We’re going to bring this heroic young man, and his family, into the White House with, perhaps, the boy he saved, to give him a High Civilian Honor. Very brave, he deserves it! President DONALD J. TRUMP
The 2025 @Rivian R1S (built after August 2024) is this year’s only Large SUV to be named a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS — their highest possible rating. I am really proud of our team’s incredible focus on safety!!
I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health. The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country. Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!
While there are many articles that do not accurately convey the nature of our safety systems, the recent Washington Post article is particularly egregious in its misstatements and lack of relevant context.
We at Tesla believe that we have a moral obligation to continue improving our already best-in-class safety systems (https://t.co/EMIEfc5kHo). At the same time, we also believe it is morally indefensible not to make these systems available to a wider set of consumers, given the incontrovertible data that shows it is saving lives and preventing injury.
Regulators around the globe have a duty to protect consumers, and the Tesla team looks forward to continuing our work with them towards our common goal of eliminating as many deaths and injuries as possible on our roadways.
Below are some important facts, context and background.
Background
1. Safety metrics are emphatically stronger when Autopilot is engaged than when not engaged.
a.
In the 4th quarter of 2022, we recorded one crash for every 4.85 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology. For drivers who were not using Autopilot technology, we recorded one crash for every 1.40 million miles driven. By comparison, the most recent data available from NHTSA and FHWA (from 2021) shows that in the United States there was an automobile crash approximately every 652,000 miles. (https://t.co/RZjjBmylTk)
b.
The data is clear: The more automation technology offered to support the driver, the safer the driver and other road users. Anecdotes from the WaPo article come from plaintiff attorneys—cases involving significant driver misuse—and are not a substitute for rigorous analysis and billions of miles of data.
c.
Recent Data continues this trend and is even more compelling. Autopilot is ~10X safer than US average and ~5X safer than a Tesla with no AP tech enabled. More detailed information will be publicly available in the near future.
2. Autopilot features, including Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer, are SAE Level 2 driver-assist systems, meaning –
a.
Whether the driver chooses to engage Autosteer or not, the driver is in control of the vehicle at all times. The driver is notified of this responsibility, consents, agrees to monitor the driving assistance, and can disengage anytime.
b.
Despite the driver being responsible for control for the vehicle, Tesla has a number of additional safety measures designed to monitor that drivers engage in active driver supervision, including torque-based and camera-based monitoring. We have continued to make progress in improving these monitoring systems to reduce misuse.
c.
Based on the above, among other factors, the data strongly indicates our customers are far safer by having the choice to decide when it is appropriate to engage Autopilot features. When used properly, it provides safety benefits on all road classes.
The Washington Post leverages instances of driver misuse of the Autopilot driver assist feature to suggest the system is the problem. The article got it wrong, misreporting what's actually alleged in the pending lawsuit and omitting several important facts:
1. Contrary to the Post article, the Complaint doesn't reference complacency or Operational Design Domain.
2. Instead, the Complaint acknowledges the harms of driver inattention, misuse, and negligence.
3. Mr. Angulo and the parents of Ms. Benavides who tragically died in the crash, first sued the Tesla driver—and settled with him—before ever pursuing a claim against Tesla.
4. The Benavides lawsuit alleges the Tesla driver “carelessly and/or recklessly” “drove through the intersection…ignoring the controlling stop sign and traffic signal.”
5. The Tesla driver didn’t blame Tesla, didn’t sue Tesla, didn’t try to get Tesla to pay on his behalf. He took responsibility.
6. The Post had the driver's statements to police and reports that he said he was “driving on cruise.” They omit that he also admitted to police “I expect to be the driver and be responsible for this.”
7. The driver later testified in the litigation he knew Autopilot didn’t make the car self-driving and he was the driver, contrary to the Post and Angulo claims that he was mislead, over-reliant or complacent. He readily and repeatedly admitted:
a.
“I was highly aware that was still my responsibility to operate the vehicle safely.”
b.
He agreed it was his “responsibility as the driver of the vehicle, even with Autopilot activated, to drive safely and be in control of the vehicle at all times.”
c.
“I would say specifically I was aware that the car was my responsibility. I didn’t read all these statements and passages, but I’m aware the car was my responsibility.”
8. The Post also failed to disclose that Autopilot restricted the vehicle's speed to 45 mph (the speed limit) based on the road type, but the driver was pressing the accelerator to maintain 60 mph when he ran the stop sign and caused the crash. The car displayed an alert to the driver that, because he was overriding Autopilot with the accelerator, "Cruise control will not brake."
More information and background can be found here → https://t.co/VoTuFFkP9D
#Mercedes plans to build 2000 charging stations by the end of 2024. They plan to have the charger offer 400kW depending on the region. It will support CCS1, CCS2, NACS and GB/T charging systems.
#GM has released their final design of the #Buick#wildcat EV. Specs and interior pictures are unknown at this time, but I’m sure they aren’t far behind from releasing the final pictures and specs.
#Lincoln expected to slate 2 names from their current line up of gas vehicles. The #Corsair and #Aviator while their first #EV being a 3 row crossover is expected in 2025.
#Toyota has unveiled plans to deliver a solid-state battery with 900 miles and 10 min charging time and plans to roll out the model by 2025. Do you think we’re close enough to solid-state batteries, and do you think their claims are valid?
Supposed rumors of the #Kia#EV5 being released in #China starting at $42,600 which will start cheaper than the #Tesla Model Y which starts at $49,000 in China. The specs of the EV5 are to be closely related to the EV6. More info will come out at and EV event in October of 2023.
There are 3 trims that are available:
•“Premium” trim starting at $52,750 and comes with 250 miles of range. •“Exclusive” trim starting at $54,000 and comes with 300 miles of range.
•“Pinnacle” edition starting at $60,500 and comes with 350 miles of range.
“Chauffeur will offer hands-off and eyes-off, point-to-point autonomous driving on highways , as well as eyes-on automated driving for other environments, in identified operational design domains.” It’ll be interesting to see how this software compares to #Tesla’s software.
The GMC EarthCruiser is built on the already existing GMC Hummer EV. It comes with 605w solar panels that can power the fridge and freezer. It comes with a 7” touch screen for system control. It also is equipped with the pop up roof, and a full size bed with air ride suspension.
#GMC has unveiled their #Hummer EV #EarthCruiser that can charge on 605w solar panels that can keep the vehicle charged and running for up to a week! Would you buy this, and if so where would you take it?