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  • 🔌 December 26: Toyota’s Paradox, BYD’s Brazillian Scandal, Nissan-Honda’s Merger Doubts

🔌 December 26: Toyota’s Paradox, BYD’s Brazillian Scandal, Nissan-Honda’s Merger Doubts

The Gist

🚙 Hyundai’s EVs are plugging into Tesla’s Supercharger game with free adapters, while 🎮 Tesla’s CyberCab swaps the wheel for a gaming controller—good luck on real roads.

 đź“‰ Toyota juggles production dips with sales booms, and 🌍 BYD halts its Brazilian plant amid worker scandals.

🤖 Waymo cruises ahead in the robotaxi race, 💔 VinFast whistleblowers warn about wheels literally falling off, and 🛠️ Stellantis racks up another emissions fine.

Finally, 🤝 Nissan and Honda discuss a merger critics are already calling a mess.

Fuel for Thought

🚙 Hyundai’s EV Adapters: Supercharging Connections

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A Charge Toward Accessibility

Hyundai announced plans to distribute free CCS-to-NACS adapters for EV owners in early 2025. This move opens Tesla’s vast Supercharger network to Hyundai drivers, signaling a significant shift toward industry-wide charging standardization.

Who’s Eligible?

Owners of 2024 and earlier Kona Electric, Ioniq hatchbacks, and other models can request adapters through Hyundai's portal. Meanwhile, 2025 Ioniq 5 models will feature a native NACS port, eliminating the need for adapters altogether.

Sister Brands in the Game

Kia, Hyundai’s sibling company, will also offer adapters, highlighting a united strategy to boost convenience for EV customers while leveling the playing field with Tesla’s charging dominance.

🎮 Tesla’s Game Controller Gambit

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Tesla’s CyberCab has ditched the wheel and pedals in favor of an Xbox-like controller. Gamers rejoice; traditionalists… maybe not so much.

Is this a prank? Who drives with a gaming controller?

Apparently, Tesla thinks the answer is everyone. While the CyberCab controller makes for cool museum demos, using it for public roads might feel like piloting an RC car on steroids.

What’s next—robotaxis with VR goggles?

Not far off! Tesla envisions remote fleet operators for troubleshooting, but real-world execution remains hazy, much like their FSD timelines.

Can we actually buy this, or is it all hype?

Not yet. Between regulation barriers and operational challenges, Tesla’s dreams of joystick-controlled cars are still in beta—just like FSD software.

📉 Toyota’s Off Balance: Sales Up, Production Down

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Toyota’s sales surge despite declining production highlights its adaptability amid supply chain chaos and shifting market demands.

  • Production Challenges

    • Global production fell 6.2% in November 2024, with the U.S. hit hardest (-11.8%) due to airbag supply issues.

    • Semiconductor shortages persist, forcing Toyota to prioritize high-demand models.

  • Sales Strategies:

    • Demand in the U.S. and China drove a second consecutive month of sales growth.

    • Aggressive incentives helped clear vehicle backlogs without ramping up production.

  • Future Moves:

    • New EV manufacturing plants in Shanghai are planned to tackle EV competition head-on.

    • Toyota is betting on quality over quantity, focusing on electrified models to meet stricter regulations.

🌍 BYD’s Brazilian Labor Crisis

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🚨 Scandal in Salvador: BYD halted EV plant construction in Brazil after authorities found Chinese workers living in “slavery-like” conditions. Workers faced inadequate housing, long hours, and exploitative contracts.

BYD’s Damage Control

The company severed ties with the contractor responsible and pledged compliance with Brazilian labor laws. Workers were relocated to hotels, with contracts terminated as BYD works with local authorities to investigate.

🔮 What’s Next?

This controversy could tarnish BYD’s reputation, despite its dominance in Brazil’s EV market. The incident underscores the challenges of rapid international expansion without strict oversight.

🤖 Waymo Leads the Robotaxi Race

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Alphabet’s Waymo has emerged as the leader in the U.S. robotaxi market, making significant strides despite setbacks for competitors like GM’s Cruise.

Major Milestones:

  • Over 4 million paid autonomous trips completed—triple last year’s numbers.

  • Expanded to Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, covering 500+ square miles.

Strategic Growth:

  • Plans to launch in Austin, Atlanta, and Miami by 2026.

  • International testing begins in Tokyo with Japan’s Nihon Kotsu taxi operator.

Technological Innovations:

  • Next-gen vehicles with reduced cameras and lidar sensors.

  • Partnerships with Hyundai to integrate Ioniq 5 EVs into its fleet.

đź’” VinFast Whistleblower Raises Safety Concerns

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A former engineer alleges that VinFast’s vehicles suffer from structural flaws that could cause, adding another layer to the company’s troubled history.

Wait, the wheels might fall off?!

Yes, literally. Hazar Denli claimed VinFast’s suspension components wore out during testing, leading to potential loss of control. Safety concerns like these are the last thing the automaker needs.

What’s VinFast doing about it?

Firing whistleblowers, apparently. Denli says he was terminated after raising alarms, and the company has faced scrutiny over quality and labor practices before.

Should I trust their cars?

Not if you value wheels staying attached. With multiple investigations underway, VinFast has a long road ahead to rebuild trust.

🛠️ Nissan-Honda Merger: Everybody’s a Critic

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🤝 Big News, Bigger Stakes:
Nissan and Honda are in talks for a potential $54 billion merger, aiming to create the world’s third-largest automaker. The move seeks to pool resources for EV development, but critics, including Carlos Ghosn, are skeptical.

🤷‍♂️ What Could Go Wrong?:
Ghosn dismissed the merger as “panic mode” for Nissan, citing redundancies between the two companies. Nissan’s ongoing struggles could make it a weak partner for Honda, raising doubts about long-term success.

đź”® A Risky Road Ahead:
While the merger could boost economies of scale, cultural and operational integration remains a massive challenge. Both companies must prove they can align visions without imploding.

🔧 Stellantis Settles Emissions Probe—Again

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Another Day, Another Fine

Stellantis’ FCA US unit agreed to pay $4.2 million to settle California’s investigation into emissions violations. This follows a string of penalties for emissions tampering across its brands.

🌍 Environmental Impact

The violations included releasing 55 tons of excess nitrogen oxides into the air via unapproved devices. Stellantis will fund air quality and wildlife projects as part of the settlement.

Moving Forward

With ongoing scrutiny, Stellantis must rebuild trust by adhering to stricter environmental standards. Recalls and compliance improvements are steps in the right direction, but the brand has a long way to go.

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