NHTSA investigates Tesla Model 3 over concerns mechanical door release is “not readily accessible or easily identifiable”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Wednesday it is investigating the emergency exit controls on 179,071 model year 2022 Tesla Model 3 vehicles after receiving a defect petition alleging the vehicles’ “mechanical door release is hidden, unlabeled, and not intuitive to locate during an emergency.”

The investigation is separate from a probe the agency announced this fall into instances of electronic door handles on 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles becoming inoperable from the outside.

The action follows a series of reporting from Bloomberg examining the role of Tesla’s door designs in accident fatalities. Tesla has previously said it is working on redesigns to its door handles.

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Jon Keegan23h

FCC bans new Chinese drones and components from DJI and Autel Robotics

Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) banned new drones and critical components from the market-leading Chinese drone manufacturer DJI, and smaller firm Autel Robotics, calling the foreign made drones “an unacceptable national security risk.”

The ban covers all drones and related components from any foreign manufacturer. DJI dominates the worldwide (nonmilitary) drone market, with a market share greater than 90%, according to some estimates.

In addition to hobbyists, the quadcopter-style drones made by DJI are used heavily by a wide variety of businesses including agriculture, infrastructure inspection, real estate, and also by first responders. Blocking foreign drones leaves many critical industries without a viable US-made alternative, as the industry has struggled to develop new supply chains that don’t come from China and match the quality of DJI’s hardware and software.

Shares of Florida-based drone builder Unusual Machines are up over 8% in early trading. Donald Trump Jr. is an investor and advisor to the company.

DJI has said its drones do not present a security risk, and welcome a national security review, noting that their drones can be used without an internet connection, and all data is saved locally.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr said:

“I welcome this Executive Branch national security determination, and I am pleased that the FCC has now added foreign drones and related components, which pose an unacceptable national security risk, to the FCC’s Covered List. Following President Trump’s leadership, the FCC will work closely with U.S. drone makers to unleash American drone dominance.”

U.S. Bans New China-Made Drones, Sparking Outrage Among Pilots

Shares of Florida-based drone builder Unusual Machines are up over 8% in early trading. Donald Trump Jr. is an investor and advisor to the company.

DJI has said its drones do not present a security risk, and welcome a national security review, noting that their drones can be used without an internet connection, and all data is saved locally.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr said:

“I welcome this Executive Branch national security determination, and I am pleased that the FCC has now added foreign drones and related components, which pose an unacceptable national security risk, to the FCC’s Covered List. Following President Trump’s leadership, the FCC will work closely with U.S. drone makers to unleash American drone dominance.”

Rani Molla12/23/25

Tesla’s EU sales fell nearly 40% in the first 11 months of 2025

From January through November this year, Tesla sales fell 39% to 129,000 in the European Union compared with the first 11 months of 2024, according to new data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, known as ACEA. In that same time, sales of Chinese competitor BYD grew 240% to 110,000. BYD first outsold Tesla there this spring, but Tesla is still outpacing BYD for the year.

Overall, sales of battery electric vehicles in the EU rose 28%.

Tesla has struggled throughout this year in Europe, its third-biggest market — something CEO Elon Musk has blamed on Europe’s lack of regulatory approval for its Full Self-Driving tech, though the decline likely has more to do with competition from China.

Jon Keegan12/22/25

Pentagon adds xAI’s Grok to its AI platform

Grok is going to war.

Today the Pentagon announced that xAI’s controversial Grok chatbot will be added to GenAI.mil, the Department of Defense’s “bespoke AI platform.”

Launched earlier this month, GenAI.mil joins Google’s Gemini on the platform, which the Pentagon says will usher in an “AI-driven culture change” at the agency.

Federal workers have had access to Grok since the White House ordered the chatbot added to the GSA’s approved AI vendor list in August.

xAI has had some embarrassing episodes as it scrambles to monetize Grok, after spending billions on its Colossus data centers. Just this summer, several examples emerged of Grok responding to user queries with antisemitic tropes, and even praising Hitler.

The War Department to Expand AI Arsenal on GenAI.mil With xAI

Launched earlier this month, GenAI.mil joins Google’s Gemini on the platform, which the Pentagon says will usher in an “AI-driven culture change” at the agency.

Federal workers have had access to Grok since the White House ordered the chatbot added to the GSA’s approved AI vendor list in August.

Jon Keegan12/22/25

Alphabet acquires data center company Intersect for $4.75 billion

Google parent Alphabet announced a deal to acquire data center and energy infrastructure builder Intersect. Alphabet already held a minority stake and a partnership with the company. The acquisition is for $4.75 billion in cash.

According to Alphabet CEO, Sundar Pichai: “Intersect will help us expand capacity, operate more nimbly in building new power generation in lockstep with new data center load, and reimagine energy solutions to drive US innovation and leadership. We look forward to welcoming Sheldon and the Intersect team.”

The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026.

Alphabet Announces Agreement to Acquire Intersect to Advance U.S. Energy Innovation

Alphabet Is ‘Most Valuable Company’ on AI Strength, Moffett Says

Rani Molla12/22/25

Tesla might get to a 1,000 Robotaxis in the Bay Area this year after all

Tesla has registered 1,655 ride-hailing vehicles in California, up from just 28 when it launched the service in August, according to California Public Utilities Commission data cited by Business Insider. That growth suggests Tesla — which currently has about 130 Robotaxis operating with a driver using Full Self-Driving in the Bay Area — could realistically hit CEO Elon Musk’s target of 1,000 vehicles in the region by the end of the year.

Registered vehicles aren’t the same as an active fleet, but the increase signals that Tesla is gearing up for significant expansion.

Google’s Waymo remains in the lead, with nearly 2,000 driverless vehicles registered across its two California markets, including more than 1,000 operating in the Bay Area and 700 in Los Angeles.

It’s less clear whether Tesla can meet Musk’s other goals, including deploying 500 Robotaxis in Austin, where just 32 vehicles are currently operating, or removing safety monitors by year’s end. Only two of those Austin vehicles are currently testing without drivers.

Tesla has registered more than 1,000 new vehicles for its 'Robotaxi' fleet in California in just a few months

Registered vehicles aren’t the same as an active fleet, but the increase signals that Tesla is gearing up for significant expansion.

Google’s Waymo remains in the lead, with nearly 2,000 driverless vehicles registered across its two California markets, including more than 1,000 operating in the Bay Area and 700 in Los Angeles.

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