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Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk sparked global controversy this week, calling for the resignation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the aftermath of a deadly attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. Musk’s statements, made on his platform X, criticized Scholz as an "incompetent fool" and questioned the leadership of Europe’s largest economy. The attack, which involved a car ramming into a crowd, left at least two dead and dozens injured, according to German officials. Musk’s remarks immediately drew both condemnation and applause, underscoring his increasingly polarizing role in international politics.

Adding fuel to the fire, Musk also voiced support for Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. “Only the AfD can save Germany,” Musk declared on X. The AfD, a nationalist party with anti-immigration policies, has surged in German opinion polls but remains shunned by mainstream parties. Germany is set to hold elections on February 23 following the collapse of Scholz’s coalition government, and Musk’s endorsement has sparked heated debate about foreign influence in domestic politics. While the German government acknowledged Musk’s statements, it declined to offer further comment.

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Tesla initiated preliminary discussions with Austin, Texas officials regarding its autonomous vehicle technology program, marking a potential milestone in the company's ambitious robotaxi development plans. The electric vehicle manufacturer's representatives have engaged with the city's autonomous vehicle task force to establish safety protocols and operational parameters for their future self-driving fleet. These discussions, which began in May, demonstrate Tesla's strategic approach to implementing their autonomous driving vision in a jurisdiction known for its relatively permissive regulatory environment.

The announcement of Xmail development plans introduces both opportunities and security challenges, requiring careful attention to user protection while cybercriminals exploit public interest through increasingly sophisticated AI-powered attacks.

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Trump team wants to scrap car-crash reporting rule that Tesla opposes.

Subscribe to the Elon Musk Podcast Youtube - https://youtube.com/@theelonmuskpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Listen to the Full Podcast - https://link.chtbl.com/elonmuskpodcast FOLLOW STAGE ZERO PODCASTS ON SOCIAL Space News Pod on Twitter - https://twitter.com/spacenewspod STAGE ZERO Podcasts on Patreon - https://patreon.com/stagezero ABOUT The Elon Musk Podcast The Elon Musk Podcast takes an in-depth look into the world of the visionary entrepreneur. From SpaceX's mission to colonize Mars, to the revolutionary underground transportation network of the Boring Company, to the cutting-edge technology of Neuralink, and the game-changing innovations of Tesla, we cover it all. Stay up to date with the latest news, events and highlights from the companies led by Elon Musk. ABOUT STAGE ZERO STAGE ZERO is the YouTube home for all things Elon Musk and the STAGE ZERO Podcast Network. STAGE ZERO features over 10 years of SpaceX, Tesla, Twitter news as well as exclusive videos from podcasts like The Elon Musk Podcast. Affiliate Links - #ad SHURE SM7B Mic - https://geni.us/shure-sm7b-microphone

ABOUT The Elon Musk Podcast The Elon Musk Podcast takes an in-depth look into the world of the visionary entrepreneur. From SpaceX's mission to colonize Mars, to the revolutionary underground transportation network of the Boring Company, to the cutting-edge technology of Neuralink, and the game-changing innovations of Tesla, we cover it all. Stay up to date with the latest news, events and highlights from the companies led by Elon Musk. ABOUT STAGE ZERO STAGE ZERO is the YouTube home for all things Elon Musk and the STAGE ZERO Podcast Network. STAGE ZERO features over 10 years of SpaceX, Tesla, Twitter news as well as exclusive videos from podcasts like The Elon Musk Podcast. Affiliate Links - #ad SHURE SM7B Mic - https://geni.us/shure-sm7b-microphone

General Motors announced Tuesday a fundamental restructuring of its autonomous vehicle strategy, abandoning its robotaxi ambitions to concentrate on developing self-driving technology for personal vehicles. This strategic pivot marks the end of GM's high-profile bet on Cruise LLC, its majority-owned subsidiary that aimed to revolutionize urban transportation through driverless taxis.

The decision sends ripples through the automotive industry as GM, America's largest automaker, moves to consolidate its autonomous driving efforts under a unified structure. The company plans to merge Cruise's technical teams with GM's existing autonomous vehicle division, creating a single focused unit dedicated to advancing driver assistance systems and autonomous capabilities for consumer vehicles.

Mary Barra, GM's chair and chief executive officer, framed the decision within the company's broader strategic vision. "GM is committed to delivering the best driving experiences to our customers in a disciplined and capital efficient manner," Barra stated, emphasizing the company's determination to maintain its position in the evolving automotive landscape while managing resources more effectively.

The financial implications of this strategic shift are substantial, with GM projecting annual savings exceeding $1 billion once the restructuring concludes in the first half of 2025. This cost reduction comes at a crucial time for the automotive giant, which has invested heavily in autonomous technology development over the past decade.

Cruise employees learned of the dramatic shift during a hastily arranged all-hands meeting Tuesday afternoon, where senior leadership, including CEO Marc Whitten, delivered the news. The announcement left many workers surprised and uncertain about their future roles, particularly those in non-engineering positions related to robotaxi operations.

Tesla is reportedly gearing up to launch a new affordable vehicle, tentatively referred to as the 'Model Q,' in the first half of 2025. Deutsche Bank analysts, following a recent meeting with Tesla's head of investor relations, Travis Axelrod, disclosed the vehicle's projected price—less than $30,000 when including subsidies. Without U.S. EV tax credits, the price could rise to $37,499. Analyst Edison Yu characterized this move as part of Tesla's strategy to expand its total addressable market (TAM), with the Model Q joining a lineup potentially augmented by other innovations such as a longer-wheelbase Model Y variant for China.

The announcement aligns with Tesla's long-term goals of broadening its appeal by diversifying its lineup and targeting underserved market segments. The Model Q would be smaller and lighter than the current Model 3—by approximately 15% and 30%, respectively. Analysts speculate it will serve as an entry-level model with streamlined features to keep costs down while maintaining Tesla's reputation for cutting-edge technology.

China's Role in Tesla's Growth Strategy

In addition to the Model Q, Tesla appears poised to target the Chinese market with a new variation of its Model Y. Rumors suggest this vehicle will feature a three-row configuration and a longer wheelbase, aiming to appeal to families and compete with domestic automakers like BYD. While Tesla China has declined to confirm specifics, the move could address growing competition in a market where affordability and versatility drive consumer preferences.

This potential Model Y variant reflects Tesla's strategy of tailoring its offerings to regional needs. By focusing on China—a crucial EV market—Tesla could enhance its competitiveness while reinforcing its global growth objectives. According to Deutsche Bank, this diversification in product design could be instrumental in boosting Tesla's production and delivery numbers in the coming years.