safe to assume that Tesla is planning on using the Model 3 as a template for the pickup truck as well. This is a strategic move for Tesla, since by the time it starts producing the Semi and the Tesla Truck, everything connected to the Model 3 and its components would likely have been smoothed out by the company.
Thanks to the lessons the company learned from the Model 3, the Semi (as well as the Model Y, which is also expected to be based on the Model 3) might very well see a less troublesome rollout. If Tesla manages to pull this off, it could provide an opportunity for Tesla to bring the pickup truck to market sooner. If that happens, Elon Musk’s tweet about an earlier release for the Tesla Truck could very well prove accurate.
News
Tesla launches Full Self-Driving in a new region
Today, Tesla launched Full Self-Driving in Australia for purchase by car buyers for $10,100, according to Aussie automotive blog Man of Many, which tried out the suite earlier this week.

Tesla has launched its Full Self-Driving suite in a new region, marking a significant step in the company’s progress to expand its driver assistance suite on a global scale.
It is also the first time Tesla has launched FSD in a right-hand-drive market.
Today, Tesla launched Full Self-Driving in Australia for purchase by car buyers for $10,100, according to Aussie automotive blog Man of Many, which tried out the suite earlier this week.
Previously, Basic and Enhanced Autopilot suites were available, but the FSD capability now adds Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control, along with all the features of the previous two Autopilot suites.
🚨 Tesla has officially launched Full Self-Driving in Australia for the price of $10,100 outright.
The move marks a significant step in Tesla’s progress to expand the suite on a global scale pic.twitter.com/zzHa8Ngqls
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) August 28, 2025
It is the first time Tesla has launched the suite by name in a region outside of North America. In China, Tesla has “City Autopilot,” as it was not permitted to use the Full Self-Driving label for regulatory reasons.
However, Tesla still lists Full Self-Driving (Supervised) as available in the U.S., Canada, China, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
The company teased the launch of the suite in Australia earlier this week, and it appeared to have been released to select media members in the region earlier this week:
Tesla FSD upcoming Australia release seemingly teased bv media
The rollout of Full Self-Driving in the Australian market will occur in stages, as Model 3 and Model Y vehicles with Hardware 4 will receive the first batch of FSD rollouts in the region.
TechAU also reported that “the initial deployment of FSDs in Australia will roll out to a select number of people outside the company, these people are being invited into Tesla’s Early Access Program.”
Additionally, the company reportedly said it is “very close” to unlocking FSD in customer cars:
BREAKING: Tesla has officially announced that FSD (Supervised) is launching in Australia, marking a huge milestone for the company.
The rollout will happen in stages. HW4 Model 3s and Model Ys will get it first. Tesla says it is “very close” to being unlocked in customer cars.… pic.twitter.com/r1dYnFRa6o
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) August 28, 2025
Each new Tesla sold will also come with a 30-day free trial of the suite.
Australia is the sixth country to officially have Full Self-Driving available to them, following the United States, Canada, China, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
Here’s the first look at the suite operating in Australia:
News
Tesla AI6 chips will start sample production at surprising Samsung site
AI6 is expected to be used in Tesla’s expanding lineup of high-volume products, such as the Cybercab and Optimus.

It appears that the initial sample production of Tesla’s next-generation AI6 chip would not start in Samsung’s United States-based facilities.
AI6 is expected to be used in Tesla’s expanding lineup of high-volume products, such as the Cybercab and Optimus.
Early AI6 production
As noted in a ZDNet Korea report, the production of initial samples of Tesla’s AI6 chip is expected to start at Samsung Electronics’ domestic foundry and packing facilities in South Korea. Mass production for AI6 chips will follow at the tech giant’s Texas-based foundry in Taylor, which is expected to start operations in 2025. Investment in mass production facilities for the Taylor plant are expected to start this year, the publication noted.
Samsung has reportedly finalized the process design kit for its second-generation 2nm technology. This node offers a 12% performance improvement, 25% lower power consumption, and an 8% reduction in chip area compared to its previous-generation counterparts.
Tesla’s AI6 deal
As per previous reports, Tesla has signed a $16.5 billion contract with Samsung for the production of its AI6 chips. In a post on social media platform X, Musk clarified that $16.5 billion is actually just the bare minimum. Considering that the demand for AI6 chips will be substantial due to the ramp of products such as Optimus and the Cybercab, it would not be farfetched if the deal becomes notably larger in the future.
Musk has shared his excitement for Samsung’s production of AI6 chips, with the CEO stating on X that he would “walk the line personally” in the facility to “accelerate the pace of progress.” In a follow-up comment, the Tesla CEO stated that Samsung is fully aware of what a real partnership with Tesla will be like. “I had a video call with the chairman and senior leadership of Samsung to go over what a real partnership would be like. Use the strengths of both companies to achieve a great outcome,” Musk wrote in his post.
News
Elon Musk’s Boring Company begins Tesla FSD testing in Las Vegas tunnels
The update was shared by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) CEO Steve Hill.

The Boring Company has started testing Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system in its Las Vegas tunnels.
The update was shared by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) CEO Steve Hill in a comment to Fortune.
Controlled FSD testing
In his comments, Hill noted that Tesla’s FSD tests in the Boring Company’s underground tunnels in Las Vegas have been going on for months. However, the full-self driving Teslas have reportedly not been carrying passengers during the tests. Interestingly enough, Hill noted that the FSD-driven vehicles have not had any incidents in the Boring Company tunnels yet, though safety drivers have been required to intervene “periodically.”
Hill further noted that the self-driving Teslas have found some spots that seem quite difficult in the underground tunnels system. The LVCVA CEO added that the rock walls of the Boring Company tunnels and their colorful lighting have created some “interesting but odd lighting” for FSD. That being said, Hill noted that the FSD tests are ongoing, though the LVCVA will likely be a consultant before the self-driving vehicles’ safety drivers are removed.
The executive, however, noted that it will only be a matter of time before the Teslas in Las Vegas’ Boring Company tunnels are operating without a driver. “Sooner or later, this is going to be autonomous,” Hill said.
Vegas Loop updates
The Boring Company’s underground transit system has been operating beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center for about four years. While the network is slated for expansion across more of the city, it currently connects the convention grounds with a handful of nearby hotels. Updates from the Boring Company’s official social media account on X suggests that tunneling is underway across other stops in Las Vegas.
As per the Boring Company on its official website, the greater Vegas Loop, when completed, will have 104 stations across 68 miles of tunnels. This should allow the underground system to serve an estimated 90,000 passengers per hour. It will also be able to connect key locations across the city, such as Harry Reid International Airport, Allegiant Stadium, and downtown.
While the Vegas Loop is nowhere near complete, Hill noted that the system is already well appreciated by residents and visitors. As per the LVCVA CEO, the underground transport system is the “highest rated feature we have” at the Convention Center. “People love it,” he said, adding that the only reason the tunnels are not coming faster is due to holdups with permits. “We’re holding them back. They’re not holding us back,” he stated.
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