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Volkswagen ID.2 to rival Tesla’s expected $25,000 vehicle

(Credit: Volkswagen)

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Volkswagen is preparing to enter the same segment as Tesla’s upcoming affordable car with the ID.2 electric vehicle. 

Sales of the all-electric Volkswagen ID.2 are expected to start in 2025. The VW ID.2 will use the German automaker’s upgraded MEB-Plus platform, an enhanced version of VW’s modular electric drive matrix featured in the ID.Family lineup. Volkswagen’s ID.2 will also be equipped with lithium iron phosphate prismatic battery cells for improved charging capabilities. The ID.2 design might be capable of charging speeds up to 200 kW. 

The Volkswagen ID.2 might be the electric equivalent of the German automaker’s popular compact five-seater, the VW Golf. 

The ID.2 is expected to be sold for a starting price of €22,500 ($23,938.69)—as of today’s exchange rate, potentially making it a formidable challenger against affordable EVs, including Tesla’s widely-speculated compact car, in Europe.

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The Volkswagen Golf

The Golf hatchback was the best-selling vehicle in Europe for decades until recently. JATO—a company that analyzes the European car market and global trends—shared data that revealed the VW Golf’s declining sales trend. JATO’s recent data showed that car sales across all European Union member states dropped. In the UK, Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland, car sales fell by 4.1% to 11,309,310, the lowest since 1985. 

Revamping the Golf name and attaching it to an all-electric compact vehicle might be good for sales and popularity. Pricing the ID.2 a little shy of $24,000 is an even better move. At about $24,000, the Volkswagen ID.2 might compete in the same price range as Tesla’s upcoming affordable vehicle. 

Tesla’s Affordable Car

Speculations about Tesla’s affordable vehicle have been swirling around the rumor mill for quite some time. The company is expected to price the car at about $25,000, making it a really affordable electric vehicle by today’s standards. 

Tesla seems better positioned to start working on an affordable concept than a few years ago. For one, Semi production and deliveries have already started, and Cybertruck pre-production is expected to start later this year. Tesla still needs to work on the new Roadster design, but with the Semi and Cybertruck’s production underway, it will have more time to work on the next-generation vehicle. 

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At the Q4 2022 earnings call earlier this year, Elon Musk hinted at some future products Tesla is currently working on. 

Giga Nevada’s upcoming expansion and additional 4680 battery assembly line also hint at Tesla’s plans for future car models. Musk and Tesla CFO Zachary Kirkhorn stated that only some 4680 cells manufactured in Giga Nevada would go to Semi vehicles. Musk hinted that some would be made for Tesla’s future products.  

Loup Ventures believes that Tesla will unveil a “Model 2” vehicle in 2024, bringing its sales schedule around the same time as the Volkswagen ID.2. The Wall Street firm believes that unveiling the affordable car too early might slow down Model 3 sales. Tesla is due to release a Model 3 revamp this year, codenamed “Project Highland.”

The Teslarati team would appreciate hearing from you. If you have any tips, contact me at maria@teslarati.com or via Twitter @Writer_01001101.

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Maria--aka "M"-- is an experienced writer and book editor. She's written about several topics including health, tech, and politics. As a book editor, she's worked with authors who write Sci-Fi, Romance, and Dark Fantasy. M loves hearing from TESLARATI readers. If you have any tips or article ideas, contact her at maria@teslarati.com or via X, @Writer_01001101.

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Tesla hiring for Commercial Charging role hints at Semi push in Europe

The job opening was highlighted by David Forer, Senior Project Developer for Charging at Tesla, on LinkedIn.

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Credit: @HinrichsZane/X

Tesla appears to be expanding its Commercial Charging efforts in Central Europe. The job opening was highlighted by David Forer, Senior Project Developer for Charging at Tesla, on LinkedIn.

In a post on LinkedIn, Forer stated that Tesla is looking for a “high-energy executer to own Commercial Charging Sales in Central Europe.” He added that the role will involve closing commercial deals across Tesla’s “entire product range (Supercharging & Megacharging).”

The job listing specifies that the hire will lead the sale of Tesla’s high-power charging products, including Supercharger and Heavy Duty Charging, to major partners such as charge point operators, real estate owners, and retail companies. The role requires fluency in German and English and is based onsite in Munich.

Tesla already operates more than 75,000 Superchargers globally, though the Semi’s Megacharger network is still in its early stages. The inclusion of Heavy Duty Charging in the job description is notable, then, as it aligns with Tesla’s Megacharger infrastructure, which is designed to support the Tesla Semi.

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently confirmed that the Tesla Semi is moving into high-volume production this 2026. In a post on X, Musk noted that “Tesla Semi starts high volume production this year.”

Aerial footage of the Tesla Semi Factory near Giga Nevada also shows that the facility looks nearly complete, with work now underway inside the facility. 

Tesla has also refreshed the Semi lineup on its official website, listing two variants: Standard and Long Range. The Standard trim offers up to 325 miles of range with an energy consumption rating of 1.7 kWh per mile, while the Long Range version provides up to 500 miles. 

Both variants support fast charging and can recover up to 60% of range in 30 minutes using compatible infrastructure such as the Megacharger Network.

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The presence of Heavy Duty Charging in a Central Europe-focused sales role could indicate that Tesla is preparing charging infrastructure ahead of wider Semi deployment in the region. While Tesla has not formally announced a European launch timeline for the Semi, the vehicle, particularly its range, makes it an ideal fit for the area.

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Tesla Full Self-Driving set to get an awesome new feature, Elon Musk says

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Credit: Teslarati

Tesla Full Self-Driving is set to get an awesome new feature in the near future, CEO Elon Musk confirmed on X.

Full Self-Driving is the company’s semi-autonomous driving program, which is among the best available to the general public. It still relies on the driver to ultimately remain in control and pay attention, but it truly does make traveling less stressful and easier.

However, Tesla still continuously refines the software through Over-the-Air updates, which are meant to resolve shortcomings in the performance of the FSD suite. Generally, Tesla does a great job of this, but some updates are definitely regressions, at least with some of the features.

Tesla Cybertruck owner credits FSD for saving life after freeway medical emergency

Tesla and Musk are always trying to improve the suite’s performance by fixing features that are presently available, but they also try to add new things that would be beneficial to owners. One of those things, which is coming soon, is giving the driver the ability to prompt FSD with voice demands.

For example, asking the car to park close to the front door of your destination, or further away in an empty portion of the parking lot, would be an extremely beneficial feature. Adjusting navigation is possible through Grok integration, but it is not always effective.

Musk confirmed that voice prompts for FSD would be possible:

Tesla Full Self-Driving is a really great thing, but it definitely has its shortcomings. Navigation is among the biggest complaints that owners have, and it is easily my biggest frustration with using it. Some of the routes it chooses to take are truly mind-boggling.

Another thing it has had issues with is being situated in the correct lane at confusing intersections or even managing to properly navigate through local traffic signs. For example, in Pennsylvania, there are a lot of stop signs with “Except Right Turn” signs directly under.

This gives those turning right at a stop sign the opportunity to travel through it. FSD has had issues with this on several occasions.

Parking preferences would be highly beneficial and something that could be resolved with this voice prompt program. Grocery stores are full of carts not taken back by customers, and many people choose to park far away. Advising FSD of this preference would be a great advantage to owners.

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Cybertruck

Elon Musk clarifies Tesla Cybertruck ’10 day’ comment, fans respond

Some are arguing that the decision to confirm a price hike in ten days is sort of counterproductive, especially considering it is based on demand. Giving consumers a timeline of just ten days to make a big purchase like a pickup truck for $60,000, and basically stating the price will go up, will only push people to make a reservation.

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has clarified what he meant by his comment on X yesterday that seemed to indicate that Tesla would either do away with the new All-Wheel-Drive configuration of the Cybertruck or adjust the price.

The response was cryptic as nobody truly knew what Musk’s plans were for the newest Tesla Cybertruck trim level. We now have that answer, and fans of the company are responding in a polarizing fashion.

On Thursday night, Tesla launched the Cybertruck All-Wheel-Drive, priced competitively at $59,990. It was a vast improvement from the Rear-Wheel-Drive configuration Tesla launched last year at a similar price point, which was eventually cancelled just a few months later due to low demand.

Tesla launches new Cybertruck trim with more features than ever for a low price

However, Musk said early on Friday, “just for 10 days,” the truck would either be available or priced at $59,990. We can now confirm Tesla will adjust the price based on more recent comments from the CEO.

Musk said the price will fluctuate, but it “depends on how much demand we see at this price level.”

Some are defending the decision, stating that it is simply logical to see how the Cybertruck sells at this price and adjust accordingly.

Others, not so much.

Some are arguing that the decision to confirm a price hike in ten days is sort of counterproductive, especially considering it is based on demand. Giving consumers a timeline of just ten days to make a big purchase like a pickup truck for $60,000, and basically stating the price will go up, will only push people to make a reservation.

Demand will look strong because people want to lock in this price. The price will inevitably go up, and demand for the trim will likely fall a bit because of the increased cost.

Many are arguing Musk should have kept this detail internal, but transparency is a good policy to have. It is a polarizing move to confirm a price increase in just a week-and-a-half, but the community is obviously split on how to feel.

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