Sun May 04 08:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Tesla News Roundup: Everest FSD Trip, Semi Production Ramps Up, and More

**Tesla Model 3 completes ambitious FSD journey to Everest Base Camp:** A Tesla Model 3 owner is making headlines for completing a nearly 2,500-mile journey from Henan Province, China, to Mount Everest Base Camp using Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta software. The journey, livestreamed on Chinese social media, showcased the capabilities – and limitations – of the autonomous driving system in challenging terrain and high altitudes. While previous Tesla journeys to Everest have been manually driven, this marks a significant test of FSD’s capabilities.

**Tesla Semi production accelerates:** Tesla is reportedly ramping up production of its all-electric Semi truck, with over 80 job openings posted and over 1,000 employees working at the Nevada factory. Videos showcasing the Semi’s impressive acceleration and unique sound are circulating online, generating significant buzz.

**Tesla hints at affordable Model 2 launch:** Tesla VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy confirmed that new, affordable models, possibly dubbed “Model 2” or “Model Q,” will resemble existing Tesla designs and will be produced on the same lines as the Model 3 and Y. Drone footage from the Fremont factory has sparked speculation about the new vehicles’ appearance. The company aims for production to start in the first half of 2025.

**Other notable news:**

* **Musk’s OpenAI lawsuit progresses:** Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI cleared a legal hurdle, bringing the trial closer.
* **Tesla denies CEO replacement reports:** Tesla publicly denied reports that the company was searching for a new CEO.
* **Tesla hints at June 1 Robotaxi launch in Austin:** Tesla is teasing the launch of its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, on June 1st.
* **T-Mobile’s Starlink cellular offers free 5G trial:** T-Mobile customers are getting a free 5G trial through their Starlink cellular service. This is generating further competition in the 5G market.
* **Elon Musk’s lightheartedness returns:** Elon Musk’s recent social media activity shows a return to a more lighthearted tone, joking about fighting a gorilla. This is a shift from his more politically-charged recent posts.

These developments highlight Tesla’s continued innovation in autonomous driving, electric vehicles, and its expanding presence in various sectors. The company’s moves in the autonomous driving space, particularly with the Everest FSD trip and the upcoming robotaxi launch, are significant milestones in the development of this technology.

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