TechCrunch Mobility: Inside the Rivian skunkworks program, and Trump’s gift to Tesla

TechCrunch Mobility provides updates on the transportation sector, highlighting recent developments involving Elon Musk, including a focus on his connections to the Department of Government Efficiency and the impact of Trump's tariffs on car imports, which could benefit Tesla. Additionally, Trevor Milton, founder of Nikola, has been pardoned by Trump. The newsletter also mentions Lucid's potential partnerships to enhance autonomy in their vehicles and TechCrunch's acquisition by Regent, with Yahoo Holdings retaining a small ownership stake.

The article also covers various funding rounds and deals in the transportation and tech sectors, such as BetterFleet's $15 million Series A, The Bot Company's $150 million raise, and Fleetio's $450 million funding. Notable developments include Waymo's planned robotaxi service in Washington, D.C., BYD's EV-charging breakthrough, and Rivian's spin-out of its micromobility startup, Also. In-car tech updates include Waze removing Google Assistant from iOS, with plans for a new voice interaction solution.

Key takeaways

Elon Musk's close ally, Trump, has placed 25% tariffs on all cars imported to the United States, which could benefit Tesla.
Lucid is exploring partnerships to enhance autonomy in its vehicles, particularly with the new Gravity SUV.
TechCrunch was acquired by private investment firm Regent, with Yahoo Holdings retaining a small share of ownership.
Waymo plans to offer robotaxi rides in Washington, D.C., by 2026, but must navigate regulatory challenges requiring a human driver.

TechCrunch Mobility: Inside the Rivian skunkworks program, and Trump’s gift to Tesla | TechCrunch

Key takeaways

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