Latest news with #US595
NZ Autocar
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
How bad is the trouble at Tesla?
Tesla's recent momentum has slowed somewhat in the past few months. The brand recently posted a 71 per cent plunge in profits, and it seems things are looking grimmer than CEO Elon Musk is willing to admit. However, Musk insists Tesla isn't 'on the ragged edge of death.' But a closer look at the numbers suggests otherwise. Tesla isn't making money from selling cars anymore and only stayed profitable last quarter by selling $US595 million worth of regulatory credits to rivals. Without those lifelines, the company would be deep in the red. And those regulatory credits might not be around much longer. With the Trump administration aiming to axe federal emissions rules and strip California and other states of their tougher clean air standards, Tesla's side hustle could soon vanish, leaving a hole in its balance sheet. Read more Tesla Robotaxi revealed Meanwhile, Tesla's market share is under siege. Once the undisputed leader in EVs, Tesla is now losing ground in China and Europe, even as overall EV sales keep climbing. Chinese automaker BYD is about to snatch Tesla's crown as the world's top EV seller which will be a symbolic blow. Making matters worse is Musk himself. His increasingly outspoken political activities — from slashing federal agencies to backing far-right parties overseas — are turning off buyers and investors alike. Even Tesla fans on Wall Street are nervous that the brand has taken lasting damage, despite Musk's recent claims he'll dial back his political involvement. Still, Musk remains upbeat. He told investors Tesla has weathered worse and is still set up for a bright future. But the hard data tells another story: Tesla's core automotive profit margin — once an industry-leading 30 per cent — has shrunk to just 12.5 per cent, its lowest level in over a decade. It's a stunning reversal for a company that, not long ago, was America's most profitable carmaker and the world's most valuable automaker by a mile. Part of the problem is surging competition. Legacy carmakers and newcomers alike are flooding the market with compelling EVs, especially in China. And while Tesla still has plenty of believers, even they acknowledge the brand has lost some of its glow. Tesla's big bet now? Robotaxis. Musk is promising a driverless ride-hailing service, starting in Austin, Texas, alongside humanoid robots working in Tesla factories. Investors briefly cheered news that U.S. regulators are relaxing rules on autonomous vehicles, sending Tesla shares up 10 per cent. But the reality check is harsh: major rivals like GM and Ford have scaled back their robotaxi dreams, calling them unprofitable for the foreseeable future. Even Musk has admitted to overhyping Tesla's self-driving timelines, joking last year that he's 'the boy who cried FSD.' Now, with rising costs, intensifying competition, regulatory uncertainty, and a battered brand, Tesla faces a reality that can't be spun with optimism alone. The future may still be electric — but Tesla's dominance is no longer guaranteed.
West Australian
23-04-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Following the Vuelta cycle race in Italy
The 80th Vuelta a Espana cycle race will start in Turin, Italy, and ride through the Piedmont region. It is the first time the race has ever started outside of Spain. And cycle touring company Tourissimo has an exclusive Piedmont-Vuelta 2025 Bike Tour from August 22 to 28, 2025, giving guests the chance to see the first two live stages. Some of the world's top cyclists will have the Alps as their backdrop as they compete in stage one from Venaria Reale to Novara and stage two near Alba. The tour includes accommodation in four-star hotels, professional tour guides, support vehicles, luggage transfer (including bike cases), GPS navigation, and the option to rent Bianchi carbon road bikes or aluminium hybrids. The tour is from $6130 ($US3900), with a private room upgrade available for $935 ($US595). Tourissimo co-founder Heather Dowd says: 'This is a truly special moment for cycling. To see the Vuelta start in Italy, a region with such a deep passion for the sport, is unprecedented. 'We've crafted this tour to not only offer incredible access to the racing but also to immerse our guests in the beauty, culture and culinary delights of Piedmont.' Turin and Piedmont have a rich cycling heritage, having hosted the Giro D'Italia countless times. The Tour de France also came here in 2024. And the Piedmont-Vuelta 2025 Bike Tour will be an immersive journey through the region. + Riders will experience the pre-race atmosphere at the Reggia di Venaria Reale before the start of Stage 1. + Ride scenic routes along the Po River in Turin, up to the viewpoint of Colle della Maddalena, and through the Susa Valley bike path and Corona delle Delizie loop. + Cycle through the Barolo and Gavi wine regions. There are two exclusive wine tastings by Piedmont producers. + Visit Castellania, birthplace of cycling legend Fausto Coppi, and visit the museum dedicated to his career. + Visit Alba, in the heart of the Langhe wine and white truffle region and the historic spa town of Acqui Terme.
