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Over the 13 age describe onTeslaand its CEO , Elon Musk , I have see the rise , fall , near misses , and uprise again of the society and its billionaire leader . Musk , known for his willingness to take risk of exposure , has admit how shut the company came to file away for bankruptcy before release it all around .
It was that “ us versus them ” storyline that facilitate turn Musk into a symbolization of innovation .
His political alignment with President Trump , and more importantly , his activities as the unofficial leader of the Department of Government Efficiency , has changed public percept of Musk . But it ’s Tesla that is take aim the biggest hit , include adrop in Q1 sales , globalTesla Takedown protests , and a fall parentage damage . And automakers , which have long give chase Tesla in EV sales , are taking advantage of this opening by offering sweettrade - in dealsand other incentive .
elderly reporter Rebecca Bellan hasdocumented the momentsover the past several month that have affected Tesla . Her article will be periodically updated , so be sure to check back .
Can Tesla ricochet ? The recent duty announced by Trumpcould help Teslasince its fomite — and many of its components — are made here in the United States . It still might not be enough protective covering to stop the bleeding . And duty will in all probability hurt Tesla ’s vigour - storehouse business .
The chaos surrounding the tariffs implemented by Trump will tarry . We ’re just starting to see how automakers are reacting and adjusting . Some , likeFord , are endeavor to get out front and provide discounts to encourage sales in the short condition . AndVolkswagenhas told dealerships it plans toadd an import feeto the price of imported car sold in the United States , per The New York Times .
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
A little bird
A little bird told us that whileTesladefinitely appears brace to set up a robotaxi service in Austin this summer , the auto manufacturer ’s outreach to the city has been slim . Others like Waymo and Cruise ( back when Cruise was a affair ) have render to get off on the correct foot by tie with as many city stakeholders as possible before launch .
Some authorities officials also portion out guard concerns around Tesla ’s firebrand of autonomy . They worry Tesla ’s cars might have a more limited awareness of surround since they only rely on camera , rather than lidar and radiolocation , for perception .
capture a tip for us ? Email Kirsten Korosec atkirsten.korosec@techcrunch.comor my Signal at kkorosec.07 , Sean O’Kane atsean.okane@techcrunch.com , or Rebecca Bellan atrebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com . Or check outthese instructionsto learn how to contact us via code messaging apps or SecureDrop .
Deals!
All quiet on the quite a little front this week . Still , there were a few worth noting .
EVident Battery , a Massachusetts - based advanced assault and battery review tech startup , raised $ 3.2 millionin a seed financial backing rung led by Ibex Investors . Nationwide Ventures , Automotive Ventures , and Avesta Fund also conjoin .
Fourier , the hydrogen startup , raised $ 18.5 millionin a Series A stave led by General Catalyst and Paramark Ventures . Other participating investor include Airbus Ventures , Borusan Ventures , GSBackers , MCJ Collective , and Positive Ventures .
Windrose Technology , an EV maker base in Belgium and with Chinese roots , contrive to register for an IPO in the U.S. to $ 400 million , The New York Times reported .
Notable reads and other tidbits
Autonomous vehicles
TechCrunch reporterMaxwell Zeffinterviewed San Francisco mayorDaniel Lurie , and autonomous vehicle do occur up . tick out the video here .
speak of WeRide , the AV company has prevail a driverless public route examination and operating permitin France .
Electric vehicles, charging, & batteries
Harbinger , a average - duty EV manufacturer , officially started output and has manufactured its first 100 salable units , the company order TechCrunch . It ’s a famed milestone for the California - free-base startup , which was founded in 2021 . Those vehicles will be head up to several customers , including RV behemoth Thor Industries .
Meanwhile , Harbinger has also enter itself into the bankruptcy proceedings of EV startupCanoo . Harbingerfiled an objectionto the sales event of Canoo ’s assets to its CEO , potentially throwing a wrench into the 2 - month - old bankruptcy subject .
Riviandelivered just 8,640 vehiclesin the first three months of 2025 , the company ’s worst quarterly mark since the goal of 2022 . The company says it still expects to deliver between 46,000 and 51,000 EVs by the end of 2025 .
Redwood Materials , the shelling materials and recycling startup base by former Tesla CTOJB Straubel , open aresearch and development centerin San Francisco . The 15,000 - square - foot adroitness located in the metropolis ’s Design District is equipped with science laboratory space to endorse engineers who will finally work on every point of the battery ecosystem , from chemical substance engineering and cathode science to software and electrical engine room .
