In a high-stakes race to dominate autonomous ride-hailing, Tesla is urging customers to trade in older vehicles for "Robotaxi-ready" models—just as Uber outmaneuvers Elon Musk’s company by launching driverless 3-row SUVs through a surprise partnership.
Tesla’s aggressive new upgrade program, announced late Thursday, offers steep discounts on new Model 3 and Model Y vehicles for owners of cars predating 2022. The incentive? Older hardware lacks the sensors and computing power needed for Tesla’s long-promised Robotaxi network, now slated for a 2026 rollout. "Owners who upgrade will be first in line to earn income from their vehicles when Robotaxi goes live," said Tesla VP Lars Moravy in a memo.
Yet even as Tesla scrambles to modernize its fleet, Uber has quietly beaten it to the autonomous 3-row SUV market—a critical segment for family and group travel. Partnering with EV maker Lucid and autonomous tech firm Nuro, Uber unveiled its driverless "Gravity SUV" service in Los Angeles and Miami this week. The luxury electric vehicles, equipped with Nuro’s Level 4 self-driving system, target affluent suburbs and airport routes.
https://x.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1946088911291216240
Uber’s Gravity SUV (Source: @SawyerMerritt/X)
The Lucid Gravity’s spacious interior and 440-mile range give Uber an edge in comfort and practicality over Tesla’s compact Robotaxi prototypes. Industry analysts note the move exploits Tesla’s delayed Cybertruck and van programs. "Uber’s pivot to Lucid’s established SUV platform is a masterstroke," said ABI Research analyst James Hodgson. "They’ve sidestepped Tesla’s vaporware by leveraging a vehicle already rolling off production lines."
Behind-the-scenes details of the Nuro-Lucid-Uber deal reveal a rapid integration of Nuro’s autonomous software with Lucid’s DreamDrive Pro hardware. Uber plans 500 Gravity SUVs in operation by Q1 2026.
Meanwhile, Tesla owners upgrading for Robotaxi eligibility are snapping up accessories to document their vehicles’ early autonomous journeys. Best-selling dashcams like the Vantrue N4 Pro (see on Amazon) have surged 200% in sales this month. "If my car becomes a ‘taxi,’ I want proof of how it handles wild scenarios," said Tesla owner Darren Lee.
The Bottom Line:
Uber’s head start in premium driverless transport piles pressure on Tesla, which must now accelerate Robotaxi deployment while convincing customers to subsidize its fleet. With legacy automakers like Ford and GM also expanding autonomous partnerships, the race has shifted from promises to pavement—and Tesla is no longer in pole position.
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