Latest news with #ModelS
Miami Herald
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Tesla failed to stop Autopilot misuse, safety expert testifies
Tesla Inc. hasn't done enough to protect against drivers misusing its Autopilot system, a safety expert testified at a trial over a 2019 fatal collision. Mary "Missy" Cummings, an engineering professor at George Mason University, told jurors in Miami federal court that the Tesla owner's manual, which contains critical warnings about how the system works, is difficult for drivers to access. She also said that prior to the crash, the company was having problems with drivers ignoring computer-generated warnings and had not embraced so-called geo-fencing already in use by other car makers to block drivers from activating driver-assistance functions on roads they're not designed for. "Do you have any opinion as to why Tesla chose not to geofence its tech in 2019 and create a safe operational domain when other manufacturers were?" Cummings was asked by a lawyer for the plaintiffs, Brett Schreiber. "I believe they were using that as a way to sell more cars," said Cummings, who previously served as a senior adviser at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A Tesla representative declined to comment on Cummings' testimony. She is expected to return to the witness stand Thursday when lawyers for Tesla will have a chance to question her. The trial, which began Monday and is expected to take three weeks, is among the first to test Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk's claims that his cars are the safest ever made. It comes at a critical juncture for Tesla, which is making a big push to roll out a robotaxi business as the company stakes its future in part on autonomous driving. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of Naibel Benavides Leon, who was killed, and Dillon Angulo, who was seriously injured when a Tesla Model S went through a T-intersection in Key Largo and off the pavement, striking their parked Chevrolet Tahoe as they were standing next to it. The plaintiffs' lawyers allege that Tesla's driver-assistance system was defective and that the company failed to warn users about its limitations. Tesla maintains that the crash was caused by driver error, a defense the company has successfully used to win two previous California trials when Autopilot was blamed for accidents. George McGee, the driver of the Model S, had engaged the driver-assistance system, but had dropped his mobile phone and wasn't watching the road while reaching for the device on the floorboard. Lawyers for Angulo and the estate of Benavides Leon told the jury that the collision was a "preventable tragedy" and that the automated system built into the car failed to respond when it detected the end of the roadway, regardless of how McGee was driving. They have repeatedly shown jurors augmented video clips captured by cameras on the car that show the system identifying the edge of the road, paint on the roadway indicating a stop sign, the Tahoe parked off road and a pedestrian standing nearby. But Tesla argues that no technology that was on the market in 2019 would have been able to prevent the crash, and that McGee was fully at fault because he was pressing the accelerator and overriding the vehicle's adaptive cruise control before he went off the road. Cummings was asked by Schreiber about a letter to NHTSA in which Tesla asserted that "Autopilot has the most robust set of warnings against driver misuses and abuse of any feature ever deployed in the automotive industry." She told the jury, "I saw no evidence that would back up this claim that they have the most robust set of warnings." When Cummings was appointed as a safety adviser for NHTSA in 2021, Musk called her "extremely biased against Tesla" and Tesla fans signed a petition against her. Cummings has served as an expert witness in at least two other lawsuits against Tesla related to the Autopilot system, according to court filings. The professor said McGee was very clear speaking after the accident that he thought this car was his copilot and that it would stop for obstacles in the road. Like many Tesla drivers, she said, McGee felt he could rely on Autopilot to navigate when he dropped his phone. "The car is doing a good job of driving so I'm going to reach down and pick it up because my copilot is driving," she said. The case is Benavides v. Tesla, 1:21-cv-21940, US District Court, Southern District of Florida (Miami). Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tesla prices across the Gulf: Which models are available in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia
Tesla offers Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck across the Gulf, with availability varying by country. TL;DR Tesla launched in the UAE (2017), Qatar (2023), and Saudi Arabia (2025). The UAE is the most advanced Tesla market in the region. All core models, Model 3, Y, S, X, and Cybertruck—are sold in the Gulf. Pricing starts around $45,000 and goes above $120,000 based on model and trim. Charging and service networks are growing across all three countries. When Tesla was founded in 2003, its goal was simple but ambitious: to change the way we think about cars by making electric vehicles the future of transportation. Nearly 22 years later, Tesla's reach has grown well beyond Silicon Valley, making a strong presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The company first arrived in the UAE in 2017, not just as another car brand, but as a catalyst for change in the region's automotive scene. Since then, Tesla has carefully expanded into Qatar in late 2023 and Saudi Arabia in early 2025, tailoring its models and support networks to fit each country's unique pace. Today, the Gulf stands as a vital market in Tesla's global strategy, with even its flagship models available, a clear indication of the region's accelerating adoption of advanced electric mobility and its rising significance in Tesla's international growth. Today, the Gulf stands as a vital market in Tesla's global strategy, with a full range of models available, reflecting the region's accelerating adoption of advanced electric mobility and its increasing significance in Tesla's global growth. United Arab Emirates: Tesla's First Market in the Middle East Tesla's first official Middle East entry began in February 2017, when it launched in the UAE with the Model S and Model X, sold directly via Tesla's website and supported by a growing physical footprint. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo The company began deliveries by mid-2017, opening showrooms and service centers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, and laying the groundwork for a vast network of over 300 Superchargers—some of them solar-powered. As of 2025, the UAE remains Tesla's most developed GCC market, with five models currently available: the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck. What's Available in the UAE? The Model 3 remains the brand's most accessible offering. It's sold in three trims: The Rear-Wheel Drive (325 horsepower) delivers a balanced mix of efficiency and performance. The Long Range AWD (441 hp) extends the car's range while maintaining high-speed stability. The Performance AWD (513 hp) prioritizes acceleration, doing 0–100 km/h in just over 3 seconds. Prices range from AED 167,990 to 219,990 (about $45,700 to $59,900 USD). The Model Y, a compact SUV built for families and utility, comes in: A Standard RWD trim with 201 hp, A Long Range AWD version with 346 hp, And a Performance AWD version with 526 hp and a 7-seat layout. Prices run from AED 198,170 to 239,770 (~$54,000 to $65,400 USD). For luxury buyers, the Model S and Model X offer dual- and tri-motor configurations: Model S AWD : 670 hp, aerodynamic profile, top-tier range. Model S Plaid: 1,020 hp with hypercar-level performance. Price: AED 322,990–377,990 (~$87,900–102,800 USD) Model X AWD: Same 670 hp platform with more space and vertical doors. Model X Plaid: 1,020 hp and 0–100 km/h in under 2.6 seconds. Price: AED 342,990–397,990 (~$93,400–108,400 USD) Also available: the Cybertruck, priced at AED 300,800 (~$81,900 USD). Though it launched globally in late 2023, UAE buyers now have full access to the dual-motor AWD variant, known for its armored design and off-road credentials. Saudi Arabia: An Important Market Entry in 2025 Tesla launched in Saudi Arabia on April 10, 2025, opening its first showroom and service center in Riyadh, alongside a regional delivery hub. The launch was more than a retail expansion, it coincided with the Saudi government's clean energy push under Vision 2030. Initial offerings include the Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck. Pop-up locations in Jeddah and Dammam are in development, and Superchargers have already gone live in multiple cities. Vehicles Now Available in Saudi Arabia The Model 3 lineup is identical to the UAE's: RWD version priced at SAR 193,790 (~$51,600 USD) Long Range AWD: SAR 203,485–213,290 (~$54,200–56,800 USD) Performance AWD: SAR 237,985–243,290 (~$63,500–64,800 USD) The Model Y is also sold in three trims: RWD: SAR 194,037 (~$51,700 USD) Long Range AWD: SAR 220,591 (~$58,900 USD) Performance AWD: SAR 241,017 (~$64,300 USD) The Cybertruck is available for pre-order, with deliveries expected by the end of 2025. Saudi buyers are expected to receive both the Dual Motor AWD and Cyberbeast (Tri-Motor) configurations. This delayed but impactful entry aligns with the country's broader transition to clean mobility and domestic EV production partnerships (e.g. Lucid, Ceer), showing Tesla's place in a much larger national shift. Tesla's Growing Presence in Qatar After Recent Launch Tesla began taking orders in Qatar in December 2023, and opened its first retail location in June 2024, located in Doha Festival City mall. Though quieter than launches in the UAE and Saudi, Tesla's Qatar operation quickly brought its full vehicle lineup to market. Currently available: the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X, with pricing across a wide range of trims. Model Overview in Qatar The Model 3 starts at QAR 164,990 (~$45,300 USD) for the standard 60 kWh RWD trim. Long Range AWD (78 kWh): QAR 184,990–194,990 (~$50,800–53,500 USD) Performance AWD: QAR 214,990–224,990 (~$59,000–61,800 USD) The Model Y mirrors this: Standard RWD: QAR 184,990–194,990 (~$50,800–53,500 USD) Long Range AWD: QAR 204,990–214,990 (~$56,400–59,100 USD) Performance AWD: QAR 229,990–239,990 (~$63,200–65,900 USD) The Model S starts at QAR 391,190 ($107,400 USD) and climbs to QAR 431,490 ($118,400 USD) for the Plaid variant. The Model X ranges from QAR 407,290–447,390 (~$111,800–122,800 USD), depending on configuration. While Supercharging coverage is still developing, Tesla service is already active in Doha, with mobile support expanding to nearby areas like Al Khor and Ras Abu Aboud. Tesla in the Gulf: What This Means Going Forward With operations now active in the UAE (since 2017), Qatar (2023), and Saudi Arabia (2025), Tesla has completed its expansion into the Gulf's three key economies. Each launch aligned with local conditions, policy support in the UAE, rising consumer demand in Qatar, and Saudi Arabia's broader shift toward clean energy and industry. Across the region, Tesla now offers a broad lineup, primarily the Model 3 and Model Y in all three markets, with the higher-end Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck available in select countries like the UAE and Qatar. What began as a limited rollout has evolved into a tailored, multi-market presence that reflects the region's growing appetite for premium electric vehicles. Tesla prices in the Gulf vary by country, trim, battery size, and drivetrain (RWD or AWD). Listed prices usually exclude VAT, registration, insurance, delivery, optional accessories, software upgrades (like Enhanced Autopilot ), and home charging equipment. For accurate, up-to-date on-road pricing and configurations, visit Tesla's official regional website or consult local showrooms directly. FAQs: Q. Can I buy a Tesla in the Gulf region? Yes, Tesla is officially available in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, with showrooms and delivery options active. 2. What Tesla models are offered in these countries? You can buy the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck, with different trims depending on the country. 3. How much do Tesla cars cost in the Gulf? Prices start around $45,000 (Model 3) and can go over $120,000 (Model X or S Plaid), depending on specs and features. 4. Where can I charge my Tesla in the region? Tesla Superchargers are available in major cities, especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and home charging is also supported. Q. Is Tesla service available locally after purchase? Yes, Tesla offers service centers, mobile service units, and support through its app in all three countries.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Elon Musk's Tesla on trial after car on autopilot kills woman as she's stargazing
Lawyers for the plaintiff argue the autopilot should have warned the driver and braked when his Model S blew through flashing red lights, a stop sign, and a T-intersection at nearly 70 miles an hour A rare trial against Elon Musk's car company has begun over the death of a university student after a runaway Tesla sent her flying 75 feet through the air. Lawyers for the plaintiff argue that the EV maker's driver-assistance feature, Autopilot, should have warned the driver and braked when his Model S blew through flashing red lights, a stop sign, and a T-intersection at nearly 70 miles an hour in the April 2019 crash. Tesla lays the blame solely on the driver, who was reaching for a dropped mobile phone. 'The evidence clearly shows that this crash had nothing to do with Tesla's Autopilot technology,' Tesla said in a statement. 'Instead, like so many unfortunate accidents since cellphones were invented, this was caused by a distracted driver.' The driver, George McGee, was sued separately by the plaintiffs. That case was settled. Now, a jury trial case is being heard in Florida over whether Musk's car company is liable. A judgment against Tesla could be especially damaging as the company works to convince the public its self-driving technology is safe during a planned rollout of hundreds of thousands of Tesla robotaxis on US roads by the end of next year. A jury trial is rare for the company, whose suits over crashes are often dismissed or settled, and this one is rarer yet because a judge recently ruled that the family of Naibel Benavides Leon can argue for punitive damages. The judge, Beth Bloom of the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, issued a partial summary judgment last month, throwing out charges of defective manufacturing and negligent misrepresentation against Tesla. But she also ruled that plaintiffs could argue other claims that would make the company liable and ask for punitive damages, which could prove costly. 'A reasonable jury could find that Tesla acted in reckless disregard of human life for the sake of developing their product and maximising profit,' Bloom said in a filing. The 2021 lawsuit alleges the driver relied on Autopilot to reduce speed or come to a stop when it detected objects in its way, including a parked SUV that Benavides and her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, had gotten out of near Key West, Florida, to look up at the sky. The Tesla rammed the Tahoe at high speed, causing it to rotate and slam into Benavides, tossing her into a wooded area and killing her. In legal documents, Tesla denied nearly all of the lawsuit's allegations and said it expects drivers to follow vehicle warnings and instructions in the owner's manual and comply with laws. Tesla's manuals warn owners that its cars cannot drive themselves and that they must always be ready to intervene. Plaintiff lawyers argue that Tesla should have geofenced its Autopilot so it only worked on the big roads it was designed for, and drivers couldn't use it on smaller roads, such as the rural one where Benavides was killed. They also say data and video evidence show the Autopilot did detect the Tahoe but then failed to warn the driver, as they claim it should have done. Tesla has since improved its driver-assistance and partial self-driving features, but still faces lawsuits and investigations over what critics say is a gap between its exaggerated depictions of how well they work and what they can actually do. Government auto safety regulators recalled 2.3 million Teslas in 2023 because Autopilot failed to sufficiently alert drivers if they weren't paying attention to the road. They then investigated the company last year for saying it fixed the problem, though it was unclear if it actually did. Musk has also continued to make public comments suggesting Tesla's 'Full Self-Driving' technology, a more advanced version of Autopilot, allows cars to drive themselves despite regulators' warnings not to. They say it could lead to overreliance on the systems, crashes and deaths. That technology has been involved in three fatal crashes and is under investigation of its ability to see in low-visibility conditions such as sunlight glare or fog. Tesla is promising a much more robust self-driving technology to power its robotaxis with no one behind the wheel. A taxi test run in Austin, Texas, appears to have gone mostly well, though there were scattered problems, such as when one cab went down the opposing lane.
India.com
2 days ago
- Automotive
- India.com
Tesla launched in India! but Elon Musk wasn't founder of company, it was started by…, how worlds richest man became owner of Tesla?
Global EV giant Tesla officially made its entry in India on Tuesday with the launch of its first experience centre at the Maker Maxity Commercial Complex, in Bandra Kurla Complex experience centre was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the presence of other dignitaries. Tesla has made its India debut at a time when it is facing reduced sales in Europe and China. When the dream of Tesla was born, electric cars were still considered futuristic concepts. Today, however, Tesla has revolutionized the automobile industry with the help of energy, artificial intelligence, and even space technology. Tesla is now seen as one of the world's most innovative companies. Who Founded Tesla? The name 'Tesla' immediately brings the image of Elon Musk in everyone's mind. In fact, Musk is now almost a synonym with the brand. But surprisingly, he wasn't the founder of Tesla. He entered the company as an investor. Whenever the world talks about electric vehicles (EVs), Tesla comes in tops the list. But Elon Musk didn't start this company but two engineers did. Tesla began on July 1, 2003, when engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning co-founded Tesla Motors. Their goal was to create an electric car that wouldn't harm the environment the way petrol or diesel vehicles do. Being engineers, they were very much passionate about technology. At the time, their vision of EVs was considered highly impractical. But the duo stayed committed to their idea and named the company in honor of the great inventor Nikola Tesla, who discovered alternating current (AC). From the beginning, Tesla wanted to build emission-free, fast, and stylish electric vehicles. Musk's Entry In Tesla The story took a major turn in 2004 with the entry of Elon Musk. By then, Musk had already made a name for himself as the founder of SpaceX and PayPal. In Tesla's Series A funding round, Musk invested $6.5 million and became the Chairman. Gradually, Musk took over responsibilities related to product design, vision, and marketing. In 2008, when Tesla was on the brink of bankruptcy, Musk emerged as its savior by taking over as CEO. Though initially just an investor, Musk became Tesla's CEO and later even acquired the title of co-founder. Eberhard had filed a defamation lawsuit against Musk, but in 2009, the verdict went in Musk's favor. Tesla's First Car In 2008, Tesla launched its first car, the Roadster. It was a high-performance sports car that was fully electric. It could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds and offered a 320 km range on a single charge. The Roadster broke the myth that electric cars had to be slow or boring as it was fast, and powerful. In fact, Musk even launched his own Roadster into space aboard a SpaceX rocket in 2018. That car is still orbiting the Earth today. Tesla's Journey Musk later created a strategy for Tesla called S3XY, which included the following models: Model S: A luxury sedan. Model 3: Launched in 2017 as Tesla's first 'affordable' car, opening the doors for middle-class consumers. Model X: Launched in 2015, a family SUV with falcon-wing doors and high-tech interiors. Model Y: A compact SUV.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Landmark Tesla trial after ‘autopilot car runs red light & kills stargazing woman sending her flying 75ft through air'
A LANDMARK trial against Tesla has begun after one of the company's self-driving cars killed a woman as she was stargazing with her boyfriend. Naibel Benavides, a university student, was sent flying 75ft through the air after she was hit by a Tesla that allegedly ran through a red light and a stop sign in Florida. 4 Naibel Benavides and her boyfriend Dillon Angulo who was involved in a Tesla car crash in 2019 Credit: NBC 4 Naibel Benavides (R), a university student, was sent flying 22m through the air after she was hit by a Tesla Credit: NBC 4 The trial began Monday in Miami, with a jury to decide if Elon Musk's company is partly to blame for the death of Naibel Credit: Getty Naibel's boyfriend was left seriously injured in the 2019 incident, while her body was found in a wooded area following the harrowing smash. The trial began Monday in Miami, with a jury to decide if Elon Musk's company is partly to blame for Naibel's death. Lawyers argue that Tesla's driver-assistance feature - Autopilot - should have warned the driver and braked before the tragic crash. The Model S blew through flashing red lights as well as a a stop sign and a T-intersection at nearly a staggering 70 miles an hour in the April 2019 crash, it's alleged. read more news Tesla lays the blame solely on the driver, who was reaching for a dropped mobile phone at the time. George McGee, who was behind the wheel, was sued separately by the plaintiffs before reaching a settlement with the victims' families. Tesla said in a statement: "The evidence clearly shows that this crash had nothing to do with Teslas Autopilot technology. "Instead, like so many unfortunate accidents since cellphones were invented, this was caused by a distracted driver." Most read in The US Sun Musk's company has continuously worked to convince the public its self-driving technology is safe during a planned rollout of hundreds of thousands of Tesla robotaxis on US roads by the end of next year. A jury trial is rare for the company - with past suits over crashes being often dismissed or settled. Heartstopping moment self-driving car smashes into van parked in driveway as driver is slapped with a ticket And what's more, this case could be the rarest one yet as a judge recently ruled that the family of the stricken Naibel can argue for punitive damages. The 2021 lawsuit alleges the driver relied on Autopilot to reduce speed or come to a stop when it detected objects in its way. This included a parked Chevrolet Tahoe that Naibel and her boyfriend had gotten out of near Key West, to look up at the sky. The Tesla rammed the couple's car at highway speeds, causing it to rotate and slam into Naibel, throwing her into a wooded area and tragically killing her. In legal documents, Tesla denied nearly all of the lawsuits allegations and said it expects that consumers will follow warnings in the vehicle and instructions in the owners manual, as well as comply with driving laws. Tesla warns owners in manuals that its cars cannot drive themselves and they need to be ready to intervene at all times. Lawyers argue that Tesla should have a geofence on Autopilot so it could only work on the big roads it was designed for rather than smaller ones. They also say data and video evidence shows the Autopilot did detect the couple's car but then failed to warn the driver as they claim it should have done. Tesla has since improved its driver-assistance and partial self-driving features , but still faces lawsuits and investigations over what critics say is a gap between its depictions of how well they work and the actual reality of what they can do. In 2023, federal auto safety regulators recalled 2.3 million Teslas for problems with Autopilot failing to sufficiently alert drivers if they weren't paying attention to the road. They then put Tesla under investigation last year for saying it fixed the problem - though it was unclear it actually did that. Musk has also continued to suggest that Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology allows cars to drive themselves - despite warnings from regulators not to do so as it could lead to over-reliance on the systems, crashes and deaths. The technology has been involved in three fatal crashes and is under investigation of its ability to see in low-visibility conditions such as sunlight glare or fog. 4 Lawyers argue that Tesla should have a geofence on Autopilot so it could only work on the big roads it was designed for rather than smaller ones Credit: AFP
