• Tesla clashes with IG Metall over toxic work culture, criminal charges, and defamation claims. • Tesla sidesteps California sales ban by removing “Autopilot” from marketing. • Polestar announces four new production models slated for launch within three years. • Hyundai slashes EV prices amid competition from BYD and Tesla. • Toyota offers $5,000 discount and 0% financing on new EVs. • Chevy Equinox EV gets $10,000 discount, boosting affordability.

Article Summaries:

  • Tesla is embroiled in a high‑profile dispute with Germany’s IG Metall over alleged toxic working conditions, criminal charges, and a defamation claim against a plant manager. The union’s confrontation has led to a tense standoff at the Giga Berlin facility, where Tesla reportedly called police on a union representative during a critical vote. In the United States, Tesla sidestepped a potential 30‑day sales suspension in California by removing the “Autopilot” label from its marketing, thereby avoiding accusations of misleading consumers. The story highlights ongoing labor tensions for the automaker while noting that Tesla can still sell vehicles in California for the time being.

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