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SpaceX spy plane launch for Air Force in question as Hurricane Irma nears
The X-37B spaceplane. (USAF)
SpaceX is aiming to launch the United States Air Force’s X-37B experimental space plane into orbit for the fifth time (OTV-5) this Thursday. No official time has been provided thus far, but weather considerations suggest a morning launch from SpaceX’s LC-39A pad in Florida.
After a tragically destructive Hurricane Harvey placed the U.S. in a state of national shock, a second seemingly-monstrous storm is baring down on the East Coast, and the U.S. is finding itself having to prepare once more for a massive hurricane. While landfall is far from guaranteed this early, it is becoming increasingly likely as the storm rapidly strengthens in the warm waters of the Bahamas. Already topping the meteorological scales at Category 5, Hurricane Irma could wreak havoc along the East Coast, which includes Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, where SpaceX’s facilities are located.
Designed to stand up to at least Category 3 wind speeds, SpaceX’s integration facilities will be truly put to the test if the worst-case forecasts play out in Florida. Current launch forecasting nevertheless predicts 60% favorable conditions Thursday morning, shifting to between 30% and 50% on Friday. After Friday, it is unclear if conditions will allow for further launch attempts, if they are needed, although Saturday may offer launch opportunities. Irma will likely begin to noticeably impact Cape Canaveral’s weather and wind levels over the weekend, although hurricane course forecasts are always bound to change drastically. The primary concerns of SpaceX and Cape Canaveral Air Force Base will be safely preparing facilities for potentially extreme conditions and allowing their employees enough time to safely evacuate themselves and their families.
The 45th Weather Squadron’s 9/6 forecast for Hurricane Irma’s impact on the Space Coast. (45th WS/CCAFB)
While it is likely that SpaceX will be able to take their time during the launch of OTV-5, the winds and storm surge produced by a Category 5 hurricane could severely damage or even destroy some of SpaceX’s East Coast launch facilities and the expensive hardware contained within them.
Two of Falcon Heavy’s three first stages and several other recovered Falcon 9s are currently being stored in the company’s integration facilities, the same facilities designed to survive Category 3 winds, not Category 5 winds. In all fairness, there are very few structures that could be reasonably expected to survive those wind levels, aside from maybe concrete bunkers. One can only hope that their facilities and numerous rockets hold up during the potential onslaught.
Hurricane Harvey seen from the International Space Station on August 24th. SpaceX’s CRS-12 Dragon can be seen in the upper right. (NASA)
News
Volkswagen global deliveries climb with EV boost
VW’s EV boom comes as Tesla weathers protests in Germany over Musk’s ties to Trump. Did politics help VW in Q1—or is it just timing?
The Volkswagen Group’s global deliveries rose in Q1, fueled by demand for electric vehicles (EVs).
Europe’s top automaker saw deliveries tick up 1.4% to 2.13 million units, riding a wave of electric vehicle growth in Europe and the Americas. However, Volkswagen stumbled in China, where deliveries dropped 7.1% against fierce local competition.
Volkswagen’s EV sales soared over 100% in Europe and 51% in the U.S.—Tesla’s strongholds. Meanwhile, Volkswagen’s sales in China plunged 37%, where BYD reigns.
Bloomberg suggested that the increase in Volkswagen’s sales might be related to Europe’s aversion to the Tesla brand. Tesla has felt the brunt of the backlash from Elon Musk’s political moves in Europe and his ties to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Earlier this week, a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump and Musk took place in Berlin-Mitte, Germany. Local police estimated that about 250 people protested against Trump and Musk in front of a Tesla showroom. One protester was temporarily arrested for displaying a poster featuring Elon Musk performing the Nazi salute. According to authorities, the poster was anti-constitutional.
However, Tesla’s delivery dip in the first quarter might have more to do with its Model Y preparations. The American EV automaker focused on retooling and upgrading its factories in America, China, and Europe to produce the new Model Y.
Trump’s tariffs cloud the horizon for VW and German peers like Audi and Porsche. Export woes loom for German automakers, but Volkswagen’s EV surge might offer a buffer.
Trump’s tariffs will affect Tesla as well. Elon Musk has been vocal about his stance on Trump’s tariffs, noting that it will impact Tesla.
“To be clear, this will affect the price of parts in Tesla cars that come from other countries. The cost impact is not trivial,” Elon Musk shared in an X post.
News
Tesla might benefit from Trump’s plans for Saudi Arabia
Tesla is launching its EVs in Saudi Arabia this Thursday. And with Trump pushing for major Saudi investments, Musk’s timing could pay off big.
Tesla Saudi Arabia might benefit from U.S. President Donald Trump’s investment plans for Saudi Arabia.
Tesla starts selling cars in Saudi Arabia this Thursday, April 10. In the desert kingdom, Tesla is plunging into a market where not a single electric vehicle (EV) charging station can be found on a 900-kilometer stretch between Riyadh and Mecca. Last year, EV sales in Saudi Arabia hit just 2,000 units, per analyst Sam Abuelsamid—less than Tesla’s typical daily tally.
Despite challenges in Saudi Arabia, Tesla isn’t holding back with its debut in the kingdom. Tesla Saudi Arabia will host a launch event April 10, 2025, at Bujairi Terrace, showcasing the Cybercab, its Optimus humanoid robot, and its AI and robotics plans.
According to Reuters, Tesla’s push aligns with thawing ties between Elon Musk and Riyadh, fueled by Musk’s prominent role in Trump’s campaign and administration.
Trump’s eyeing Saudi Arabia for his first overseas trip in May. The U.S. President aims to ink a deal after urging Saudi Arabia in January to invest $1 trillion into the United States over the next four years. Trump’s Saudi Arabian investment deal includes military buys.
“Plenty of business people are thinking about how to position their firms around President Trump’s anticipated visit to the Gulf,” noted Robert Mogielnicki, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.
“I suspect Tesla wants to firmly plant their flag in the Saudi market before President Trump’s visit and then try to capitalize on momentum thereafter,” added Mogielnicki.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister landed in the U.S. on Tuesday, April 8, signaling big moves ahead. With rivals like BYD and Lucid already at play in Saudi Arabia, Tesla’s timing could leverage Trump’s deal-making to jumpstart its foothold in the kingdom.
News
Tesla China sales soar in March amid new Model Y domestic deliveries
Tesla China was able to sell 74,127 vehicles domestically during the month.
Tesla China was back in full form in March 2025, with the electric vehicle maker selling an impressive 78,828 vehicles wholesale.
Tesla’s wholesale figures in China were shared by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).
Tesla China’s Strong March
Over the course of the month, Tesla China sold 78,828 vehicles wholesale, including 4,701 that were exported abroad. This means that Tesla China was able to sell 74,127 vehicles domestically during the month. That’s up 18.8% year-over-year and up 176.8% month-over-month.
Tesla China’s results in March are quite impressive considering that the company spent the majority of the first quarter transitioning Giga Shanghai to the new Model Y. The new Model Y only started domestic deliveries in late February, which is likely the main reason why Tesla China focused heavily on the local market in March.
Model Y and Model 3 in Focus
As noted in a CNEV Post report, Tesla China’s wholesale results in March included 49,029 units of the new Model Y. This represents a decrease of 14.8% from the 57,586 Model Ys that were sold in March 2024, but a 510.4% increase from the 8,032 Model Ys that were sold in February 2025.
Wholesale results for the Model 3 sedan during the month were 29,799 units, a year-over-year drop of 5.33% from 31,478 units that were sold in March 2024 and a month-over-month increase of 31.5% from the 22,656 units that were sold in February.
Tesla and China’s NEV Market
CPCA data indicated that China saw 991,000 New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sales in March. This represents an improvement of 38% year-over-year and an increase of 44% percent from February 2025. From this number, a total of 646,000 units were Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV).
With these results in mind, Tesla China commanded 7.48% of the country’s overall NEV market in March. The company’s share in the BEV segment last month was more notable at 11.47%.
Volkswagen global deliveries climb with EV boost
Tesla might benefit from Trump’s plans for Saudi Arabia
Tesla China sales soar in March amid new Model Y domestic deliveries
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