BYD Has An Reply For Autonomy’s Largest Query

Completely satisfied Wednesday! It is July 9, 2025, and that is The Morning Shift — your each day roundup of the highest automotive headlines from around the globe, in a single place. That is the place you may discover crucial tales which might be shaping the best way People drive and get round.

On this morning’s version, we’re BYD’s resolution to autonomy’s largest authorized hang-up, in addition to the ever-climbing price of used automobiles. We’ll additionally take a look at Waymo’s entry into New York Metropolis, and Rivian’s billion-dollar micromobility spin-off model.

BYD claims its God’s Eye driver-assist software program has reached SAE Degree 4, permitting drivers to take their eyes off the street until prompted. This can be a massive declare, however it comes with a fair greater one: BYD will take legal responsibility for any crashes that happen whereas God’s Eye is working. From Reuters:

Chinese language electrical automobile maker BYD on Wednesday promised to take accountability for losses to automobiles with its God’s Eye assisted driving programs in good parking situations in China.

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For losses to automobiles utilizing God’s Eye good driving, customers don’t have to undergo the insurance coverage course of however as an alternative attain out to BYD after-sales employees for dealing with, it added.

That is the massive query in automobile autonomy: Who takes the blame when a “self-driving” automotive crashes? BYD has chosen the correct reply right here, which leaves us solely ready for a solution to the second-biggest query in automobile autonomy: Why did BYD title its autonomy suite after the surveillance state software program from “Livid 7?”

Tariffs imply increased costs and decrease provide for brand new automobiles. Increased costs and decrease provide for brand new automobiles imply extra consumers are pushed into the used market. Extra used-car demand means increased costs, and that is precisely what we’re seeing — used automotive costs are method up, and promising to proceed that rising development. From Reuters:

A gauge of U.S. used automobile costs bought at wholesale auctions that proved predictive forward of the inflation surge following the COVID pandemic is climbing once more, final month notching its largest annual enhance in practically three years.

The rise comes amid ongoing automobile worth and gross sales volatility linked to auto tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

The Manheim Used Automobile Worth Index rose 1.6% in June from Might on a seasonally adjusted foundation and surged 6.3% from a 12 months earlier, the biggest year-over-year enhance since August 2022, in accordance with knowledge launched on Tuesday. At 208.5, the index has been trending upward for a 12 months and is now at its highest since October 2023.

The embedded graph within the Reuters piece is much more damning. The October 2023 comparability is when costs have been on their method down from pandemic peaks, however present used automotive costs eclipse practically your complete pre-pandemic chart — all the best way again to 2011.

There is a distinctive artwork to driving in New York, one which’s usually intimidating to vacationers however that is comparatively comprehensible as soon as you have pushed right here a number of occasions. Drivers are anticipated to have a sure stage of aggression, neither too low nor too excessive, and a tolerance for tight matches. Now, Waymo has the arrogance in its driving talent to try to sort out our roads. From Bloomberg:

Waymo’s first self-driving taxis arrived in New York Metropolis this week to start amassing knowledge with a human behind the wheel as the corporate seeks a allow for autonomous testing.

The Alphabet Inc.-owned firm plans to collect knowledge as its automobiles are pushed manually within the metropolis, an preliminary step into one of many largest ride-hailing markets within the US. Waymo utilized for a testing allow from the New York Metropolis Division of Transportation in June. If accredited, it plans to check its autos autonomously with a human security monitor within the automobile.

I am the lone holdout on the Jalopnik employees who’s staunchly anti-autonomous taxis, however not for the explanations you may count on. I like chatting with taxi and rideshare drivers, and Shazam-ing good music off their radio stations and playlists. Keep in mind in “Die Onerous,” when Argyle tells John McClane “Sorry, man. I used to drive a cab, and other people would count on somewhat chitchat”? Speaking together with your drivers was the norm! Carrying headphones in a rideshare feels delinquent and disrespectful to me, and I’ve no real interest in a rideshare that may provide me an expertise of the world that’s solely inside my management.

Rivian spun out Additionally Inc. as a micromobility startup earlier this 12 monthshowever the EV maker solely owns a small piece of the terribly-named-for-Web optimization e-bike maker. A lot of the remainder now belongs to an funding agency, which invested sufficient to provide the startup a $1 billion valuation. From Bloomberg:

A Rivian Automotive Inc.-backed startup growing small electrical autos was valued at $1 billion in a brand new funding from Greenoaks Capital, in accordance with individuals acquainted with the matter.

The enterprise agency put $200 million into the enterprise, referred to as Additionally Inc., at a $1 billion post-money valuation, mentioned the individuals, who requested to not be recognized discussing nonpublic particulars.

I’ve spent method an excessive amount of cash on bikeshares round Brooklyn and Queens not too long ago, and I can verify that micromobility simply feels so a lot better than the alternate options. Overlook about automobiles, even my motorbike has been sitting below its cowl as I proceed to get round on little rubbish Citibikes. I get locations simply as rapidly, I am out on the planet whereas I do it — unencumbered by armored jackets and boots — and I get a little bit of cardio in. I am trying ahead to seeing what Additionally places out.

I am sorry, however “Zachary Taylor” shouldn’t be an 1800s title. Zach Taylor is a contemporary title, a reputation that is aware of about Mountain Dew Code Purple and has robust opinions about “Name of Obligation” loadouts. Clearly our former President was a time traveler, and died resulting from one thing we have not but found. It will be referred to as “tachyon interference” or one thing.

This music video has some actual “Love Lies Bleeding” vitality, which is without doubt one of the highest compliments I can provide.