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Over the course of 13 years with Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk, I have seen the rise, falls, nearby mistakes and once again rise of the company and its billionaire leaders. Known for his willingness to take risks, Musk acknowledges how close the company has come to file for bankruptcy.
It was the “Us vs. They” storyline that helped transform the mask into a symbol of innovation.
His political alignment with President Trump, and more importantly, his work as an informal leader in government efficiency, has changed the public’s perception of Musk. However, Tesla has been the biggest hit, including a decline in sales in the first quarter, a global Tesla takedown protest, and a decline in stock prices. And the automakers who have long ousted Tesla in EV sales are taking advantage of the opening by offering sweet trade-in trading and other incentives.
Senior reporter Rebecca Veran has documented moments over the past few months that influenced Tesla. Her articles are updated regularly, so be sure to check them out.
Can Tesla rebound? The recent tariffs announced by Trump can help Tesla as Tesla and its vehicles, and many of its components, are made in the US here. It may not be enough protection yet to stop the bleeding. Tariffs can hurt Tesla’s energy storage business.
The chaos surrounding the tariffs implemented by Trump remain. We are beginning to see how automakers react and adjust. Like Ford, some people are trying to offer discounts to promote sales in the short term. And Volkswagen told dealers it plans to add import fees to the prices of imported cars sold in the US, according to the New York Times.
Little bird
The little bird said Tesla appears poised to launch Robotakhi services in Austin this summer, but the automaker’s outreach to the city is only a small number of outreach. Others like Waymo and Cruise (when Cruise was something) tried to get off on their right foot by connecting with as many city stakeholders as possible before launch.
Some government officials also shared safety concerns about Tesla’s autonomous brand. They fear that Tesla cars rely solely on cameras rather than riders or radar for perception, so they may have more limited perceptions of their surroundings.
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Great deal!
This week is quiet at the forefront of all contracts. Still, it was worth noting.
Embident Batters, a Massachusetts-based advanced battery testing technology startup, has raised $3.2 million in a seed funding round led by IBEX Investors. Ventures, automotive ventures and the Abesta Fund also participated.
Hydrogen startup Fourier raised $18.5 million in Series A round led by popular catalysts and paramark ventures. Other participating investors include Airbus Venture, Volusan Venture, GSBackers, MCJ Collective, and positive ventures.
Windrose Technology, a Belgium-based EV manufacturer with Chinese roots, is planning to file an IPO in the US to $400 million, the New York Times reported.
Notable readings and other information
Self-driving cars
TechCrunch reporter Maxwell Zeff interviews San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, who will be introducing self-driving cars. Watch the video here.
Uber is partnering with Dubai Roads and Transportation Bureau in a transaction that paves the way for AVS to operate in the UAE city. Uber doesn’t have its own AVS, so it relies on partnerships. The first thing in Dubai is that a Chinese company will take you there.
Speaking of Weride, AV has obtained unmanned public road tests and operating permits in France.
Electric cars, charging, batteries
Harbinger, a medium-sized EV manufacturer, has officially begun production and is producing the first 100 available for sale units. This is a notable milestone for a California-based startup, founded in 2021. These vehicles will be directed to multiple customers, including RV Giant Tall Industries.
Meanwhile, Harbinger has also been inserted into the bankruptcy proceedings of EV Startup Canoo. Harbinger challenges the sale of CANOO’s assets to the CEO and could throw a wrench in a two-month bankruptcy case.
Libian delivered just 8,640 vehicles in the first three months of 2025. This is the company’s worst quarterly mark since the end of 2022. The company expects to offer between 46,000 and 51,000 EVs by the end of 2025.
The recycling startup, founded by Redwood Materials, Battery Materials, former Tesla CTO JB Straubel, has opened a research and development center in San Francisco. The 15,000-square-foot facility in the city’s design district is equipped with lab space that supports engineers who ultimately work at every point in the battery ecosystem, from chemical and cathode science to software and electrical engineering.