The Auto Weekly: Tesla's Semi Play, Rivian's Cheaper Model Promise And Detroit's Market Share Threat

Tesla (TSLA) plans to unveil its delayed Roadster on October 1, 2026, featuring a carbon-fiber design and potential SpaceX thrusters. The event follows recent Cybercab rides and Q2 vehicle deliveries of 480,126, up 25% YoY. Investors watch for production timelines amid past delays and financial pressures.

Tesla has started delivering its Semi trucks to customers like PepsiCo, DHL, and US Foods, nine years after its initial unveiling. The electric trucks come in two versions with ranges of 325 and 500 miles. Tesla aims to produce 50,000 Semis annually, despite past delays. Recent orders from Catalyst Mobility and Einride indicate growing interest, though electric Class 8 trucks remain a small market segment.

Tesla has started mass production of its Semi electric truck at its Nevada Gigafactory, capable of producing 50,000 trucks annually. The Semi features advanced technologies, including in-house battery cells, improved drivetrain, and a next-gen heat pump. It comes in two variants: Standard Range (548 kWh, 500 km range) and Long Range (822 kWh, 800 km range). Tesla claims the Semi requires minimal maintenance and has over 98% uptime. The company has also deployed Megacharger stations for charging.

Tesla (TSLA) has started delivering its electric Semi trucks, nearly a decade after the 2017 unveiling. The Reno, Nevada factory aims to produce up to 50,000 trucks annually, creating 3,000 jobs. The top model can travel over 500 miles per charge, priced at nearly $300,000. Tesla has improved the design and charging infrastructure but notes challenges remain.

Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) release in the EU is delayed until at least December, as the Technical Committee on Motor Vehicles will not vote in October. Seven EU countries have approved FSD, but an EU-wide authorization requires a qualified majority. Tesla reports FSD's safety data, claiming it's 4.1 times less likely to be involved in a crash than manual driving. Meanwhile, SpaceX prepares for Starship's first orbital flight, aiming to deploy 26 Starlink V3 satellites.

Tesla has begun customer deliveries of its Semi truck, showcasing a new 1.8 million-square-foot factory with a 50,000-truck annual capacity. The facility features advanced manufacturing technologies, including automated battery production and a high-capacity electrified monorail system. Tesla has redesigned the Semi for high-volume production, improving efficiency, reliability, and reducing costs.