Is ASOTU Getting Political? Tesla Self-Driving Begins, App Unlock at CVS

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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We’re rolling into the big conversations at the 2025 Public Policy Day, where industry leaders and lawmakers shape the future of auto. Plus, CVS is testing a new app feature to unlock products, and Tesla inches toward unsupervised self-driving—though Elon says don’t get too excited just yet.

Show Notes with links:

• The press stage is set at ready to go at the 2025 Public Policy Day
  hosted by WANADA.
  • The 2025 Public Policy Day at the Washington, D.C. Auto Show on January 30 features key industry leaders and policymakers. The day kicks off with a networking lunch, followed by opening remarks from John O’Donnell and a keynote discussion with Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and Devon Haynie (U.S. News & World Report).
  • Highlights include vehicle reveals from Stellantis (Dodge Charger Daytona, Jeep Wagoneer S) and Nissan (2025 Murano), plus an Aston Martin Vanquish presentation by Bouch Siaf. A fireside chat features Todd Inman (NTSB) and Dave Shepardson (Reuters), while Alex Kwanten presents the Best Cars for the Money Awards.
  • Industry roundtables cover consumer insights (featuring Thomas Castriota, Paul J Daly) and tax/trade policy (Jennifer Safavian, Cody Lusk, Bill Long). The event closes with Michael Cottone (Volvo) and John Bozzella (Alliance for Automotive Innovation).
  • The day concludes with an exclusive Sneak Peek Reception of the Auto Show, presented by Events DC.
    
• Elon Musk recently announced that Tesla has initiated "unsupervised self-driving" at its Fremont factory. However, this development is currently limited to vehicles autonomously navigating within the factory premises.
  • Tesla released a video showing cars driving themselves from the production line to loading docks without human intervention.
  • This internal application covers a 1.2-mile route on private factory roads at low speeds.
  • Musk has previously set ambitious timelines for unsupervised self-driving, including a driverless cross-country trip by 2018, which have not been met.
  • The current implementation is a step forward but remains far from the full autonomous driving capabilities promised to consumers.
  • Musk's latest projection targets unsupervised self-driving in California and Texas by the second quarter of 2025.
    
• CVS is piloting a new feature in its app that allows customers to unlock anti-theft cabinets themselves, aiming to enhance the shopping experience.
  • The feature is currently being tested in three New York City stores.
  • To use it, customers must be logged into the CVS app, connected to the store's Wi-Fi, and have Bluetooth enabled.
  • This initiative addresses customer frustration with locked cabinets, which, while deterring theft, often inconvenience shoppers.
  • CVS plans to expand the test to 10 to 15 additional stores, including locations on the West Coast.
  • "People really, really dislike locked cabinets," said Tilak Mandadi, executive vice president at CVS Health.

Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
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