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By Kevin Armstrong

Apple Bows out of EV Race

In the high-stakes game of technological innovation and market disruption, Tesla has come out on top despite the odds. Meanwhile, Apple Inc.’s recent decision to cancel its electric car project, Project Titan, serves as a poignant reminder of what might have been. What would’ve happened if Tim Cook met with Elon Musk?

Given its success, it’s easy to forget where Tesla came from. Still, when Apple fails to pull it off, it reflects on the potential strategic missteps of tech giants when faced with groundbreaking opportunities.

Apple’s Missed Chance

Apple decided not to make electric cars, even though it had the money and history of shaking up markets. This choice shows they didn’t want to stray too far from what the company is good at, even if it meant missing out on a big opportunity. But what did they leave on the table? Apple has some of the brightest minds and the resources to create the unimaginable. Yet Apple’s wonder team could not figure out how to get the technology right and the price point under $100,000 even with razor-thin margins.

Again, that shows what Tesla has been able to do. Not only building amazing cars but also reconstructing the manufacturing process, developing battery technology, and turning the automotive world on its head. Many of these pieces were already in place when Musk was in his “darkest days” with Tesla. Model 3 was a challenge that almost killed Tesla, and Musk claims he has PTSD from the experience. However, he was ready to hand all that technology, knowledge, and manufacturing to Apple for a bargain price.

The Road Not Taken: Apple’s Strategic Pivot

Despite its vast resources and history of disruptive innovation, Apple’s decision to shelve Project Titan suggests a reluctance to venture too far from its core competencies, even in the face of a potentially market-defining opportunity. While pragmatic, this pivot away from electric vehicles may be viewed through the lens of history as a missed chance to redefine another industry.

It evokes the question: Could Apple have mirrored Tesla’s success in revolutionizing the automotive industry had it embraced the same level of audacity and vision that Musk demonstrated? The answer is yes, but Apple reverted to its core strengths, which it has had obvious success. Perhaps it would’ve continued if the company were more desperate and needed a product to drive the stock price up and rattle the tech world. But Apple is doing just fine without cars.

While this could be considered a win for Tesla and other EV manufacturers, which have avoided a significant new competitor on the field, it may be a bit of a setback. Apple, like Tesla did, would’ve brought a refreshing take to the automotive industry. We can only imagine what the company had in store. Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. An Apple car would’ve helped that mission.

By Kevin Armstrong

Cybertruck Sold at Auction

A Foundation Series Tesla Cybertruck fetched a remarkable $244,000 at auction via Cox Automotive’s Manheim platform, surpassing its MSRP by more than $120,000 and capturing widespread attention. It’s crucial to take into account Tesla’s distinctive contract stipulations related to the resale of this highly sought-after, iconic vehicle.

Tesla’s Resale Terms

Tesla has outlined specific terms for the resale of the Cybertruck, given its initial limited release. Although the information is not on the website, it does appear with the purchase agreement. According to the contract, owners are prohibited from selling or attempting to sell the vehicle within the first year of delivery. Should an owner need to sell the vehicle within this period due to unforeseen circumstances, they must notify Tesla in writing, allowing the company to repurchase the vehicle at the original purchase price, adjusted for mileage, wear and tear, and repair costs to meet Tesla’s standards.

This policy highlights Tesla’s intent to control the resale market and maintain the vehicle’s exclusivity. Owners found breaching these terms face the possibility of significant penalties, including a $50,000 fine or the full value received from the sale, emphasizing the seriousness with which Tesla views compliance.

However, are we supposed to believe celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, and Jay-Z were sitting at their computers waiting for the reservation list to open? A-list celebs driving Teslas is good for the brand, but it’s questionable how they scooped up the Cybertruck so quickly if it wasn’t a private sale.

Buyer’s Intent and Tesla’s Stance

The purchase by a Porsche dealership in Orlando adds another layer of intrigue, as it remains unclear whether the vehicle will be showcased, resold, or used for comparative analysis. Automotive manufacturers often acquire competitors’ models for research and development purposes, suggesting that this acquisition could offer Porsche valuable insights into Tesla’s cutting-edge electric vehicle technology.

This high-profile auction sale could inspire other Cybertruck owners to explore the resale market, hoping for similar financial gains. However, Tesla’s stringent resale conditions may deter some, casting a shadow of speculation over how the company will enforce its policy. The effectiveness of Tesla’s strategy compared to other automakers’ efforts to prevent flipping remains to be seen, with this incident possibly setting a precedent for future transactions.

This isn’t the first instance of a Cybertruck making waves at auction. Previously, a Cybertruck was auctioned at the Petersen Museum Gala event, fetching an impressive $400,000. Whether this sale will encourage more owners to navigate Tesla’s resale policy for profit or if it will underscore the company’s control over its secondary market remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is the Cybertruck’s undiminished impact on both the electric vehicle landscape and the broader automotive industry.

By Kevin Armstrong

Model Y Top Safety Pick

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has once again raised the bar for vehicle safety in 2024, introducing more rigorous criteria to evaluate the protection vehicles offer to occupants and pedestrians alike. Amidst these enhanced standards, the Tesla Model Y stands out as a recipient of the prestigious Top Safety Pick+ award, affirming its position as a leader in automotive safety, a position it has held for years, also claiming last year’s title.

Innovative Safety Features

The 2024 Tesla Model Y has demonstrated outstanding performance across various safety tests, excelling in crashworthiness and crash avoidance capabilities. The vehicle earned the highest possible rating, ‘Good’’ in all tested categories, including small and moderate overlap front tests, side impact tests, roof strength, and head restraint tests. Notably, Model Y’s performance in the small overlap front test was particularly commendable, showcasing effective airbag deployment, well-maintained survival space for the dummy, and a low risk of significant injuries.

The Model Y has advanced safety features significantly contributing to its top-tier rating. Among these, automatic emergency braking stands out, displaying superior pedestrian detection and avoidance capabilities under daylight and nighttime conditions. Additionally, the vehicle’s LED projector headlights received high praise for their illumination quality, ensuring optimal visibility without causing glare to oncoming traffic. Lars Moravy, VP of Vehicle Engineering at Tesla, explains why the company’s vehicles are so safe.

Recognizing the importance of safety for passengers of all ages, the Tesla Model Y’s LATCH system for child seat anchors was rated ‘Acceptable.’’ This reflects the vehicle’s commitment to accommodating families and enhancing safety for younger passengers, highlighting the ease of use and accessibility of the anchors.

Absence of Model 3

While the Tesla Model Y has proudly secured its place among the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ awardees for 2024, the Model 3 was noticeably absent from this prestigious list. The reason behind this, as reported by Teslarati, sheds light on the stringent criteria set by IIHS and the potential for future inclusion of Model 3.

Historically, the Model 3 was honored with the Top Safety Pick+ award in 2020, 2021, and 2022 but was notably missing in 2023 and 2024. Joe Young of the IIHS explained to Teslarati the reason behind this absence: the Model 3 has yet to be evaluated in the institute’s updated side crash test and lacks a rating in the updated moderate overlap crash test—both critical components of the award criteria for this year.

This lack of current evaluations means the IIHS cannot consider the Model 3 for either safety award at this time. However, it’s not a definitive exclusion. The IIHS is open to recognizing the 2024 Model 3 later in the year as additional tests are completed and ratings are updated.

Tesla’s engineering focus on creating the safest vehicles in the world is evident, with an extremely low chance of roll-over and occupant injury, positioning the Model Y as the best-selling car globally and among the safest on the road.



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