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Kara Carlson

@karacarlson.bsky.social
1.5K followers 1.2K following 86 posts

heat dome resident austin-based EV reporter @bloomberg.com prev: biz/tech reporter for the austin american-statesman 📧:kcarlson72@bloomberg.net signal: kcarl.07 🐦: @karacarlson2 🧵: kara_carlson2 www.bloomberg.com/authors/AW1MPTNjb…

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Reposted by Kara Carlson
Dana Hull @danahull.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
NHTSA will start developing new requirements to ensure drivers and passengers can safely exit their vehicles, a significant move to address issues exposed by deadly incidents in which people have become trapped inside cars. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
US to Begin Work on New Car Door Safety Rules After Deaths in Teslas
US auto safety regulators will start developing new requirements to ensure drivers and passengers can safely exit their vehicles, a significant move to address issues exposed by sometimes deadly incid...
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Reposted by Kara Carlson
Anne Cronin @annecronin.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
FREE LINK > Tesla Cybertruck sales have been so weak that it's challenging Ford's Edsel to become the biggest automotive flop of all time. Great tale by Bethany Benjamin > www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
bloomberg.com
Tesla’s Cratering Cybertruck Sales Evoke Ford Edsel Comparisons
Both automakers expected consumers to buy hundreds of thousands of their futuristic models per year. Tesla’s pickup is missing the mark by a wider margin.
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
As robotaxis enter more cities, the messier aspects of serving humans are becoming harder to ignore, as passengers fall asleep, spill drinks or food, vomit, experience medical emergencies, and, in at least two instances, give birth With @natalielung.com www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
bloomberg.com
Robotaxi Riders Are Falling Asleep, Sparking Frantic 911 Calls
Passengers are also spilling food, getting sick and, in at least two instances, giving birth in self-driving vehicles.
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
🫠
A screenshot of a weather app shows Austin's weather. Temperature of 98f, with a real feel of 118
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Weeks after launching Telsa's long-promised automated ride-hailing service to initial riders Elon Musk predicted it could expand to half the population of the US that year Almost a year later, Tesla's robotaxis have risen to just several dozen in three Texas cities www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
bloomberg.com
Tesla’s Robotaxi Falls Short With Long Waits and Stalled Rides
The carmaker has just 59 vehicles in its fleet and is limited to three Texas cities, nowhere close to Elon Musk’s big promises.
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Reposted by Kara Carlson
Anne Cronin @annecronin.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
FREE LINK for this great Tesla reality check by @karacarlson.bsky.social -- the EV maker has just has just 59 vehicles in its entire robotaxi fleet www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
bloomberg.com
Tesla’s Robotaxi Falls Short With Long Waits, Stalled Rides
The carmaker has just 59 vehicles in its fleet and is limited to three Texas cities, nowhere close to Elon Musk’s big promises.
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
What is it about SXSW that keeps making people drive in the very few clearly marked bike lanes Austin has?
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Tesla's longtime design chief Franz von Holzhausen said the company is looking to redesign its door handles to combine the electronic and manual release mechanisms, a change he said would make exiting more intuitive for occupants in “a panic situation.” www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Tesla Is Redesigning Door Handles That Drew Safety Scrutiny
Tesla Inc. is working on a redesign of its door handles, which have drawn scrutiny over safety incidents that trapped passengers inside their vehicles.
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Reposted by Kara Carlson
David Ingram @davidingram.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
NEW FROM ME: I wrote about the many, many Tesla drivers who complain that their FSD software fails them at rail crossings. There are dozens of complaints online from drivers, including many videos. Here's our investigation: www.nbcnews.com/tech/elon-mu...
nbcnews.com
Tesla's 'self-driving' software fails at train crossings, some car owners warn
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told NBC News that it had spoken to Tesla about mishaps at train crossings.
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
This morning, US auto safety regulators opened an investigation into some Tesla vehicle doors, following incidents where exterior handles stopped working, leaving trapped children inside www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Trapped Inside: Tesla’s Dangerous Doors
When Teslas lose power, crashes can turn into deadly races against time.
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
Do you know how to get out if your Tesla loses power? Depending on the model, locating a manual door release can include removing speaker covers, pocket liners or carpet First responders and occupants have been flummoxed by the designs in crucial moments www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
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Reposted by Kara Carlson
Dana Hull @danahull.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
NEW: “It’s the most horrible thing, to see a human burning,” Max Walsh said in a recent interview recounting the December 2023 crash. “If I was able to open the doors, I could have gotten them both out before the fire department even got there.” www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
bloomberg.com
Trapped Inside: Tesla’s Dangerous Doors
When Teslas lose power, crashes can turn into deadly races against time.
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Reposted by Kara Carlson
Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Are you in the market for an electric vehicle? I'm an EV reporter at Bloomberg and I'm interested in hearing what you're thinking as you shop Are tax credits a factor? Switching between brands? Holding off for a future model? Reach me here, ✉️kcarlson72@bloomberg.net or let me know how to reach you
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
Tesla is aiming to bring its driverless taxis to California and now also Arizona as the carmaker plots an expansion on the heels of last month’s limited rollout in Austin www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
I've been driving all over the greater Austin-area all week so naturally it was a ten-minute drive that seems to have led to this
Nail in car tire
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Reposted by Kara Carlson
Anne Cronin @annecronin.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
An early birthday present for Elon Musk: Tesla made its first autonomous delivery from the factory to a customer’s home. @karacarlson.bsky.social has the details > www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Elon Musk Says First Tesla Drove Itself From Factory to Customer
Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said a Tesla Model Y SUV drove itself from the company’s factory near Austin to a customer’s home in the company’s latest move to showcase its push into au...
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Reposted by Kara Carlson
Max Chafkin @chafkin.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
New Elon Inc, coving the big(?) robotaxi launch(?) and “oh yeah X has an advertising business” with @karacarlson.bsky.social and @kurtwagner.bsky.social www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Robotaxi’s Underwhelming Texas Rollout
In this week’s episode of Elon, Inc., we discuss how Musk’s attempt to catch up to Waymo may earn him some traffic tickets.
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Tesla kicked off its first robotaxis rides on a few square miles of south and southeast streets after almost a decade of hype from Elon Musk, kicking off a precarious new era for the carmaker www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Tesla to Roll Out Robotaxis in Overdue Step Toward Musk Dream
Tesla Inc. rolled out its long-awaited robotaxi service to a handful of users following almost a decade of hype from Elon Musk, kicking off a precarious new era for the carmaker.
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Tesla’s robotaxis are expected to launch at a moment when the billionaire and his cars have never been more polarizing. The service is now expected to start June 22 in a few square miles of Austin www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
A map shows roads including a Riverside, S Lamar, S 1st, S Congress and Oltorf in Austin included in Tesla's robotaxi launch area
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Reposted by Kara Carlson
Sean O’Kane @okane.fyi · 08/04/2025
SCOOP: Jeff Bezos funded a secretive EV startup called Slate Auto based in Michigan, and I've got all the details. It's working on a low-cost EV pickup truck and has attracted investment from the owner of the LA Dodgers. The result of a year-long investigation. techcrunch.com/2025/04/08/i...
techcrunch.com
Exclusive: Inside the EV startup secretly backed by Jeff Bezos | TechCrunch
Jeff Bezos is funding a secretive EV startup based in Michigan called Slate Auto that could start production as soon as next year, according to multiple
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Elon Musk has long mentioned wanting to build an "ecological paradise" on Tesla's Austin property A report to Travis County this week has given a clearer picture of the plans including a Tesla-themed playground, sports courts, a boardwalk and expo area www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Elon Musk to Expand His Texas Empire With Sprawling Austin Park
Elon Musk’s influence is vast in Texas, the state both he and his companies call home. He’s funding schools and wading into politics, buying up homes and even trying to incorporate a city.
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Reposted by Kara Carlson
dell cameron @dell.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
NEW: No fewer than 10 principle scientists at NIH investigating emerging infectious diseases and neural disorders were among those fired by RFK Jr. today. One is an esteemed scientist awarded for breakthrough research into the causes of Parkinson's disease. By me and @emilymullin.bsky.social:
wired.com
Doctor Behind Award-Winning Parkinson’s Research Among Scientists Purged From NIH
Leading scientists at the National Institutes of Health, the US’s leading medical research agency, were swept up Tuesday in the Trump administration's latest firing blitz.
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Scenes from Austin's Tesla Takedown today as backlash continues against Elon Musk Organizers estimated about 225-250 people attended The decentralized movement aims for today, March 29, to be the biggest day of action yet, with a goal to have same-day protests at 500 locations worldwide
Protesters with signs gather on March 29 at Tesla Takedown protest a north Austin Tesla showroomA protestor at a Tesla Takedown protest in a black shirt that says What the FuskProtesters with signs gather on March 29 at Tesla Takedown protest a north Austin Tesla showroomProtesters with signs gather on March 29 at Tesla Takedown protest a north Austin Tesla showroom as a group of motorcyclist drive by
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Last night, Tesla CEO Elon Musk encouraged employees to hang onto their stock and spoke about his view for a bright future for the company, despite rising backlash and against Musk and as Tesla sales are off to a slow start of the year www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Musk Tells Tesla Employees Hang On to Stock After 50% Plunge
Elon Musk sought to reassure Tesla Inc. employees through what he referred to as “a little bit of stormy weather,” after the carmaker’s shares plunged more than 50% in just three months.
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Brand reputation experts say Tesla outcry and reputation issues are unlikely to slow down anytime soon as Tesla vehicles, charging stations and showrooms become political symbols Still Elon Musk continues to paint a bright future for the company www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
At least two vans are among many Rivian vehicles at SXSW this year; an Olive & June manicure van and a Ben & Jerry's ice cream van (ice cream truck?) It comes about a month after the EV maker broadened sales of the vans to customers beyond Amazon. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
A Rivian van with the words Cute Nails Yall and Olive & June on itA man stands in front of a Rivian Ben & Jerry's truck. He is next to a cardboard cutout of a Rivian mascot holding an ice cream cone
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Are any AV/EV folks on here in town for SXSW? 🚗🤠 Let me know! I'm an Austin-based EV reporter for Bloomberg
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
first day of sxsw and even the robots are sporting cowboy hats
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Elon Musk’s recent polarizing actions and comments are leading some consumers to vote with their wallets, deciding against buying Teslas or even selling their current vehicles at a loss www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
bloomberg.com
Tesla Feels the Wrath of Anti-Elon Musk Backlash
Sales are plunging in some of the world’s biggest EV markets, and protesters and vandals are targeting the company’s stores.
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Lucid is searching for a new chief executive officer after it said its current leader, Peter Rawlinson, has stepped down. COO Marc Winterhoff was named as interim CEO. The change comes as Lucid works to scale production of its new Gravity SUV www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
EV Maker Lucid to Seek New CEO After Rawlinson Steps Aside
Lucid Group Inc. will begin a search for a new leader after Chief Executive Officer Peter Rawlinson stepped aside to serve as an advisor to the electric-vehicle maker.
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
If you're at a #TeslaTakeover event this weekend, I'd be interested in hearing more about what you're experiencing and what brought you out Reach me: Email: kcarlson72@bloomberg.net Signal: kcarl.07 Or DM the best way to reach you
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Scene's from Austin's #TeslaTakeover. Similar gatherings are expected at nearly 50 Tesla showrooms around the US this weekend In Austin,attendees told me they are concerned about Elon Musk/DOGE and want to discourage potential customers from supporting Tesla products and adding to Musk’s wealth.
A group of people with anti-Musk signs protest outside of an Austin showroomA group of people with signs that have sentiments against Tesla and Elon Musk gathered outside a Tesla showrooms in an Austin mallTwo people with signs protecting Elon Musk and Tesla stand outside a Tesla showrooms A group of people with signs that have sentiments against Tesla and Elon Musk gathered outside a Tesla showrooms in an Austin mall
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Are you in the market for an electric vehicle? I'm an EV reporter at Bloomberg and I'm interested in hearing what you're thinking as you shop Are tax credits a factor? Switching between brands? Holding off for a future model? Reach me here, ✉️kcarlson72@bloomberg.net or let me know how to reach you
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Reposted by Kara Carlson
Bloomberg News @bloomberg.com · 05/02/2025
The White House said Elon Musk will determine if there are conflicts of interest between his work reviewing federal spending and his overlapping empire of six companies
bloomberg.com
White House Says Musk Will Police His Own Conflicts of Interest
The White House said Elon Musk, the billionaire leading President Donald Trump’s government cost-cutting efforts, will determine if there are conflicts of interest between his work reviewing federal s...
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Tesla reported its fourth quarter earnings tonight with a very upbeat Elon Musk who was focused on a future with driverless cars, humanoid robots and AI www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Tesla Fourth-Quarter Profit Misses Wall Street’s Estimates
Tesla Inc. revealed plans to begin robotaxi operations and forecast a sales recovery this year, fueling what Elon Musk predicted would be an “epic” period of growth for the electric vehicle maker.
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Kurt Wagner @kurtwagner.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
New and BIG: Gov't officials in China are discussing contingency plans in case TikTok is banned in the US. One idea being floated: Selling TikTok to Elon Musk www.bloomberg.com/news/article... (gift link)
bloomberg.com
China Discusses Sale of TikTok US to Musk as One Possible Option
Chinese officials are evaluating a potential option that involves Elon Musk acquiring the US operations of TikTok if the company fails to fend off a controversial ban on the short-video app, according...
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Outside Corpus Christi, an area so dry the local water company distributes shower timers at high school football games, Tesla is nearly done building a lithium refinery that could require as much as 8 million gallons of water per day and still lacks a water contract www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Musk’s Massive Tesla Lithium Plant Hunts for Water in Drought-Hit Texas
A lithium factory in a dry Gulf Coast county epitomizes the EV maker’s build now, ask later ethos.
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
As Tesla hopes to roll out its autonomous vehicle tech on Texas roads as early as next year, emails with the city of Austin show the EV maker is weighing whether Austin could be the first Texas city it would deploy "driverless fleets." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Tesla Sounds Out Austin Officials About Long-Promised Driverless Fleets
Tesla Inc. is in early discussions with the city of Austin about its autonomous vehicle technology it hopes to roll out on Texas roads as early as next year.
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
today's forecast apparently calls for being cooked
A malfunctioning weather app shows the current temperature in Austin to be 117 degrees and rising over the course of the day to 171
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
Are any potential EV buyers considering speeding up their purchase timeline to make sure they can get EV tax credits? I'd be interested in hearing from you. You can reach me here, or my email kcarlson72@bloomberg.net
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Bloomberg News @bloomberg.com · 14/11/2024
Shares of US automakers fell after Reuters reported President-elect Donald Trump plans to eliminate the $7,500 consumer tax credit for electric-vehicle purchases
bloomberg.com
Rivian, Tesla Slide on Report Trump Plans to Nix EV Tax Credit
Shares of US automakers fell after Reuters reported President-elect Donald Trump plans to eliminate the $7,500 consumer tax credit for electric-vehicle purchases.
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Reposted by Kara Carlson
Kurt Wagner @kurtwagner.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
The Bloomberg crew is here
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 22/10/2024
came across this peanuts comic a few days ago and it's been haunting me since
An October 1953 Peanuts comic depicts Charlie Brown in a Snoopy mask scaring snoopy followed by Snoopy in a Charlie Brown mask scaring Charlie Brown
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 02/05/2024
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Tesla Interns Say Offers Are Getting Revoked Weeks Before Their Start Date
Musk’s rampant job cuts are hitting even the lowest on the corporate ladder.
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 11/03/2024
forever thankful daylight savings seems to always fall in the middle of sxsw when I haven't known what day or time it is in days anyway
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Reposted by Kara Carlson
Techmeme @techmeme.com · 06/03/2024
Waymo begins testing its driverless ride-hailing service without a safety operator in Austin starting March 6, initially offering the service to Waymo employees (Kara Carlson/Austin American-Statesman) Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
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Somewhere In ATX @somewhereinatx.bsky.social · 05/03/2024
Travis County Polls are open 7am-7pm! Wait Times: elections.traviscountytx.gov/current-elec...
Map of wait times at Travis County Polling Locations
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 22/02/2024
oh ok
A screenshot shows Austin's weather as 87 degrees and sunny
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Kara Carlson @karacarlson.bsky.social · 14/02/2024
for no explainable reason for like a month now, a solid 10% of my brain has been solely dedicated to the zoboomafoo theme song
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