TechCrunch Mobility: The Mixed Reviews of the Ferrari Luce Are Not a Concern

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If you’re into EVs or sports cars, you’ve likely noticed the buzz around Ferrari’s first all-electric vehicle, the Luce. The immediate and passionate reactions to this five-seater EV, created by former Apple designer Jony Ive and priced at nearly $650,000, were hard to overlook.

Ferrari fans voiced their concerns, critics made comparisons with the more budget-friendly Nissan Leaf, memes went viral, and even Lucid’s Derek Jenkins dropped hints of discontent.

Senior reporter Sean O’Kane raised a pivotal question amidst the online chatter about the Ferrari Luce: Who is this vehicle really aimed at?

To get the full picture, you’ll need to read the complete article. Yet, I think the essential question is whether the Luce resonates with existing Ferrari owners. Many Ferrari owners typically have multiple vehicles, with over 80% of the 14,000 Ferrari buyers last year already possessing at least one Ferrari, as pointed out by O’Kane.

Ferrari believes there is significant interest in the EV. CEO Benedetto Vigna claims the Luce is already drawing orders from both current and prospective customers. If demand surpasses the production limit for Luce EVs, the next question is: who will get the chance to buy one? (IYKYK)

Ferrari may end up vindicated in its ventures. Remember the initial backlash against the Ferrari Purosangue when it first appeared? That SUV is now seen as a success. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter if a product receives criticism; Ferrari doesn’t need universal approval—just enough buyers.

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Now, let’s shift from EVs to AVs.

A recently implemented Texas law enhances the Department of Motor Vehicles’ authority regarding the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) across the state. Companies must now secure licenses for AVs, with that data available to the public. After investigating the AV tracking tool, here’s what I discovered.

Waymo stands out with 577 registered AVs, followed by Avride at 317, Nuro with 47, and Tesla with 42. Self-driving truck companies like Aurora, Gatik AI, Kodiak AI, and Waabi also make the list. (For an in-depth look, check out my story.)

Fleet size is just one indicator—and it doesn’t guarantee success. Many firms listed haven’t commenced commercial services in the state.

I’m particularly intrigued by the complaints feature, which is also public record. As it stands, there have been no complaints filed against the companies mentioned above.

Deals!

A new single-asset fund managed by Equip Capital has secured a majority stake in European e-scooter firm Ryde Technology, with Goldman Sachs Alternatives as the lead investor.

Harley-Davidson’s electric motorcycle division, LiveWire, has acquired electric off-road startup Dust Moto, though the terms are undisclosed.

Matternet, known for its autonomous drone delivery technology, has raised $33 million through a private placement and completed a reverse merger with Los Altos Ventures Corp.

Revel, the EV charging company that halted its ride-hailing operations last August, is merging with Voltera. Although terms are undisclosed, the new entity will operate under the Voltera brand, led by Revel CEO Frank Reig, according to Bloomberg.

Stark, a German drone manufacturer, is reportedly in talks to raise at least €300 million ($350 million), potentially doubling its valuation to €2.5 billion, as reported by the Financial Times.

Volara Motorsports Group, a performance and motorsports-focused holding company, has acquired Lynx Motor Works, a Texas-based firm celebrated for its limited-production, reimagined classic vehicles.

WeRoad, the Milan-based adventure travel startup, has raised $58 million in a Series C funding round led by Airbnb. This funding elevates WeRoad’s total capital to around $100 million and will facilitate its expansion into the U.S., beginning with Austin.

Notable reads and other tidbits

American Airlines will outfit over 500 narrow-body Airbus aircraft with Starlink starting early next year, joining other carriers in choosing SpaceX’s division for in-flight Wi-Fi. This partnership gives a financial boost to Starlink, a satellite communications platform and the only SpaceX business unit with significant revenue.

Rivian announced it will begin deliveries of its new R2 SUV on June 9. Additionally, Rivian is under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over its service procedures for the rear suspension components of its vehicles.

Slate Auto is set to reveal pricing and will start accepting non-refundable preorders for its affordable electric vehicle on June 24, with deliveries anticipated later this year.

Volvo Cars has obtained specification authorization from the Commerce Department, allowing the Swedish company, majority-owned by China’s Geely Holding, to continue importing and selling its vehicles in the U.S. A new law, effective January 2025, will largely prohibit almost all Chinese vehicles from the U.S. market amid concerns surrounding connected car technology with Chinese affiliations.

Waymo has started offering select riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco access to its latest robotaxi: an all-electric, minivan-style vehicle designed to handle the demands of thousands of riders cost-effectively. I had the chance to experience this vehicle—a modified Zeekr-made minivan called the Ojai (pronounced oh-hi). Stay tuned for my full review this weekend, but here’s a quick teaser: Robotaxis have faced challenges, and the Ojai is on its way to addressing these issues.

One more thing …

It’s time for a poll! Maybe you secretly admire the Ferrari Luce but don’t want to face judgment. Or perhaps you’re not a fan. We’ve invited our newsletter readers to share their thoughts.

Sign up for the Mobility newsletter to join our polls!

As a final note, last week, I asked our newsletter readers, “Will SpaceX and Tesla merge?” Here’s how they voted: Over 51% said “Yes, within two years”; 34% said “never”; and 14.5% answered “Yes, this year.” This suggests that over 65% believe a merger is on the horizon.