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End of an Era: Tesla’s Final Model S/X Roll Off Production Lines as Factory Shifts to Humanoid Robot Manufacturing

Leave a Comment / Tesla, Manufacturing / Production /

May 21, 2026 marks a historic milestone for the global automotive industry, as the last batch of Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles rolled off the production line at the company’s Fremont Factory in California. These two iconic models, which underpinned Tesla’s rise and set the global benchmark for premium all-electric vehicles, have officially ceased production. In a transformative strategic move, the original production lines will be fully dismantled and reconstructed within four months to exclusively manufacture Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots, with a planned annual production capacity of one million units. This pivotal shift heralds Tesla’s evolution from an automaker to a physical-world AI company, bringing Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar humanoid robot empire vision to fruition. The Model S and Model X stand as pioneering legends in the history of electric mobility. Launched in 2012, the Model S revolutionized the automotive landscape with a 426-kilometer maximum range and exceptional acceleration performance, dismantling the long-standing stereotype that electric vehicles were merely slow, commuter-only machines. It first proved that electric cars could match and even outperform luxury gasoline-powered vehicles in every key dimension. The Model X followed in 2015, redefining the standards of premium electric SUVs with its signature falcon-wing doors, versatile seven-seat layout, and industry-leading safety features. Boasting a 14-year production run for the Model S and an 11-year tenure for the Model X, the two vehicles have not only served as the cornerstone of Tesla’s business growth but also propelled electric mobility from a niche luxury novelty to a mainstream daily necessity. With cumulative global sales exceeding 3 million units, they have spearheaded the worldwide wave of automotive electrification. The discontinuation of the Model S and Model X stems from Tesla’s proactive strategic adjustment, rather than sluggish market performance. Industry data shows that Tesla delivered 1.6 million Model 3 and Model Y units globally in 2025, while sales of its high-end Model S and Model X amounted to merely 50,000 units, reflecting the brand’s long-term market focus on the mass consumer segment. As Elon Musk stated, “The Model S and X are labor-of-love creations, but the future belongs to robotics and AI.” Phasing out these two flagship models allows Tesla to concentrate resources on high-potential tracks, including humanoid robotics, autonomous driving, and self-developed AI chips. As the cradle of Tesla’s automotive manufacturing, the transformation of the Fremont Factory carries far-reaching significance. Its original Model S/X production lines will be completely renovated within four months to build dedicated production systems for Optimus humanoid robots, with a phase-one annual capacity of one million units. Meanwhile, Tesla’s Texas factory is preparing for the construction of second-generation production lines, targeting an annual output capacity of up to 10 million units. Built on Tesla’s mature battery, motor, and AI technologies inherited from its electric vehicles, the Optimus humanoid robot is essentially an intelligent mobile agent with limbs. It is designed to replace humans in repetitive factory operations, household service tasks, and high-risk work scenarios. Musk predicts that the humanoid robot market will eventually surpass the scale of the global automotive industry, with the sector’s total valuation reaching $25 trillion by 2050. Tesla’s strategic transformation represents a fundamental leap from “building wheels” to “creating intelligent agents”. Going forward, the company’s automotive business will focus on consolidating its mass-market presence with the Model 3 and Model Y, while expanding segmented tracks: the Cybertruck will serve as an autonomous driving freight platform, and the Cybercab will anchor unmanned travel services. Humanoid robots will become Tesla’s new core growth engine, leveraging its industry-leading AI algorithms, self-developed chips, and mature large-scale manufacturing capabilities to seize the blue-ocean global humanoid robot market. Industry analysts regard Tesla’s discontinuation of the Model S/X and shift to robot production as a classic case of technological dimensionality reduction. While traditional automakers remain trapped in fierce internal competition over fuel vehicles and ordinary electric cars, Tesla has broken free from the confines of the automotive industry to lay out the next generation of intelligent end devices—humanoid robots. This forward-looking strategic vision constitutes Tesla’s core competitive edge and keeps it at the forefront of global technological innovation. The sweeping transformation has sparked heated discussions across online platforms, with netizens remarking that a new era is dawning for Tesla. “The Model S and X hold nostalgic value for a generation. It’s a pity to see them discontinued, but Tesla’s pivot to robotics is absolutely groundbreaking.” “Elon Musk never plays by the rules. Shifting focus from car manufacturing to robotics shows unparalleled strategic vision.” “An annual capacity of one million units means Tesla is poised to dominate the humanoid robot market.” “Cars are just a transitional product. AI-powered humanoid robots represent the true future, and Tesla sees the bigger picture.” For consumers, the retirement of the Model S and X marks the end of a glorious automotive era. Yet Tesla’s bold transformation is set to deliver more disruptive technological products. In the future, as Optimus robots penetrate factories and households, reshaping human production and lifestyles, the world will come to recognize that Tesla has never been a mere automaker, but a relentless tech giant dedicated to subverting industries and empowering innovation.

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Starting at ￥109,900/￥134,900, the Volkswagen ID.UNYX 07/06 officially launched

Leave a Comment / New Cars /

On May 23, the Volkswagen ID.Unyx 07 and Volkswagen ID.Unyx 06 officially went on sale. The Volkswagen ID.Unyx 07 is available in two versions, Pure and Pure SE, with limited-time promotional prices of ￥109,900($16200) and ￥119,900($17600), respectively. The Volkswagen ID.Unyx 06 is also available in two versions, Pure and Pure SE, with limited-time promotional prices of ￥134,900($19900) and ￥144,900($21300), respectively. One sedan, one SUV—let’s take a look at their key highlights: Volkswagen ID.Unyx 07 The Volkswagen ID.Unyx 07 is a coupe, so its exterior features dynamic design elements. The entire lineup comes standard with 19-inch sport wheels—the largest in its class—which is one of the hallmarks of this sporty model. It is also equipped with self-sealing tires that can automatically repair punctures up to 5mm in diameter. The wraparound digital cockpit incorporates gold accents—not only a delightful surprise for users but also a design choice that enhances the cabin’s premium ambiance. The trunk offers an expansive capacity of 711 liters in standard configuration, expanding to 1,580 liters when the rear seats are folded down. It comes standard with a “four-screen linked” smart interaction matrix—the only one in its class—comprising a 10.25-inch HD instrument cluster, a 15-inch floating central control screen, a 12-inch 2K passenger entertainment screen, and a 27-inch AR-HUD, ensuring the driver and front passenger remain undisturbed. The AI voice assistant supports four-zone voice recognition and semantic reasoning, and with personalized avatar customization, it delivers a unique and engaging smart experience. The new model offers two intelligent driving systems: a pure vision-based system, which comes standard with six high-definition cameras, one millimeter-wave radar, and 12 ultrasonic radars, and supports Highway NOA (Navigation-based Autonomous Driving); and a LiDAR-based system, which builds upon the vision-based system to also support City NOA (expected to be available by the end of 2026). In terms of powertrain, the Volkswagen ID.Unyx 07 is equipped with a single motor delivering a maximum power of 170 kW, paired with a 60 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack. It achieves a CLTC-rated range of 558 km and has a top speed of 160 km/h. Volkswagen ID.Unyx 06 The Volkswagen ID.Unyx 06 is a coupe SUV, with handling being one of its standout features. With the segment’s smallest turning radius of 4.7 meters, it gives an SUV the agility of a subcompact car. The smart cockpit has been completely revamped, featuring an AI assistant powered by a new large language model and a standard 27-inch AR HUD. These elements integrate with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 15-inch central touchscreen, and a 12-inch passenger-side entertainment screen to form a “four-screen system.” This endows the vehicle with impressive smart capabilities. New practical features include V2L power sharing, a 9-speaker audio system, 50W front-row wireless fast charging, Sentinel Mode, a DVR dashcam, and a 360° transparent underbody view. The new model offers two intelligent driving systems: one is a pure vision-based system, which comes standard with 6 high-definition cameras, 1 millimeter-wave radar, and 12 ultrasonic radars, supporting highway NOA (Navigation-based Autonomous Driving); the other is a LiDAR-based system, which, in addition to the features of the vision-based system, will also support urban NOA (expected to be delivered by the end of 2026). In terms of powertrain, the new model is equipped with a 170kW rear-mounted electric motor, with maximum torque increased to 350Nm. The battery capacity has been upgraded to 60kWh, delivering a CLTC range of 528 kilometers.

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Xiaomi SU7 vs Tesla Model 3: Which Electric Sedan Dominates in 2026?

Leave a Comment / Comparisons, Tesla, Xiaomi /

The compact-to-midsize electric sedan segment has long been ruled by one undisputed king: the Tesla Model 3. For years, it has set the benchmark for EV efficiency, smart driving technology, and global mass-market appeal. However, a new powerhouse has arrived to challenge Tesla’s throne. The Xiaomi SU7, the debut electric vehicle from tech giant Xiaomi, has exploded onto the scene with eye-catching specs, premium build quality, and a tech-integrated experience that directly targets Tesla’s core audience. If you’re shopping for a stylish, practical, and high-performance electric sedan in the $30,000–$40,000 price range, these two models are undoubtedly your top contenders. Today, we’re breaking down every key dimension — performance, range, charging speed, intelligence, interior experience, and value — to help you decide: Is the new Xiaomi SU7 a better pick than the timeless Tesla Model 3 in 2026? Positioning & Exterior Design: Minimalism vs. Sporty Sophistication The design philosophies of the Model 3 and SU7 reflect their brand DNA perfectly. The Tesla Model 3 sticks firmly to Tesla’s iconicultra-minimalist electric design. With no redundant body lines, a closed-off front grille, sleek LED headlights, and a smooth fastback silhouette, its look is timeless, aerodynamically optimized, and instantly recognizable worldwide. It’s a design that prioritizes function over flair, catering to users who prefer low-key, durable aesthetics. In contrast, the Xiaomi SU7 adopts a more aggressive, premium sporty design. As a C-class mid-large sedan (one level above the Model 3’s B-class positioning), it features a longer wheelbase, a sculpted body, hidden door handles, and a sleek fastback roofline that delivers a more luxurious and dynamic visual impact. Its design balances sportiness and elegance, appealing heavily to younger buyers who want a car that stands out on the road without sacrificing practicality. Aerodynamically, both models excel: the Model 3 boasts a proven low drag coefficient, while the SU7’s optimized body structure achieves even better airflow efficiency, laying a solid foundation for its superior battery range. Power & Driving Performance: SU7 Takes the Lead in Raw Speed Performance is where the Xiaomi SU7 first shocks users, as it outperforms the standard Tesla Model 3 in almost every core power metric. The rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model 3 delivers 264 horsepower, a top speed of 200km/h, and a 0–100km/h acceleration time of 6.1 seconds — more than enough power for daily commutes and highway cruising. The Xiaomi SU7’s standard version leaves the Model 3 behind in raw performance. Equipped with the V6s Plus motor with a maximum rotation speed of 22,000rpm, it outputs 320 horsepower, hits a top speed of 240km/h, and sprints from 0–100km/h in just 5.28 seconds. For speed enthusiasts, the SU7 Max variant pushes acceleration to an astonishing 3.08 seconds, a figure that rivals luxury performance EVs far above its price range. In terms of driving tuning, Tesla retains its signature tight, pure sporty handling with stiff suspension and precise steering feedback, ideal for drivers who love immersive control. The Xiaomi SU7 strikes a smarter balance: its suspension filters out most road bumps for a comfortable daily ride, while retaining sharp response for spirited driving, making it more family-friendly without compromising sporty fun. Range & Charging: SU7 Wins Endurance, Tesla Dominates Charging Network Battery range and charging convenience are the two most critical concerns for EV buyers, and this round brings a clear differentiation between the two models. The standard Tesla Model 3 offers a CLTC range of 606km, while the long-range version reaches 830km. Tesla’s biggest advantage lies in its global supercharger network. With widespread, mature supercharger stations worldwide, the peak charging power of 250kW enables ultra-fast charging, and the system boasts exceptional stability and compatibility — a huge plus for long-distance travel. The Xiaomi SU7 takes the lead in pure range capability. Its standard version delivers a 700km CLTC range, and the SU7 Pro version tops out at 902km, effectively eliminating daily range anxiety. The model supports an 800V high-voltage platform (higher than the Model 3’s 400V platform in base versions), bringing theoretical faster charging potential. In actual use, the SU7 completes 10%–80% fast charging in approximately 30 minutes. The only shortcoming for Xiaomi is its charging network. As a new EV player, its supercharger coverage is far less extensive than Tesla’s, and long-distance travel during peak holidays may bring longer queuing times. For daily urban commutes, however, the SU7’s superior range fully meets weekly charging needs. Smart Driving & Cockpit: Tesla’s Algorithm vs. Xiaomi’s Full-Scene Ecology Smart technology is the core competitiveness of modern EVs, and the two brands take completely different technical routes. Tesla’s strength lies in its autonomous driving algorithm accumulation. Its standard Autopilot and optional FSD (Full Self-Driving) are the most mature mass-produced smart driving systems globally. With massive road data accumulated over years, Tesla delivers stable, reliable assisted driving performance with smooth logic for lane changes, cruise control, and obstacle avoidance. The downside is its minimalist cockpit: a single central screen cancels almost all physical buttons, which takes time for new users to adapt to, and its in-car entertainment and ecology functions are relatively simple. The Xiaomi SU7 comes with full-stack smart hardware as standard, including lidar and high-precision mapping modules that most base Model 3 versions lack. Its smart driving system performs excellently in urban complex road conditions, with precise identification of traffic lights, pedestrians, and non-motor vehicles, and smoother automatic parking performance. In terms of the cockpit experience, Xiaomi’s ecological advantage is overwhelming. Seamlessly connected with Xiaomi’s mobile phones, tablets, and smart home devices, the SU7 supports one-screen multi-tasking, ultra-smooth screen interaction, and rich third-party app adaptations. For users embedded in the Xiaomi smart ecosystem, the in-car experience is more intelligent, convenient, and interactive than Tesla’s relatively rigid system. Interior & Space: SU7 Offers More Premium & Spacious Experience Step inside the two cars, and the grade difference is immediately obvious. The Tesla Model 3’s interior is notoriously minimalist, with a large area of hard plastic, simple trim, and a single floating central screen. While durable and clutter-free, it lacks luxury texture, and the overall

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Explanation of Tire Size Specifications What Do These Numbers and Letters Actually Mean

Leave a Comment / Auto Parts, Buying Advice /

Summer brings intense heat and high temperatures, which pose unique challenges to vehicle tires. The scorching weather easily raises tire pressure, greatly increasing the risk of sudden blowouts. Additionally, high heat softens the tire tread, accelerating tread wear and shortening tire service life significantly. For these reasons, summer is widely regarded as the peak season for tire replacement among vehicle owners. When replacing tires, it is essential for drivers to fully understand tire specification parameters. Mastering these key figures and letters enables car owners to select tires that perfectly match their vehicles, delivering a safer, more comfortable, and smoother driving experience. This article provides an in-depth explanation of the complex combinations of numbers and letters on tire sidewalls, helping all drivers decode critical tire performance information. Most standard tires are marked with a unified specification format, such as the common “235/45 R18 94W”. Each number and letter in this combination carries a specific meaning that defines the tire’s size, performance, and application scope. We break down this typical specification in detail below. The number “235” refers to the tire’s cross-sectional width, measured in millimeters. Specifically, it represents the width of the tire’s contact surface with the road. This dimension directly affects the tire’s road grip and vehicle handling performance. A wider tire generally provides stronger grip, enhancing driving stability during acceleration, cornering, and braking, while a narrower tire helps reduce rolling resistance for better fuel economy. The figure “45” stands for the tire’s aspect ratio, which is the percentage ratio of the sidewall height to the tire tread width. Tires with a higher aspect ratio feature taller sidewalls, offering superior cushioning performance and effectively filtering out road vibrations, thus improving overall riding comfort. However, an excessively high aspect ratio will reduce tire rigidity, slightly compromising high-speed handling and cornering stability. In contrast, low-aspect-ratio tires deliver sharper handling but sacrifice part of the comfort performance. The letter “R” indicates the tire type, representing a radial tire. Radial tires are the mainstream choice for modern passenger vehicles, featuring a scientific internal cord layout. This structural design endows radial tires with excellent structural support, outstanding high-speed stability, and durable wear resistance, fully meeting the daily commuting and high-speed driving needs of most vehicles. The number “18” denotes the diameter of the matching wheel hub, measured in inches. This parameter must strictly conform to the vehicle’s original hub size. Mismatched diameter parameters will prevent the tire from being installed correctly and may cause potential safety hazards during driving. The number “94” is the tire’s load index, which corresponds to the maximum load-bearing capacity of a single tire. The higher the load index value, the greater the weight the tire can withstand. Vehicle owners must select tires with a load index that meets or exceeds the original factory standard to ensure stable load-bearing performance and driving safety, especially when the vehicle is fully loaded. The final letter “W” represents the tire’s speed rating, indicating the maximum safe speed the tire can sustain under standard load conditions. Different speed ratings correspond to distinct speed limits and high-temperature resistance levels. Drivers can choose tires with appropriate speed ratings based on their usual driving habits and road conditions to balance performance and safety. While specification parameters are the core basis for tire selection, vehicle owners also need to comprehensively consider multiple factors such as brand, material, and tread design when replacing tires. These elements jointly determine the tire’s overall performance, wear resistance, noise control, and service life. Choosing a reliable mainstream brand and suitable tire series is crucial to matching personal driving needs and ensuring long-term driving safety. The global tire market features many well-established mainstream brands with distinct performance characteristics, covering diverse needs for daily commuting, sports driving, and all-road adaptation. Michelin, a world-renowned French tire brand, is celebrated for its outstanding comfort and quiet performance. Its tires adopt soft and refined tread formulas, effectively reducing road noise and vibration during driving, making it the preferred choice for family cars and drivers pursuing high riding comfort. Equipped with advanced EverGrip technology, Michelin tires also maintain excellent wet-skid resistance and stable grip even after partial tread wear, delivering lasting safety performance. Bridgestone, a top Japanese tire brand, is famous for its balanced comprehensive performance. Its tire products have no obvious shortcomings in wear resistance, grip, and stability, achieving an optimal balance of durability, comfort, and handling. The classic Turanza series excels in both dry and wet road performance and adapts to mild winter conditions, perfectly suited for daily urban commuting and long-distance highway driving. Its Ecopia series focuses on low rolling resistance, helping reduce vehicle fuel consumption while ensuring basic driving performance. Pirelli, a professional Italian performance tire brand, is widely recognized as a benchmark for sports tires, it is currently the sole tire supplier for Formula 1. With high-rigidity tire structures and high-adhesion tread formulas, Pirelli tires deliver extreme road grip and precise steering response, making them the original equipment for most luxury sports cars and performance vehicles. They perform exceptionally well in high-speed driving and sharp cornering, meeting the performance pursuit of enthusiastic drivers, though they feature relatively higher tire noise and harder driving feel. Continental, a classic German tire brand, relies on mature silent tire technology and excellent braking performance to win market recognition. Its exclusive ContiSilent technology can effectively reduce road noise transmission, significantly improving in-car quietness during high-speed cruising. The brand’s SportContact series leads the ultra-high-performance tire field with outstanding dry and wet braking stability, while the AllSeasonContact series adapts to extreme temperature changes, achieving reliable all-season comprehensive performance. In addition, Dunlop, a time-honored British brand, balances cost performance and practicality, with excellent wear resistance and stable basic performance, suitable for most household economy vehicles. These mainstream brands have their own technical advantages and positioning, allowing car owners to make targeted choices according to their vehicle positioning, driving scenarios, and budget. In conclusion, learning to interpret tire specification parameters is a necessary skill for every car owner when replacing tires. Accurate identification

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Chinese electric vehicles have been approved for entry into the Canadian market, and dealers are actively seeking distribution rights.

Leave a Comment / Policy /

Starting in 2024, Canada will allow the import of 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles annually, subject to a 6.1% most-favored-nation tariff, with the quota increasing proportionally each year. Following the implementation of this policy, many Canadian auto dealers have begun actively seeking partnerships with Chinese automakers. Michael McGillivray, who manages 10 dealerships in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, noted that Chinese EVs excel in materials, design, and driving experience. He has joined other Canadian dealers in attending the Beijing Auto Show to establish connections with Chinese manufacturers. Farid Ahmed, CEO of DSMA, a car dealership brokerage firm in the Toronto suburbs, revealed that the company has received inquiries from nearly 400 Canadian dealers regarding the distribution of Chinese brands and is currently facilitating partnerships with automakers such as BYD, Geely, and Chery. Test drive vehicles from some Chinese brands have already arrived in Toronto. According to S&P Global data, total vehicle sales in Canada exceeded 1.9 million units in 2023, with major brands including General Motors, Ford, Toyota, and Hyundai. Some local consumers have expressed an open attitude toward Chinese EVs, believing they will increase market choices and have a positive impact. However, the Canadian Automobile Manufacturers Association has expressed concerns about opening the market to Chinese EV imports. The Canadian government has established annual import quotas as a “safety barrier” to limit market share in the initial phase. Industry analysts estimate that Chinese EVs will account for 3% to 5% of the market in Canada initially, which is not yet sufficient to significantly alter the existing competitive landscape.

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Will pure vision-based autonomous driving definitely beat LiDAR

Leave a Comment / Industry, Tesla /

Recently, Tesla’s autonomous electric vehicle Cybercab officially entered production in North America, becoming the world’s first mass-produced Level 5 autonomous vehicle without human intervention. According to media reports, Tesla, through a self-certification compliance pathway, is not subject to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s annual exemption quota of 2,500 autonomous vehicles, enabling unlimited production capacity. As recently as last December, a Tesla owner completed a 10,000-mile intercontinental drive using the FSD V14.2 system, crossing 24 U.S. states with zero human intervention throughout the journey. Meanwhile, in December 2025, a large-scale power outage occurred in San Francisco, causing all traffic lights to fail. Overnight, 300 Waymo autonomous taxis were completely paralyzed at intersections, unable to move. Within 6 hours, there were more than 20 related complaints, and fire vehicles were unable to pass. Later that night, Waymo announced the suspension of its entire fleet in the city. A single power outage crippled an entire city’s autonomous driving system. One system was completely paralyzed by an infrastructure failure, while the other could cross an entire country without human hands touching the steering wheel. Behind this lies the biggest technological route dispute in the history of autonomous driving. 2026: Pure Vision Autonomous Driving Has Won In March 2024, Tesla released the FSD V12 version. This version achieved a breakthrough previously unimplemented: discarding all approximately 300,000 lines of handwritten C++ driving rule code and replacing it with an end-to-end neural network. Previous autonomous driving systems followed this logic: brake when encountering a red light, yield when detecting pedestrians, and slow down, observe, yield, and then merge when entering a roundabout. For each scenario, engineers needed to write a rule. 300,000 lines of code covered thousands of scenarios. But the real world contains infinite possibilities, and engineers can never exhaust all rules with code alone. FSD V12’s approach is completely different. It does not tell the vehicle how to drive; instead, it provides the model with millions of video clips of human driving for it to learn independently. The input is only camera images, and the output is directly steering wheel angle, throttle, and brake commands, with no human-prescribed rules in between. As Elon Musk put it: “Not a single line of code says ‘this is a roundabout.’” For this reason, the industry has called V12 the “ChatGPT moment” in the field of autonomous driving. ChatGPT does not rely on human-written grammatical rules to form sentences, but rather learns the essence of language from trillions of words. Similarly, V12 does not rely on human driving rules to control vehicles, but comprehends the essence of driving from billions of miles of driving data. From the perspective of version iteration, V12.3 had a critical disengagement (requiring human takeover) approximately every 180 to 228 miles; V13.2 improved this indicator to 371 to 493 miles; V14.2 exceeded 1,400 miles. The newly released V14.3 version is defined by Tesla as the final piece of the puzzle to achieve unsupervised FSD—with upgraded reinforcement learning training and a 20% reduction in inference latency. From V12 to V14, the safety distance has increased by 8 times in less than two years. During the 2026 Q1 earnings call, Elon Musk made a weighty statement: V14 is significantly safer than human driving. This means that autonomous driving has crossed a threshold for the first time—it is no longer approaching humans, but surpassing them. At the same time, three industry signals support this judgment. First, the weak are eliminated. Apple abandoned Project Titan; Argo AI collapsed completely. It is not that the technology is unfeasible, but that funding is unsustainable. R&D costs are squeezing out players without a data flywheel. Second, the survivors are accelerating. Waymo completes 500,000 rides per week, and Baidu has served more than 20 million times cumulatively. But Tesla already has 1.28 million FSD paid users, with a cumulative driving distance exceeding 10 billion miles—nearly 50 times that of Waymo. The data advantage is not linear growth, but exponential: more data trains a better model, a better model attracts more users, and more users generate more data. Third, the wind is shifting. XPeng Motors removed LiDAR from multiple models and launched a pure vision solution; NIO shifted to an end-to-end technical route; China’s largest ADAS supplier developed an end-to-end system that does not rely on LiDAR. Even Waymo itself reduced the number of sensors from 40 to 23 in its sixth-generation system. The direction is clear: more AI, fewer sensors. Therefore, 2026 has become the first year, not because LiDAR has become cheaper, nor because a certain city has put hundreds more robotaxis on the road, but because a fundamental technological paradigm shift has occurred: software has proven for the first time that it can replace hardware, and AI driving has surpassed human driving in a statistical sense for the first time. The Structural Pitfalls of LiDAR Waymo is currently the only company operating large-scale fully autonomous taxis. With 500,000 rides per week, operating 3,000 vehicles in 10 U.S. cities, it has raised a total of 16 billion US dollars and has a valuation of 126 billion US dollars. This is the most commercially successful autonomous driving enterprise to date. However, Waymo relies on three core elements: high-precision maps, LiDAR, and remote operators. These three work well together under ideal conditions, but the real world is not always ideal. During the San Francisco power outage, all traffic lights failed, and 300 Waymos were collectively paralyzed. Its logic is to treat unmarked intersections as four-way stops, but when the entire city loses power, every intersection becomes a four-way stop, and requests to the remote control system are instantly overwhelmed. A single infrastructure failure led to the entire fleet going offline. In December 2025, a Waymo carrying passengers in Los Angeles drove straight into an armed police arrest scene. Police officers were holding guns, and the suspect was lying on the ground. After slowing down, the Waymo stopped next to the suspect, as the system could not understand the meaning of

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BYD to Overtake Tesla in Energy Storage Shipments in 2025 and Claim the Top Spot

Leave a Comment / Green Energy /

According to the latest statistics released by the authoritative research firm Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, BYD officially surpassed Tesla as the world’s leading battery energy storage system integrator in 2025, ranking first with shipments exceeding 60 GWh and a market share of 13%. This shift ended Tesla’s two-year consecutive lead from 2023 to 2024. During the same period, Tesla’s energy storage installed capacity stood at 46.7 GWh, with a market share of 10%, ranking second globally. This shift in rankings occurred against the backdrop of rapid expansion in the global energy storage market. In 2025, global battery energy storage system installations surged by 51% year-over-year to approximately 315 GWh, while shipments of stationary energy storage cells exceeded 600 GWh. Amid this explosive growth, the Chinese market emerged as the core driving force. In December 2025 alone, the installed capacity of large-scale energy storage projects in China reached 65 GWh—a figure that even surpassed the total annual energy storage installations in the United States. The key to BYD’s ability to overtake its competitors lies in the advantages of its vertically integrated industrial chain. Data shows that in the first three quarters of 2025, BYD’s total battery production exceeded 113 GWh, with this capacity simultaneously supporting the rapid expansion of both its electric vehicle and energy storage businesses. The model of independently researching, developing, and manufacturing Blade lithium iron phosphate battery cells not only gives BYD a structural advantage in cost control but also provides the company with greater confidence when launching high-capacity products. For example, the “Haohan” energy storage system launched in September 2025 features a standard capacity of 14.5 MWh—approximately three times that of Tesla’s Megapack product released during the same period—and has already been successfully deployed in massive overseas projects such as a 12.5 GWh facility in Saudi Arabia. In contrast, although Tesla maintained a robust year-over-year growth rate of 49% in 2025 and plans to increase its annual energy storage production capacity to 50 GWh by the end of 2026, its supply chain weaknesses remain evident. Due to a long-standing lack of in-house battery cell production capabilities, Tesla’s Megapack products rely primarily on external procurement, with its cell suppliers even including BYD and CATL—its direct competitors in the energy storage sector. To alleviate this situation, Tesla recently finalized a multi-billion-dollar lithium iron phosphate battery procurement agreement with LG Energy Solution; however, this reflects that the company remains dependent on upstream supply chains for core components. Looking at the overall list of the top ten companies in the global energy storage industry, Chinese firms now occupy eight spots. In addition to BYD, companies such as Sungrow, CRRC Zhuzhou Institute, CATL, and Huawei are all on the list.

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Breaking News! Tesla Officially Announces the FSD Supervision Edition

Leave a Comment / Policy, Tesla /

May 21 — Today, Tesla officially released the latest list of countries and regions where FSD Supervised is available on social media platforms. China is included, along with nine others: the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, the Netherlands, and Lithuania. Lithuania is the newest addition to this list, marking the second European country where Tesla’s FSD has been approved for use. Covering 10 countries represents the largest expansion of Tesla’s FSD to date. Tesla’s FSD stands for Full Self-Driving. However, since drivers must remain fully attentive and ready to take control of the vehicle at any time while using it, it is referred to as FSD Supervised. This is Tesla’s Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature available to the public. So, is FSD with Supervision now actually available in China? When asked by Tesla’s official customer service whether FSD with Supervision is available, the response was: “We are actively advancing preparations for intelligent driver-assistance software in accordance with relevant regulations issued by the country in recent years.” Currently, there are no updates regarding FSD on Tesla’s official website, nor have any users reported receiving updates on social media platforms.

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Drive on Three Wheels, The Fangchengbao Bao 8 Yunnian-P Ultra Experience

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To be honest, there are still many shortcomings when it comes to electrifying off-road vehicles. Batteries are vulnerable to impact, charging is inconvenient, and there are concerns about whether the suspension can withstand continuous shocks—these are all major pain points. However, after experiencing the “Yun Nian-P Ultra” version of the Fangchengbao Bao 8 Flash Charge Edition at the BYD factory, I found that not only can it extricate itself from a stuck situation without assistance, but it can even drive on three wheels. This truly gave me a new perspective on hard-core off-road vehicles powered by new energy. Let’s take a quick look at the vehicle. The Bao 8 Flash Charge Edition hasn’t changed much in appearance; it still retains its boxy, rugged style, with the addition of a two-tone body. The interior has been upgraded with North American white ash wood trim and a dual-door refrigerator, while the second row now features manual sunshades and thigh supports. But these aren’t the main focus—the real highlights are the following three: the YunNian-P Ultra hydraulic suspension, the second-generation Blade Battery with Flash Charge, and the DMO+ electric drive platform. The YunNian-P Ultra: Practical Functionality, Not Just a Gimmick The core of this test drive is the newly upgraded “YunNian-P Ultra” all-scenario intelligent hydraulic body control system. According to the manufacturer, it addresses the three major pain points of off-roading: getting stuck, failing to withstand rough terrain, and a bumpy ride. At the off-road test track set up at the BYD factory, we tested each feature one by one. First up was a simulated scenario of getting stuck in sand. Here, the YunNian-P Ultra’s “All-Condition Wheel Lift” feature proved most useful. After becoming stuck in the sand, a single button press lifted all four wheels simultaneously. We then placed a ramp or added some sand into the hole, and once the wheels were lowered, the vehicle easily broke free. No more need for a tow truck—self-rescue without relying on others. Moreover, any of the four wheels can be lifted individually, with a maximum lift height of 300 mm. With this feature, in addition to self-rescue, you can easily change a tire without using a jack. During a live demonstration, a staff member simply pulled out their phone, opened the Fangchengbao app, and tapped the “Lift Wheel” function. In no time, the suspension lifted the flat tire, and the lifting height could be adjusted. The next steps involved loosening the lug nuts, removing the tire, installing the new tire, and tightening the bolts. A professional mechanic timed the process at under 1 minute, while an average person using an electric wrench can typically complete it within 3 minutes. Furthermore, even if there is no spare tire available, the system features a “three-wheel driving” mode that allows the vehicle to drive at low speed on three wheels to the nearest repair shop. While this suite of features may seem novel, it offers significant practical value in real-world scenarios. Furthermore, the “YunNian-P Ultra” features full-scenario height adjustment capabilities, with suspension travel increased from 145 mm in the previous generation to 200 mm. It not only provides wheel lift but also offers full vehicle lift, capable of raising the body an additional 110 mm on steep slopes or rough terrain, with a maximum lifting capacity of 9 tons. Even when encountering obstacles while climbing a slope, lifting the vehicle with this feature significantly increases ground clearance and approach angle, allowing the vehicle to easily clear the obstacle. It’s worth noting that this system also features a camping leveling function. When camping in the wild on uneven ground, a single press of the “Camping Leveling” button automatically adjusts the height of all four wheels, leveling the cabin floor. This makes lying down more comfortable and ensures your picnic won’t be ruined by a tilted pot. On city roads, it also offers an anti-motion sickness mode, reducing brake dive by 20% and significantly improving the pitching sensation during acceleration and deceleration—a definite plus beyond off-road capabilities. DMO+ Platform: Point-and-Shoot Operation, Veteran Off-Roader Performance The Bao 8 Flash Charge Edition adopts the “DMO+” electric off-road platform, debuting with BYD’s full-speed-range road surface perception control technology. In practice, simply select the appropriate terrain mode. Whether on sand, mud, or rock, sensors continuously monitor the traction of each wheel against the ground in real time and automatically distribute torque. This eliminates the common issue with traditional off-road vehicles where “too little throttle leaves you stuck, while too much sends you careening out of control,” significantly lowering the barrier to entry for off-roading beginners. The event also featured dedicated test-drive scenarios, including cross-axle obstacles, gravel roads, and side slopes. While the simulated terrain was highly challenging, the Leopard 8 Flash Charge Edition navigated them with ease thanks to its DMO+ electric drive system and excellent body rigidity. Even after continuous testing, the vehicle showed no signs of abnormalities. Second-Generation Blade Battery + Flash Charge: 5-Minute Boost, Unfazed by Extreme Cold Finally, let’s talk about the battery and charging. The Bao 8 Flash Charge Edition is equipped with a second-generation Blade Battery. The manufacturer claims it can “charge to 70% in 5 minutes and reach full charge in 9 minutes,” meaning a 5-minute charge takes the battery from 10% to 70%, and it’s nearly full in 9 minutes. Even in extremely cold conditions, charging time increases by only 3 minutes. More importantly, there’s safety. The manufacturer conducted extreme tests: while fast-charging, they pierced the battery with a needle and simultaneously short-circuited all four cells—yet the cells didn’t catch fire or emit smoke. Even after a 1,500-joule impact, the battery didn’t catch fire or explode. When off-roading, the biggest fear is scraping the battery on the ground, but the Leopard 8 Flash Charge Edition gives drivers peace of mind in this regard. Summary: Throughout the entire test drive, the “YunNian-P Ultra” impressed with its array of robust features: self-rescue capabilities when stuck, no need for a jack in case of a flat tire,

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