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I have spent a decade covering Tesla and chief executive Elon MuskSo it would be natural to weigh here for the public phenomenon of billionaire President Donald Trump. Many other journalists, armchair analysts, influence and bloggers have already done so. Some of them are smart, while some of them lose the sign – with miles.
Since I have the advantage of institutional knowledge and a good Helluva memory, let me offer some brief reminders and predictions. We were here before-Musk has a long, well-documented story to create seemingly powerful alliances and then burning it all down.
As the senior journalist Tim de Chant noted, Elon gets an introduction to politics. The problem here is that Musk also embraces the danger and the heavy – which means that learning something is not equivalent to his changing behavior.
Expect a rolling rolling roll of test peace followed by public explosions. Rinsing. Repeat.
The consequences of this promise to be wide and will probably touch all the different Musk companies. I will watch how Tesla EV’s sales numbers and how the “big, beautiful account” will really affect the automotive business if transferred to the law.
In the short term, I will focus on Tesla’s great experiment in Austin, Texas and how Musk’s complex and increasingly toxic relationship with Trump’s administration affects his relationships with The Section. Prior to its public dismantling with Trump, Musk has pressed legislators on legislation related to autonomous vehicles – specifically over a bill introduced on May 15th called Act of Autonomous acceleration of vehicles.
A little bird
Always Rivia launch AlsoA microtonch start that has also received support from Eclipse Ventures, we have pushed around to find out more. Some little birds have come into contact and have helped us better understand how the Skunkworks program turned into a standalone company. They also revealed a stunning detail: Jony Ive Lovefrom’s creative company worked with the Rivian design team and staff under the Skunkworks program. Senior journalist Sean O’Kane and I have the full scoop here.
Do you have a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosec to kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or my signal at kkorosec.07, Sean O’Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com, or rebecca bellan at rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com. Or check These instructions To learn how to contact us through encrypted messages or secure applications.
Offers!
The memorandums of understanding rarely draw my attention. But he did.
Aircraft and the Saudi Arabic Club Abdul Latif Jameel A memorandum of agreement was signed to investigate a distribution agreement for up to 200 electric aircraft. The temporary deal is remarkable because Abdul Latif Jameel is already an investor of Joby.
If finalized, the partnership could offer Joby a quick path to generating revenue from electric vertical take -off and landing vehicles in Saudi Arabia. Converting an investor to a customer can also complicate the relationship (just ask Amazon and Rivian.)
Other agreements worth noting…
InflatableA California -based start -up with California -based cameras to eliminate unsafe driving behavior, raised $ 22 million in a Bain Capital Ventures funding. Nobio plans to use these funds to expand beyond the first five cities where it operates today in Maryland.
PortlessFulfillment of e -commerce and supply start, set $ 18 million In a round of funding led by Commerce Ventures, with the participation of Egateway Capital, Ground Up Ventures and FJ Labs. Portless uses a shein -like business model and charges the duties of brands after an item he sells, helping to postpone the cost of invoices.
VolumeAn AI voice starting that applies its tools to car dealerships raised $ 17 million in a seed and a series of Rounds led by the A16Z. Y Combinator (Toma was in the YC January 2024 team), the Angel of Scale Fund and the Yossi Levi automotive influenced, also known as the car dealership, supported the start.
What Uber’s Executive Redirection tells us
Recent executive redirect in combination with comments from Managing Director Dara Khosrowshahi Don’t just imply the company’s strategy. No, this is like a neon flashing sign and the word “autonomy” is in the center.
Earlier this week, Uber announced that she had appointed Andrew “Mac” MacDonald as President and CEO. The company also announced the departure of Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, who ran Uber’s delivery operation.
Gore-Coty’s responsibilities will be placed on MacDonald, who has been with the company since 2012 and recently led mobility and business activities. Another Tidbit worth mentioning: Started Uber Toronto’s business 13 years ago and pioneered his autonomous strategy.
The new role of MAC will combine mobility, tradition and autonomy.
At a Bloomberg Conference, Hostelum asked about AVS. He talked about building the AV ecosystem and Uber’s Stakes in companies (Aurora and Waabi) by developing autonomous vehicle technology.
“We want to substantially support the AV ecosystem and continue to help grow the ecosystem and then penetrate the market,” he said. “AVS, we believe, represent a safer way of transporting. Finally, we believe it will expand the market as it makes some safe transport cities available to everyone.”
In other Uber news, the company has added a new type of account with a simpler UI for the elderly.
Notable reading and other tidbits
Autonomous vehicles
Tesla Required trademark applications for the term “Tesla Robotaxi” after the company’s previous efforts to secure trademarks for scheduled self-guiding vehicles that hit the barricades.
Electric vehicles, batteries and charging
I lost this story By Axios journalist Katie Fehrenbacher and wanted to mention it here. Last year, Redwood materials quietly left the Section (Doe) The loan had received conditional approval for. To date, Redwood has never received federal funding.
I arrived at Redwood to figure out why. Redwood initially applied for a DOE loan in 2021. The process also dragged at a significant cost for Redwood. The companies going through this process are responsible for the payment of third party advisers and experts hired for the VET of business and technology. By 2024, Redwood was still in the conditional vacuum. While waiting, the company increased more than $ 2 billion in private funding and created $ 200 million last year.
Eventually, Redwood found that the costs and limitations of this loan exceeded its value.
Future of flight
Walmart and alphabet Wing bring tradition to thousands of more customers. Wing, already operating since the 18 Walmart Supercentters in the Dallas-Forth Worth area, is setting up a store in five other US cities through corporate relationship. Overall, more than 100 stores will be added to Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando and Tampa.
People
Trevor MiltonThe recently forgiven founder of NikosHe fought a summons by the creditors of the electric truck company. Milton is due to almost $ 100 million before being filed for bankruptcy in February, which followed a arbitration case with the company in 2023 associated with his lost criminal conviction.
