Yazılar

Tesla’s Sales Rise in Parts of Europe but Pressure Mounts From Rivals

/in /tarafından

Tesla recorded a modest rebound in several European markets in September, buoyed by sales of its updated Model Y, but analysts warn the U.S. automaker faces mounting challenges from both European and Chinese competitors amid an ageing product lineup.

According to local industry data released Wednesday, Tesla’s sales rose in France, Denmark, Norway, and Spain, with the Model Y emerging as Denmark’s best-selling vehicle. However, new car registrations fell in Sweden and the Netherlands—the latter marking its ninth consecutive monthly decline.

Despite recent gains, Tesla’s broader European performance remains weak. Between January and August, Tesla’s sales fell 42.9% year-on-year in the European Union and 32.6% across Europe overall, even as the region’s total EV sales jumped 24.8%.

Matthias Schmidt of Schmidt Automotive Research described the September uptick as “a bottoming out of the downward trend rather than any real signs of an expected uplift.” He said an affordable Model Y variant, expected in 2026, could help, but Tesla’s prospects remain “tough in a more competitive market environment.”

Once dominant in Europe, Tesla now faces an influx of new EVs from Volkswagen, BMW, Renault, and Chinese players like BYD, which outsold Tesla in the EU in August for the second time this year.

The automaker’s reputation has also been affected by political backlash against CEO Elon Musk, whose support for Donald Trump’s re-election campaign and European far-right parties has alienated some consumers.

Andy Palmer, chairman of Electric Vehicles UK, said Tesla is still “a big fish, but the pond is now full of serious competitors.” Unless it refreshes its range soon, he warned, “it will keep losing market share.”

Performance varied sharply across Europe in September:

  • France: +2.74% year-on-year

  • Denmark: +20.5%, with the Model Y leading sales

  • Norway: +14.7%, with Model Y and Model 3 ranking top two

  • Spain: +3.4%, boosted by a 60% surge in Model Y registrations

  • Sweden: –64% year-on-year, though higher than August levels

  • Netherlands: –48%

Analyst Andy Leyland of SC Insights said Tesla’s biggest challenge lies ahead: “Chinese automakers are rapidly building distribution networks in Germany, the UK, and France. It will be critical to see whether Tesla can still compete.”

Nissan tests Wayve-powered assisted driving system for Japan launch in 2027

/in /tarafından

Nissan Motor announced on Monday that it has begun testing a new driver-assistance system developed in partnership with UK startup Wayve, with a commercial launch in Japan planned for the 2027 financial year.

The system was recently demonstrated in Tokyo using Nissan Ariya electric vehicles, which showcased advanced collision avoidance features tailored for busy urban environments. Unlike highways, city driving poses unique challenges due to pedestrians, parked cars, and delivery traffic.

The prototype vehicles are equipped with a powerful sensor suite:

  • 11 cameras

  • 5 radars

  • 1 lidar sensor

This setup enables Level 2 autonomous driving, meaning the system can handle steering, acceleration, and braking, but requires drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and be ready to intervene.

Wayve, backed by SoftBank and Nvidia, specializes in AI-driven self-learning systems for autonomous driving and recently opened a testing and development centre in Japan.

Nissan has been gradually advancing its driver-assist technology since launching ProPilot in 2016, followed by an upgraded version in 2019 that focused on highway driving. The new collaboration with Wayve represents Nissan’s push to bring advanced autonomy into complex urban environments.

Xiaomi issues software update for 115,000 SU7 sedans over assisted driving risks

/in /tarafından

China’s Xiaomi will roll out a software update affecting more than 115,000 SU7 electric sedans to fix potential safety issues linked to its assisted driving system, according to a recall notice from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). The fix, delivered via over-the-air (OTA) update, marks the second time the model has been subject to recall protocols since its launch last year.

Regulators said the SU7’s Level 2 highway pilot system may not provide adequate early warnings or perform properly in extreme scenarios. The issue affects 116,887 standard SU7s manufactured between February 2024 and August 2025. Xiaomi confirmed the OTA update would be pushed out starting Friday.

China requires regulatory approval for OTA updates tied to autonomous driving, to ensure automakers cannot conceal defects or evade liability. The move comes as Beijing finalizes new safety rules for Level 2 automation, set to take effect in 2027. The draft standards were prompted in part by a fatal March accident involving a SU7 that caught fire after hitting a highway pole, just seconds after the driver disengaged the assistance system.

Level 2 automation allows the car to handle steering, acceleration, and braking, but still requires drivers to maintain constant attention. Analysts say China’s stricter oversight reflects both the growing popularity of advanced driver-assistance systems and heightened public concerns about road safety.