

News
Xpeng is set to follow Tesla in this massive self-driving strategy
Xpeng is reportedly set to follow Tesla’s footsteps in terms of its strategy for self-driving, at least with one model that the Chinese company will release later this year.
It now seems that Xpeng is planning to launch the F57, a new all-electric vehicle that will completely ditch LiDAR and utilize only cameras, similar to Tesla’s Pure Vision approach that it adopted several years ago.
CEO Elon Musk has always called LiDAR a “fool’s errand,” and he eventually took it a step further by eliminating ultrasonic sensors from its vehicles two at a time starting in 2022.
Now, Xpeng is reportedly planning to dip its toe in the strategy, as CnEV Post reported.
Xpeng has long relied on LiDAR for its vehicles. First utilizing the technology on the P5 in 2021, it seems the company is starting to believe it can obtain more accurate self-driving programs with the use of other tech.
Additionally, CEO He Xiaopeng visited the United States last month and rode on public streets using Tesla’s Full Self-Driving suite, which uses only cameras for its operation. He noted he was extremely impressed by its performance, especially on highways:
“In the past couple of days, I had the chance to experience FSD version 12.3.6 in California, and I also took a ride in a Waymo vehicle. Overall, Waymo performed better in downtown San Francisco, while FSD excelled in Silicon Valley and on the highways, achieving very high scores and handling various road conditions smoothly…I’m truly impressed by the significant progress FSD has made in just a few months. We plan to learn from FSD’s excellent features and user experience. I believe 2025 will be the Chat GPT moment for fully autonomous driving!”
Xpeng CEO bullish on autonomy in Tesla FSD (Supervised) review
The decision to ditch LiDAR altogether could help bring an unlikely alliance to both Tesla and Xpeng.
Xpeng could consider adopting more Tesla tech for its vehicles and utilizing the company’s expertise for its development of self-driving technology.
I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.
News
Tesla Cybertruck owners get amazing year-long freebie
The freebie is worth roughly $1,200, considering FSD’s $99 per month subscription price.

A number of Cybertruck owners on social media recently shared screenshots of a new promotion that Tesla seems to be offering to customers of its all-electric pickup truck. Based on images shared online, it appears that Tesla is giving free FSD Supervised access to non Foundation Series Cybertruck owners—for a whole year.
That’s worth roughly $1,200, considering FSD’s $99 per month subscription price.
Free FSD Supervised for a Year
As shared by Tesla owner Marc Benton on X, as well as members of the Cybertruck Owners Club, the 1-year free FSD Supervised access seems designed for owners of non-Foundation Series Cybertrucks. Cybertruck Foundation Series units, after all, have FSD bundled in with their price. This is true even for Cybertruck Foundation Series units currently listed on Tesla’s inventory website today.
Interestingly enough, Tesla’s message also indicated that the company will be disabling Autosteer for the Cybertruck, at least outside of FSD. Thus, if drivers wish to use their Cybertruck’s Autosteer capabilities, they have to use FSD.
Tesla’s Message
Following is Tesla’s message to non-Foundation Series Cybertruck owners.
Your 1-Year Free FSD Trial is Here
Your Cybertruck, VIN XXX, is eligible for a free, 1-year Full Self-Driving (Supervised) trial.
As we improve our Autopilot technology, our feature sets will change. Accordingly, Autosteer will not be available for Cybertruck outside of Full Self-Driving (Supervised). We encourage you to experience our latest version of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) to immerse yourself in the power of its innovation.
As a thank you for being an early Cybertruck adopter, we are offering you a free, 1-year trial of Full Self-Driving (Supervised).
In order to qualify for the 1-year trial, you will need to subscribe to Full Self-Driving (Supervised) by June 6, 2025, using the link below. You can cancel your subscription at any time, and you will still receive the 1-year trial.
Possible Rationale
While the 1-year gift seems quite generous, Tesla will benefit from the data that Cybertruck owners will provide. Tesla’s Cybertruck fleet is still relatively small, after all, and the company likely still needs millions upon millions more of real-world miles to refine the vehicle’s FSD system. Hopefully, the 1-year promotion results in more Cybertruck owners using FSD, ultimately allowing the company to roll out more improvements to its self-driving system in the year to come.
News
SpaceX expands Starlink constellation amid surging global demand
SpaceX launched Starlink 6-93, adding 28 satellites to its vast constellation. Starlink’s global role is only expanding.

SpaceX’s Starlink constellation expanded with a Falcon 9 launch on May 6, strengthening its role in global connectivity as demand surges and competition intensifies. The recent Falcon 9 launch is called SpaceX’s Starlink 6-93 mission.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket carried 28 Starlink satellites, adding to a network of over 7,200 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). It lifted off at 9:17 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex-40 in Florida.
Starlink’s critical role in connectivity was evident during a historic blackout across Spain and Portugal, where a power outage exposed weaknesses in traditional telecom networks. Mobile and internet users turned to Starlink in record numbers, driving a 35% usage surge. The Iberian Peninsula’s reliance on Starlink underscored its ability to provide reliable internet access when terrestrial systems falter.
The satellite broadband market is heating up. Amazon’s Project Kuiper has been pitted against SpaceX’s Starlink and telecom giants like AT&T and T-Mobile. Kuiper’s focus on underserved rural areas is similar to Starlink’s mission. However, SpaceX’s constellation is far ahead of the competition. Global interest in satellite communications is rising, driven by strategic and commercial needs.
Geopolitical shifts are also shaping the landscape. For instance, Ukraine is exploring Starlink alternatives with the European Union, while the German military, Bundeswehr, plans to build its own constellation for independent communications. Similar to Amazon’s Kuiper project, Ukraine, the EU, and Germany’s efforts face challenges in matching Starlink’s scale and operational maturity.
SpaceX’s latest launch from one of its two Space Coast facilities reinforces Starlink’s lead in delivering broadband to remote and crisis-affected regions. The Falcon 9’s precise deployment ensures continued growth of the constellation, serving a growing base of consumers, businesses, and governments worldwide.
As global demand for satellite connectivity surges, SpaceX’s Starlink 6-93 mission highlights its pivotal role in bridging connectivity gaps. Starlink’s expansion positions it as a cornerstone of the evolving satellite communications landscape, balancing innovation with geopolitical and market challenges.
News
US’ base Tesla Model Y has an edge vs Shanghai and Berlin’s entry-level Model Ys
The new Model Y Long Range Rear Wheel Drive sounds like a bang-for-the-buck option–literally.

Tesla recently released the new Model Y Long Range Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) variant in the United States. While the vehicle serves as the base variant of the revamped all-electric crossover in the U.S., it has some notable differences compared to the entry-level Model Ys produced in Giga Shanghai and Giga Berlin.
New Model Y Long Range RWD
A look at the new Model Y Long Range Rear Wheel Drive’s specs shows that the base vehicle is equipped with 15 speakers and 1 subwoofer, the same as the Model Y Long Range All Wheel Drive (AWD), which costs $4,000 more before incentives. That’s not bad at all for a vehicle that effectively costs $37,490 with the $7,500 federal tax credit.
In comparison, the entry-level Model Y produced in Gigafactory Shanghai and Giga Berlin is equipped with just nine speakers. This doesn’t mean that the entry-level variants from Giga Shanghai and Berlin are fitted with a subpar sound system, of course. It just means that the sound system in the Model Y Long Range AWD is quite a bit better.
Speaker Differences
Tesla has not provided an explanation why the Model Y LR RWD produced in the Fremont Factory and Giga Texas is fitted with a better sound system than comparable models from China and Germany. It should be noted, however, that the entry-level Model Y from Giga Shanghai and Berlin are not listed as “Long Range” vehicles.
The entry-level Model Y from Giga Berlin, for example is, listed with a WLTP range of just 500 km per charge, which roughly translates to an EPA-estimated 266 miles per charge. The entry-level Model Y from Giga Shanghai, on the other hand, is listed with a CLTC range of 593 km, which roughly translates to an EPA-estimated range of 258 miles per charge. Considering that the base variants from Shanghai and Berlin are not long range vehicles, their fewer speakers make sense.
That being said, Tesla is also offering a Model Y Maximum Range Rear Wheel Drive variant from Gigafactory Berlin. This variant, which is priced at €49,990 ($56,830), features a WLTP range of 533 km, which roughly translates to 331 EPA-estimated miles. Despite its long range designation, however, it is equipped with just nine speakers, similar to its standard range sibling.
-
News4 days ago
Tesla offers legacy Model Y owners an interesting promotion
-
News2 weeks ago
Tesla is trying to make a statement with its Q2 delivery numbers
-
Investor's Corner2 weeks ago
LIVE BLOG: Tesla (TSLA) Q1 2025 Company Update and earnings call
-
News1 week ago
NY Democrats are taking aim at Tesla direct sales licenses in New York
-
Investor's Corner2 weeks ago
Tesla (TSLA) releases first quarter 2025 earnings results
-
News1 week ago
Waymo considers selling robotaxis to individual owners
-
News2 weeks ago
Tesla Optimus units line up in Fremont’s pilot production line
-
Elon Musk2 weeks ago
Tesla says it has launched ride-hailing Robotaxi teaser to employees only