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Consumer Reports has released its latest rankings comparing the active driving assistance systems (ADAS) of EV automakers like Ford, GM, Rivian, and of course Tesla. The independent, non-profit consumer organization tested 12 different ADA systems broken down into five distinct categories in which it determined that Ford’s BlueCruise technology is the current industry leader, usurping General Motors’ Super Cruise. Tesla’s Autopilot, on the other hand, has tumbled off the podium into mediocrity.

The CR rankings released this morning are comprised of months of vehicle testing from Ford, Hyundai Motor Group, Tesla, and even our friends over at Toyota. As you’ll see below, not all ADAS are created equal.

At it’s core, the technology is a bolstered form of adaptive cruise control (ACC), that combines computer control of a vehicle’s brakes and acceleration with lane centering assistance (LCA) that also helps keep the vehicle a preset distance away from others in your lane.

No matter what flavor Kool-Aid you choose to drink, full self-driving technology still feels perpetually two years away (ask Elon Musk). In the meantime, however, some automakers on the list below have developed some truly impressive technology as the bridge between fully-attentive driving and not doing anything at all.

This sort of collaborative driving style may not be yet like an episode of The Jetsons, but it is still a marvel to experience in person and is becoming more and more common in passenger vehicles. According to CR’s data, ADA systems are already available on more than 50% of 2023 model-year vehicles – whether it’s an add-on or a standard feature.

Let’s start with the rankings and go from there to explain how Ford nabbed the top spot and Tesla fell to middle of the pack. Have a look.

Ford and GM top ADAS rankings, Tesla stumbles

Consumer Reports explained that to determine this list, it put each of the 12 ADAS through laps around its own track in Connecticut, plus a 50-mile loop on public roads throughout late 2022. Per the report:

Each system was rated for its performance in 40 separate tests, such as steering the car, controlling the speed, and keeping the driver safe and engaged with the act of driving. Additional features such as automatic lane changes or reacting for traffic lights were not evaluated in this test.

CR testers evaluated the way each of the 12 systems performed within five specific categories: capability and performance, keeping the driver engaged, ease of use, clear when safe to use, and unresponsive driver.

In the latest rankings, Ford’s BlueCruise ADAS claimed the top spot over the previous leader in GM’s Super Cruise while Tesla, whose Autopilot sat in second place in 2020, dropped all the way to seventh. Consumer Reports explained that Ford and GM are leading the current pack because their systems also utilize direct driver monitoring systems (DDMS). These additional systems require drivers to keep their eyes on the road while the ADAS is activated, using infrared cameras on the driver’s face to alert them if they stop paying attention to the road.

Most other systems on this list have not yet integrated DDMS and simply require occasional hand pressure on the steering wheel to at least give the impression that the driver is paying attention. We’ve seen Tesla drivers share creative but utterly dangerous loopholes in Autopilot’s steering wheel requirement, rigging their EV to be “hands free.” The American automaker has since integrated the detection of cheating devices, but its driver monitoring leaves much to be desired. At least according to Consumer Reports, who has criticized the technology for years.

The CR team pointed out that systems in both Tesla and Mercedes-Benz vehicles allowed highway driving for approximately 30 seconds before any audible warning was given to retake the wheel. The testing team stated that amount of time time equates to over half a mile of driving without hands on the wheel and without successfully ensuring the driver is even looking at the road.

The rankings display that Ford’s BlueCruise technology is newer and more technologically advanced than everyone else, including Tesla – whose Autopilot technology has seen added features, but has kept the same basic functionality since day one. CR’s senior director of auto testing Jake Fisher elaborated:

After all this time, Autopilot still doesn’t allow collaborative steering and doesn’t have an effective driver monitoring system. While other automakers have evolved their ACC and LCA systems, Tesla has simply fallen behind.

We were surprised to see Volvo ranked 11th out of 12, considering passenger safety is a huge selling point in its overall brand. The automaker has promised to deliver one of the safest EVs on the planet when its upcoming EX90 hits the market, so perhaps its ADAS will see some improvements as well. We already know it will have advanced driver monitoring and will be able to safely stop the vehicle should you become unconscious.

Ford, Tesla, and GM drivers, what do you think about these rankings?

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Halevai looks to further electrify the marine segment with its American-made long-range boat

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Halevai looks to further electrify the marine segment with its American-made long-range boat

Young electric boat maker Halevai is on the cusp of production of its flagship model, 2050, which promises some of the best range and power in a blossoming sustainable marine industry. This locally built recreational vessel was designed for safety and performance to provide customers with “the most technologically advanced on-board experience.”

Halevai is a concept boat manufacturer founded in 2020 that combines its expertise in engineering, design, and conservation to try and build the safest, renewable, and cost-efficient electric boats ever made.

For the last four years, Halevai has worked under the radar in research and development to achieve said goal, recruiting trusted partners in the industry, such as Hyper Craft, Mercury Marine, and Navico Group. By utilizing the powertrain and motor technology through scalable partnerships with those marine industry veterans, Halevai believes it can deliver an electric boat that offers the most power at the best price. Per its website:

The American marine landscape is vast and diverse. None of the work we are doing at Halevai is possible without the clear understanding that we must and we will protect the life support system of our planet. Whether we are in a mountain lake, an inlet, a bay or in the open ocean we are connected to the life force of this planet, our ocean. We have a responsibility to protect and communicate with each other and find new ways to boat more responsibly.

The culmination of this R&D is Halevai’s flagship vessel – the Model2050. This 24-foot recreational boat looks like an impressive start and will soon be available to customers looking to navigate waters without all those nasty carbon emissions.

Halevai Model2050 electric boat to begin production soon

Halevai recently launched the Model2050 as its first all-electric vessel available for sale. This 24-foot all-electric boat features a fiberglass-infused E-QXCFM 3515 hull, housing a 60 or 120-kWh marine-grade battery pack and room for ten passengers.

Combined with a Mercury Alpha 1 Gen 2 drivetrain creating 300 hp, Halevai’s Model2050 electric boat delivers a cruising speed of 25 mph and a top speed of 35+ mph, promising up to 50 nautical miles of range on a charge (standard pack). The vessel has a 6.6 kW onboard charger and an optional 30/40/50 amp charging station.

Other features include a customized 12-inch navigation screen, a high-power surround sound system, keyless startup, and three select drive modes.

Halevai recognizes that current boat-building practices need to be cleaner, circular, or sustainable but is committed to leading the movement. The Model2050 is equipped with 100% organic cork flooring, including its 26″ swim deck in the rear.

Halevai’s Model2050 electric boat will commence production this summer at its new White Bluff, Tennessee facility. 35 initial builds are slated for 2024, equating to one or two boats per week. The American-made vessels start at a base price of 185,000. Here’s a better look at the boat in action.

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Lamborghini revamps the luxury brand with a new look as its lineup shifts to electric

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Lamborghini revamps the luxury brand with a new look as its lineup shifts to electric

The iconic Lamborghini brand is getting a new look as the automaker prepares for an electric future. Lamborghini launched its new logo and corporate identity as part of its transformation.

It’s been over two decades since Lamborghini last updated its unmistakable logo. The black and gold bull, symbolic of Lambo’s power, performance, and agility (and the company’s founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini’s zodiac sign, Taurus), is getting a modern update.

Lamborghini’s new look is part of a broader transformation focused on “sustainability and decarbonization.” The performance brand will electrify its entire lineup by the end of 2024.

The overhaul is designed to better reflect the “brave,” “unexpected,” and “authentic” values of its new mission called “Driving Humans Beyond.”

According to Lambo, it aims to “create a solid pact with future generations,” serving as inspiration for sustainable progress.

The new look will be applied to future vehicles and the brand as a whole. Although very similar to the previous logo, you can see the Lamborghini name stands out with a “broader” typeface on the new version.

Lamborghini-new-look

For the first time, the iconic bull is designed individually from the shield, making it stand out even more.

It also features black and white as its primary colors, with yellow and gold used as accents. The new logo will be used on all future cars. Lambo said the redesigned logo marks “a new phase in the company’s positioning.”

Lamborghini’s new logo (Source: Lamborghini)

Shifting to an electric lineup

The refresh comes as Lamborghini plans to electrify its entire lineup by the end of the year. Under its “Direzione Cor Tauri” strategy, the brand will reduce emissions by 40% per car by 2030 with new electric models.

Lamborghini’s transformation started with the Revuelto plug-in hybrid last year. The brand will accelerate the shift in 2024 by launching the first hybrid Urus SUV and Huracan PHEV.

Lamborghini-new-look
Lamborghini Lanzador fully electric 2+2 concept (Source: Lamborghini)

This will lead to Lamborghini’s first fully electric vehicle, previewed by the Lanzador concept, due in 2028. Lambo is working on its first fully electric “Super SUV,” which is expected to launch in 2029.

Lamborghini shook the internet after revealing its first all-electric vehicle concept, the Lanzador, last August.

The high-riding 2+2 GT combines the versatility of a daily driver while preserving the performance of a Lambo. CEO Stephan Winkelmann said with the Lanzador, the brand is “looking into our future without forgetting our DNA.”

Lamborghini designed the interior to make you feel like you’re in a cockpit with bucket seats, a sports steering wheel, and dual digital screens.

What do you guys think of Lamborghini’s new look? Let us know in the comments.

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Tesla Cybertruck ramp is impressive, but it comes at a cost

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Tesla Cybertruck ramp is impressive, but it comes at a cost

Tesla appears to be making significant progress in its Cybertruck production ramp, but it is coming at a cost.

The automaker is about to finish its first full quarter of Cybertruck production, and it looks like it has made some great progress.

It has been hard to track Cybertruck production, and drone flyovers have been the primary way to track it.

A new drone flyover of Tesla Gigafactory Texas by Brad Sloan showed hundreds of Cybertrucks at multiple locations around the factory, including some being loaded on trucks for deliveries.

It looks like Tesla is getting closer to producing 1,000 Cybertrucks per week, which would be an impressive ramp for the first quarter of production.

But volume is one thing. Quality is another.

Tesla is having issues with its early Cybertruck units, which is not something completely unusual for a new vehicle program

Electrek has talked to two recent Cybertruck buyers who had complete vehicle failures in their first week of ownership. They both had the rear motor fail.

They were told by Tesla service that it is a fairly common problem that is creating a backlog in parts. The customers were told that it would be a few weeks before Tesla could perform the repairs.

Even the Cybertruck that MKBHD reviewed had a significant door gap defect, which CEO Elon Musk confirmed was a known issue:

Some Cybertruck owners have questioned the statement that it is an “easy fix” or at least that it will result in a quick experience at service centers as several Cybertruck owners report that their vehicles are in service for longer than in their garages.

Electrek’s Take

Now, I’m no hater. It is fairly normal for any vehicle program, from any automaker, to have issues early in the production process, but I think it’s also fair to say that Tesla, due to its nature, has more issues.

For better or worse, Tesla moves a lot faster than any other automaker. That’s a fact.

It enables it to bring vehicle programs to production faster and bring changes to its vehicles faster. For example, it doesn’t wait for new model years to bring improvements to its manufacturing systems.

However, it also means that things can fall between the cracks and things like we are seeing now with the Cybertruck happen.

There are pros and cons to everything.

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