Tesla announces Giga Nevada expansion / Uber Freight cuts 3% of workforce / Ford seeks sale of manufacturing plant in Germany

Hey Insiders — thanks for joining us on the latest on EVs, ride-sharing, and micro-mobility. Here's what is happening with Ford, Tesla, Uber, and more: Nicolas 1. Tesla announced its plans to invest over $3.6B to expand its Gigafactory Nevada, including a dedicated factory for the Semi. The EV company plans a 100 GWh 4680-cell facility, the equivalent battery capacity for 1.5 million light-duty vehicles per year. Q: In October, Tesla set a goal to ramp up production to 50,000 Semi units per year starting in 2024. Do you think the EV maker will increase its target? Share your thoughts. 2. Uber Freight is cutting 3% of its workforce (150 employees), impacting its Brokerage division. While the company ramped up hiring in 2022, "volumes did not materialize as expected."  Q: Will Uber be forced to cut other divisions this year? Share your thoughts on Inside.com. NOTE: Inside.com founder and CEO Jason Calacanis is an investor in Uber. 3. Ford is reportedly holding talks with BYD to sell its manufacturing plant in Saarlouis, Germany, where the American automaker is planning to halt production in 2025. Ford reportedly plans to cut 3,200 jobs, mostly impacting administrative and product roles in Germany. Q: Ford currently employs 700 staff members at the Saarlouis plant — do you think a sale would accelerate further layoffs this year? Share your thoughts. 4. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi revealed that the company is working with automakers on EVs designed for ridesharing. In 2021, Uber collaborated with Arrival on an electric car; however, the EV company shifted its strategy to work solely on electric vans. NOTE: Inside.com founder and CEO Jason Calacanis is an investor in Uber. 5. Honda is creating a new business division for electric vehicles, electric power products, and motorcycles. The automaker aims to release 30 electric models by 2030. 6. European micro-mobility operator Bolt (not to be confused with Miami-based Bolt Mobility) estimates that 7,000 users avoided 2.4 million kg (~5.3 million pounds) of CO2 emissions. The customers reportedly replaced 20 million km (12.4 million miles) in car trips. 7. Lithia Motors is reportedly in advanced talks to purchase car retailer Jardine Motors for £300M (~$369M). Jardine has 50 sites across the U.K., working with Audi, Aston Martin, BMW, and Jaguar Land Rover, among others. A message from ATHLETIC BREWING This January, don’t quit your routine. Give dry a try by adding Athletic Brewing’s great-tasting non-alcoholic craft beer to your lineup. Plus, enjoy $10 off your first purchase!  Athletic Brewing is: Award-winning, brewed in the USA Non-alcoholic (less than 0.5% ABV) Vegan-Friendly Low Calorie You shouldn’t have to sacrifice being at your best to enjoy great brews – so we created our innovative lineup of refreshing, non-alcoholic craft brews. Get $10 Off Now Nicolas is a Sr. Analyst at Inside, covering transportation and IT trends. He is an avid map maker and data nerd. Nicolas has worked in the shared-scooter space, as well as advised e-bike and moped startups.  Editor Aaron Crutchfield is based in the high desert of California. Over the last two decades, he has spent time writing and editing at various local newspapers and defense contractors in California. When he's not working, he can often be found looking at the latest memes with his kids or working on his 1962 and 1972 Fords. If your company would like to sponsor an Inside.com newsletter, please take a look at our sponsor page here.

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