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Tesla’s sales in France dropped by 63 percent

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In 2024, Tesla sold 1.7 million vehicles worldwide (1.1% less than in 2023), and the beginning of 2025 shows that the same trend will continue. According to sales results for January, Tesla is losing in all markets, and the biggest drop was recorded in France of 63%.

Demand for electric vehicles in Europe last year was in decline, especially after the abolition of subsidies, and buyers are increasingly opting for hybrids. However, some data shows that the electric vehicle market is slowly recovering.

Tesla’s sales decline came as the German electric vehicle market grew by more than 50 percent year-on-year in January, knocking its market share from 14% to just 4%. In France, Tesla sales fell by 63 percent in January, while in Norway 38 percent fewer Tesla vehicles were sold. In the UK, sales fell by 8 percent compared to a year earlier.

What is the biggest reason for Tesla’s poor performance? Some believe Musk’s support for the AfD party is one reason. Last month, Musk hosted Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD, on his social media platform for a 75-minute debate in which she falsely claimed that Adolf Hitler was a socialist. The AfD is also a party that calls for mass deportations of migrants and uses Nazi slogans in its campaign, and has been classified as right-wing extremist by Germany’s intelligence agency.

This choice of sides and interference in the German elections, which will be held on February 23, has been criticized by both Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Christian Democrat leader Friedrich Merz.

Automotive analyst Matthias Schmidt attributed Tesla’s decline in the German market to consumers waiting for the upgraded Model Y, which is scheduled for the first half of 2025. An entrepreneur from the state of Baden-Württemberg said he received 2,000 orders in one weekend, with customers saying: “I bought this before Elon went crazy.”

Source: Reuters

News

Maextro S800 demonstrated “Crab walk”

In November 2024, the Chinese company Maextro unveiled one of the most expensive Chinese cars ever, the Maextro S800. It features a “Crab walk” feature that allows the rear wheels to turn 16 degrees in the same direction as the front wheels, ultimately allowing the car to move sideways.

A video released by JAC and Huawei shows the S800 using the “Crab walk” feature to maneuver around seven Mercedes-Maybach S-Classes parked in a tight formation. The S800 maneuvers around them with the ease of a walk in the park, demonstrating the potential of the technology in real-world driving situations.

The rear-wheel steering feature is particularly useful for a car the size of the S800. The car can make sharper turns and park in spaces that would be “mission impossible” for a car with conventional steering.

The Maextro S800 is powered by three electric motors with a total power of 864 hp, and customers can also choose an extended-range version with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine.

It is 5,480 mm long, 2,000 mm wide and 1,536 mm high, with a wheelbase of 3,370 mm. The rounded design of the front grille is different from the design of most luxury sedans. There are also two LED light strips, as well as daytime running lights surrounded by a smaller light source, which creates a unique effect. The same element adorns the rear lights, as well as unique door handles.

The interior is equipped with a starry sky, two separate rear seats, and three screens on the dashboard. The thick B-pillar probably contributes to the safety and structural integrity of the vehicle.

When it comes to price, the S800 costs between 124,320 and 186,510 euros, making it one of the most expensive cars made in China.

Source: Huawei

News

Hundreds of Jaguars ended up in a scrapyard

In August 2024, Jaguar recalled 2,760 vehicles due to a high risk of thermal overload from the high-voltage battery, which could lead to a fire. The 2019 Jaguar I-Pace has already been recalled four times since May 2023 due to the same issue, and now someone on Threads posted a photo showing a large number of Jaguars, no older than 6 years, in a scrapyard.

Following the recall, Jaguar advised dealers to update the software to reduce the maximum battery charge to 80 percent while the company’s engineers worked to find a cure for the problem. Owners were also advised to park and charge their vehicles outside until a fix was implemented. However, the problem was never fixed.

Three Jaguar I-Paces caught fire in the US after the software update, but fortunately no one was injured. This negatively affected the brand’s position in the market, so the company decided to buy back all affected cars. The cars in the photo have just been purchased from their owners and are ready to be dismantled.

All of the affected vehicles are equipped with lithium-ion battery cells manufactured by LG Chem. The company has received negative attention after fires involving examples of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV.

Source: Threads