| If you have trouble reading this message, view it in a browser.  This week Genesis releases its EV strategy, Lotus confirms a slate of EVs, Audi unveils another luxurious concept, and Rivian sets an aggressive IPO target. But first:  That headline could've been written almost a dozen times by now, but this past week's crash is notable for coming after NHTSA finally opened an investigation looking into these repeated incidents. Thankfully no one in this latest episode—where the Tesla Model 3 was reportedly being driven in Autopilot mode when it struck a police car that had stopped to aid a disable Mercedes-Benz SUV—was injured, but that hasn't been the case in previous incidents. NHTSA has since set a deadline for the automaker to turn over any data it has related to these Autopilot incidents to the administration. NHTSA is asking for extensive information about every crash that a Tesla equipped with Autopilot has been involved in, and for details about Autopilot's operating parameters.  Tesla must send Autopilot data to the Feds by October 22. This most recent crash also comes a little over a week after two US Senators wrote a letter to the Federal Trade Commission to ask it to investigate Tesla's marketing practices with regards to its Full Self-Driving system, a separate feature from the Autopilot mode at the heart of NHTSA's investigation—and which Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed on Twitter will see a new version released to beta-testing Tesla owners at midnight on Friday, September 10.  Genesis will introduce only new electric models starting in 2025. Genesis will introduce only new electric models starting in 2025, planning to phase out internal combustion vehicles by 2030. The brand will also develop hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, echoing parent company Hyundai's plans for fuel cell drivetrain tech. Genesis plans a lineup of eight models, with the recently revealed GV60 electric crossover due first. Non-electric Genesis models will remain in production for a few years after 2025, so there will still be some gas-engined models buyers will be able to take home from the dealership, with the brand aiming to become entirely zero-emission by 2030. That's when production of the remaining gas-engined models is expected to end. By that time, Genesis aims to achieve sales of 400,000 units per year.    Lotus Cars says its future EV lineup will include a sports car, a coupe-sedan, and two SUVs, following soon after the Evija EV hypercar. Group Lotus Design will now be headed by Peter Horbury, who is currently design chief at Geely, Lotus's owner.  Audi has unveiled the dramatically-styled Grandsphere concept, which showcases the brand's future design direction. It also features a lounge-like interior features a retractable steering column and a massive infotainment setup that is projected onto a flat dashboard.   Spread the word: If you know someone interested in staying on top of the rapidly growing EV segment, feel free to pass this newsletter along.
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Saturday, September 4, 2021
Not deja vu: A Tesla hits a parked police car.
Top-up, down or off? It's all on Hemmings!
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