Tag: model s

Categories
Mobile Syrup

U.S. safety regulators investigating Tesla Autopilot feature follow car crash

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating Tesla’s Autopilot feature after a Model S accident left three passengers dead, according to The Wallstreet Journal.

In May, one of Tesla’s Model S electric vehicles struck a curb on Newport Beach’s Mariners Mile strip. The vehicle reported ran into construction equipment, resulting in a fatal accident for the three occupants in the car. Additionally, three construction workers were taken to the hospital after suffering non-life-threatening injuries.

This incident has sparked a new investigation as the NFTSA looks into 30 incidents involving Tesla’s Autopilot feature. The police involved in the incident have declined to confirm whether the accident was due to Tesla’s Autopilot.

Last year, the NHTSA opened another investigation into Autopilot. This followed 11 other crashes with parked first responder vehicles since 2018. This string resulted in 17 total injuries and one death.

Tesla is one of many automotive companies to have a Level 2 driver assistance system available. Level 2 autonomous vehicles still require driver attention and hands on the wheel while the vehicle is in motion. Autopilot controls basic functions like steering, speeding and braking. Tesla says that it urges drivers to keep their eyes on the road.

Earlier this year, the first Tesla driver in the U.S. was charged following an accident that involved Autopilot. The owner of the Model S ran a red light, hit another car, and killed the two passengers of the vehicle.

The use of “partially automated” vehicles has led to confusion over their autonomous function. Another driver was found to be sitting in the back seat while their Tesla was in motion.

It’s still unknown what will come of the current NHTSA investigation.

Image credit: Tesla

Source: The Wallstreet Journal Via: Engadget

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Tesla increases the prices of Model 3, Model S, and Model X in Canada

Tesla has increased the Canadian listing price of many of its vehicles, including the Model 3. The price changes vary from $600 to upwards of $3000 depending on the model.

In a full breakdown, provided by Tesla North, the Model 3, Model S, and Model X ranges all face price increases in Canada. The list of new prices, alongwith previous price tags, are as follow:

Model 3
RWD – $61,380 to $61,980 (+$600)
Long Range – $71,990 to $74,990 (+$3,000)
Performance – $81,490 to $83,990 (+$2,500)

Model S
Long Range – $128,990 to $129,590 (+$600)
Plaid – $177,990 to $178,590 (+$600)

Model X
Long Range – $146,990 to $147,590 (+$600)
Plaid – $184,290 to $185,590 (+$1,300)

As noted in the report the $600 price increase affecting many of Tesla’s models is the freight delivery fee which is jumping from $1,280 to $1,880. This makes for the smallest impact across Tesla’s Model 3 RWD, the entirety of the Model S line, and the Model X Long Range.

The vehicle that stands to see the biggest price increase is Tesla’s Model 3 Long Range. Tesla raises the price by $3,000. The Model 3 Performance is just shy of that with an increase of $2,500. Last up is the Model X Plaid, with a $1,300 increase.

Tesla hasn’t been shy to increase the prices of its vehicles. In March, the price of the Tri-Motor Model X was increased by more than $15,000. Many other models across Tesla’s Model 3, Model S, and Model X family also saw increases. However, the company is reportedly launching a cheaper Model Y option with a larger battery.

Throughout Q1, Tesla delivered over 310,000 vehicles, despite admitting it was an “exceptionally difficult” quarter for the company. Although the demand remains for Tesla’s vehicles, Tesla continues to struggle with supply chain issues.

Source: Tesla North

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Tesla recalls more than 475,000 cars over safety issues

Tesla is recalling over 475,000 vehicles due to trunk-related safety concerns.

The recall specifically applies to 356,309 (2017-2020) Model 3 vehicles and 119,009 Model S electric cars.

For the Model 3, Tesla says opening and closing the trunk may damage the cable harness attached to the rearview camera, which could cause it to fail. The Model S recall, meanwhile, is more severe; front hood latch problems could lead the trunk to suddenly open and impair the driver’s vision.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says it’s not aware of any crashes, injuries or deaths related to the recalled vehicles.

However, in other safety news, the NHTSA recently began investigating Tesla’s decision to allow games to be played on screens while the car is in motion. This led Tesla to disable the feature.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Via: The Verge

Categories
Uncategorized

Fisker Purchases GM Plant

With the production capacity of 300 000 vehicles per year, the Wilmington plant, which manufactured the Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn L-Series and Saturn’s trio, Sky/Pontiac Solstice/Opel GT, was one of the jewels of GM.

As a sign of the current times, Goliath is giving David a chance, thanks to the money from the American government’s backing of the "smart energy grid."

Fisker will assemble its next plug-in hybrid sedan, called Nina, starting at the end of 2012. Ambitiously, the automaker hopes to create 2 000 jobs from now until 2012 and produce between 75 000 and 100 000 models annually.

However, the brand has yet to market one single model. The hybrid luxury sedan, Karma, is expected to arrive this spring, and a convertible is set to quickly follow.

It is still unknown whether the acquisition includes the production equipment used for the three GM convertibles, in which case the proposed comeback of the DeLorean would once again be abandoned.

 

Categories
Uncategorized

Fisker Moves Forward with Production

Following the path opened by Tesla, Fisker will be introducing a new model in 2012 that will cost roughly $50 000 CAD.

Symbolising the transition to the New World, the model is named Nina, referring to the name of one of Christopher Columbus’s ships.

Fisker is currently estimating that they will manufacture 75 000 to 100 000 units per year.  By comparison, it is expected that 20 000 of the Tesla Model S cars will be produced in 2011.

While both are contenders in the electric car market, each has its own niche because one is an all-electric car, while the Fisker features a small internal combustion engine.

Very little information is available so far on the Nina, other than that the US government has granted Fisker a loan of nearly $530 million, of which $360 million has been designated for production.