Tesla's Labor Struggle in Europe: A Deep Dive into the Ongoing Conflict

Mechanics in Sweden are on strike and it is spreading

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The Tesla Model Y has been Sweden's bestselling vehicle for months as that country continues to embrace electric cars fully. However, the love affair with the biggest EV maker in the world has gone sour.

Tesla is currently embroiled in a labor dispute that has expanded across Scandinavia and is stirring significant attention in the international community. This situation presents a complex interplay between union demands, corporate policies, and cultural differences in labor practices.

Origins of the Dispute: Swedish Mechanics Take a Stand

The conflict originated in Sweden with a strike by about 120 mechanics and members of the IF Metall union. Tesla's engagement in collective bargaining is central to their demands – a standard labor practice in Scandinavia, which Tesla has so far resisted. The mechanics are not seeking higher pay but insist on Tesla honoring the principle of collective bargaining, highlighting an ideological clash between U.S. corporate culture and Scandinavian labor norms.

Escalation and Regional Solidarity

The labor action swiftly gained momentum, with various Swedish sectors expressing solidarity. The conflict reached Denmark, where the largest trade union announced a sympathy strike, further complicating Tesla's logistical operations in the region. The Danish union's decision to halt shipments of Tesla cars to Sweden exemplifies the strong regional support for collective bargaining rights and worker solidarity.

Tesla's Reaction: Legal Actions and Public Statements

Tesla has responded to the strike with legal actions, filing lawsuits against the Swedish Transport Agency and the postal service. Elon Musk has publicly criticized the strike and the involvement of postal workers, which he termed “insane.” This response indicates a broader resistance from Tesla towards unionization and collective bargaining, consistent with Musk's known stance against unions.

It wasn’t long ago that it appeared that the new next-generation, $25,000 vehicle would be produced in Europe at Giga Berlin. However, perhaps due to the ongoing dispute, Musk has stated that the high-production vehicle will be made in North America, as originally planned.

A Crossroads for Tesla and European Labor

The dispute's expansion into Denmark and potential spread to Norway and Germany indicates a growing resistance against Tesla's labor policies. This situation places Tesla at a crossroads: adapt to the European model of labor relations or continue its current approach, potentially risking market stability and brand reputation in Europe. The outcome of this conflict could have far-reaching implications for Tesla’s global operations and the dynamic between multinational corporations and labor unions.

Tesla’s Challenges Ahead

Tesla's refusal to sign collective bargaining agreements is rooted in its corporate philosophy and Musk's vision of a flexible, innovative workforce. This stance, however, clashes with the Scandinavian model of labor relations, which emphasizes collaboration between employers and unions. The standoff has brought Tesla's labor policies into the spotlight and poses a significant challenge to its operations and reputation in Europe, which has embraced EVs.

As Tesla navigates this challenging situation, the company must weigh its corporate philosophy against the entrenched labor practices of its regions. The resolution of this dispute will impact Tesla's future in Europe and set a precedent for international labor relations and the balance of power between global corporations and local labor practices.

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Tesla Is Now Offering Cybertruck Test Drives [List of Locations]

@brandonhd

Tesla has begun to reach out to customers in the United States and is offering demo drives of the Cybertruck on an invite-only basis. @brandonhd on X shared the first invite image, and it looks like it's going out quite quickly to multiple locations that have Cybertrucks on display.

Up until now, display vehicles have been for just that – looking, but no touching. Some Tesla delivery centers and showrooms have also allowed viewers to take a seat inside and open it up, but most are still locked away behind the velvet rope.

It’s exciting to see that Tesla has begun to demo them – and it can only be so long until demo drives open up to everyone.

Advisor-led Demo

This Demo Drive is led by a Tesla Advisor – while you’re driving, the advisor will be in the passenger seat, walking you through the experience. They’ll explain steer-by-wire, off-road controls, and will introduce new-to-Tesla buyers to all the features that are currently available.

Once FSD V12.5 comes to the Cybertruck, we’re sure they’ll be demoing its capabilities FSD capabilities as well.

Locations

The list of locations so far for demo drives appears to be fairly limited, but we will hopefully see demo drives roll out throughout the United States, and eventually Canada too. Here is the current list of city/state locations that have seen demo drive invites.

• Manhasset, New York

• West Covina, California

• Los Angeles, California

• Houston, Texas

• Orlando, Florida

• Westmont, Illinois

• Tucson, Arizona

• Phoenix, Arizona

• Delaware

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Musk Confirms 'Actually Smart Summon' is Coming in a Revision of FSD V12.5

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Actually Smart Summon, the successor to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, has been confirmed to be coming as soon as next month as per Elon Musk. Colloquially known as “ASS”, Actually Smart Summon is supposed to improve on the regular Smart Summon capabilities, which have historically used ultrasonic sensors (USS) to navigate parking lots.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon, and we’re quite excited about what other features will be unlocked once it finally shows up at our doorstep.

Vision-based Improvements

ASS is supposed to bring Smart Summon to vehicles that don’t have USS – using Tesla Vision. Most recently, Tesla has brought Autopark to vehicles without USS, and Vision-based Autopark has been a huge success. It is faster, more reliable, and smoother than the older USS-based solution. It can also park and maneuver in tighter locations.

Just recently, Tesla returned the Model X’s self-presenting doors, using Tesla Vision. Vision has seen some fantastic improvements, and many people are waiting for ASS to bring forth these improvements to Smart Summon.

Smart Summon Today

Today, Smart Summon is sometimes useful at best, usually a party trick, or downright dangerous at worst. It’s excellent and best used in straight lines, where you have a clear line of sight of the vehicle, and can stop it if doesn’t see an obstacle.

I used Smart Summon today, just before writing this article – my 2022 Model Y (with USS) – did manage to show up just fine – in a straight-line location from where I was parked, after exiting the parking spot fairly cleanly. However, I’ve previously used Smart Summon and have had the vehicle turn towards obstacles, such as cart returns or curbs. Overall, it’s a sometimes-useful feature that has a lot of drawbacks right now.

Smart Summon is also restricted to a certain distance – and it's pretty small. The max distance is shorter than most parking lots, being only about 215 ft (65m). If you’re lucky enough to park close, it's very useful to bring your car right to you.

Actually Smart Summon

ASS will bring FSD V12-like capabilities to Smart Summon – the vehicle will primarily use Vision to drive toward you (or the location you’ve indicated). ASS has been supposed to be coming since about September 2022 and has seen many delays – we’re almost at the 2-year point today.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon being able to bring the vehicle – safely – right to you. ASS is also one of the key steps towards bringing some other cool features that Elon Musk has previously mentioned – Park Seek and Banish Autopark.

We’re also hopeful that Actually Smart Summon will increase the maximum range a vehicle can be summoned, because the current range is fairly small. Alongside Park Seek and Banish Autopark, we’re closing in on a Robotaxi-based future.

Park Seek and Banish Autopark

When the FSD v12.4 showed up, Elon also mentioned that going forward, vehicles would automatically park themselves when arriving in a parking lot – Park Seek – and that if you got out of the car at the entrance to a business, you could get it to automatically park itself in the parking lot – Banish Autopark. These are two features that are needed for Robotaxi to work – which itself is delayed to October 10^th of this year. We’re looking quite forward to them – as in combination with Actually Smart Summon, Tesla has reached the cusp of vehicle autonomy.

A vehicle that arrives, driverless, at the location you’re at, then drives somewhere, parks itself there, and waits for you – is the definition of a Robotaxi.

While we’re likely to have to wait for Banish Autopark and Park Seek just a bit longer, Actually Smart Summon being around the corner is exciting! Gone will be the days of having to run out to your car when you forgot your umbrella – your car will just come right to you instead.

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