Tesla Looks to Boost Model Y Sales with Threats of Nearing Price Increases
The Tesla Model Y is a wildly popular EV on the global stage, but the automaker is still looking for ways to boost sales and keep it relevant. As we approach the end of the first quarter of 2024, Tesla is pushing the Model Y with a message that prices will increase on April 1 in hopes that the threat of higher purchase price s will drive buyers to act in the next two weeks.
Researchers Find Super Simple Way to Hack Tesla Keys
Security researchers have found numerous vulnerabilities in some of today’s most popular vehicles, including finding ways to access owner data, take control of vehicle systems, and more. Tesla’s vehicles aren’t immune, and a team of researchers recently showed how easy accessing one of the advanced EVs with a simple electronic device can be.
Tesla Might Soon Offer a Supercharger Extension Cable
For a long time, Tesla’s Superchargers only supported its vehicles, but the automaker has recently opened the network to outside brands. While some challenges, such as delays and crowded locations, were expected, there have been a few issues relating to the fact that some automakers don’t install their vehicles’ charging ports in places where they can be reached by a Supercharger cable. To remedy that issue, Tesla is working on an extension cable that would allow non-Tesla EVs to charge without hassle.
Report: Tesla Readying New Model 3 Performance
Tesla released a new Model 3 for 2024, but keen eyes immediately noticed that the automaker had only refreshed two of the car’s three previous configurations. The standard range rear-drive model remained, along with the Model 3 Long Range, but the Performance was nowhere to be found. That could be changing, though, in typical Tesla fashion, there are no official confirmations.
Possible Arson Causes Tesla to Temporarily Shutter Gigafactory Berlin
We’ve heard of automakers shuttering factories for production issues and parts shortages over the last few years, but Tesla’s recent shutdown is a new one. The automaker said it shut down production at its Gigafactory Berlin due to a potential sabotage attack, which left the facility without power.
Abandoned History: The Apple Electric Car Project, Rest in Peace (2014-2024)
After a decade-long project that saw changes in approach, multiple delays, staff changes, planning and replanning, and conflicting reports, Apple’s Titan autonomous electric car project is dead. The company made an internal announcement on February 27th, 2024 which leaked to the press immediately via several Apple employees. The project’s cancellation created our most recent Abandoned History subject matter to date. Let’s start at the beginning, in 2014.
The Tesla Roadster Might Finally Arrive Next Year
Tesla has this awesome habit of announcing a vehicle and then waiting several years to start selling it. The Cybertruck just went on sale in late 2023, four years after its reveal, but it’s not the worst offender on Tesla’s “Is it really coming?” list. That honor goes to the Tesla Roadster.
Announced in late 2017, the car was initially scheduled for release in 2020, but CEO Elon Musk pushed the date back, citing the need to focus on developing other models. Musk first set the date in 2023, but in a post on X this morning, he moved the goalpost again, this time to 2025.
Are Plug-In Hybrids the Future?
On today's podcast, we ponder if plug-in hybrids are the future, talk Tesla and Ram, and ruminate on our first races attended as fans.
Tesla Cybertruck Engineer: Rust Spots Are Just "Surface Contamination"
At this point, the Tesla Cybertruck has made so many headlines that it’s impossible to keep track of them all. Good or bad, the EV gets a ton of attention, most recently for reports that some owners noticed its stainless steel body rusting in places.
The claims immediately went viral, with people across the internet chiming in to poke fun or offer support for Tesla. Now, a Tesla engineer has stepped up to defend the truck, and it appears that the “rust” might be easily cleaned.
Tesla's Model 3 Long Range Got a Price Hike
Tesla made news on several occasions last year for cutting prices on the Model 3 sedan, but the automaker appears to have reversed course with the introduction of the car’s 2024 refresh. The Model 3 is now the same cost as the Model Y, moving it away from the impressive price point it had for much of last year.
NTSB Denies Involvement with The Dawn Project's Super Bowl Ad
Super Bowl commercials are lots of fun, but they sometimes spur controversy instead of lighthearted giggles. The Dawn Project, founded and helmed by billionaire CEO Dan O’Dowd, sponsored an anti-Tesla ad during the Super Bowl last weekend, but the group’s claims were almost immediately called out by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), whose logo The Dawn Project used without permission.
Tesla Temporarily Cut Model Y Pricing
The Tesla Model Y is the world’s best-selling electric vehicle, but that hasn’t stopped the automaker from exploring new ways to boost buyer interest. Though it’s eligible for federal tax credits, Tesla is temporarily decreasing pricing on the SUV, dropping it to $42,990 for the base model and $47,990 for the Long Range model.
Internal Memo Has Tesla Employees Worried About Layoffs
Tesla has the best-selling EV in the world, but that hasn’t made the automaker immune to cost-cutting measures. A recent report describes an internal memo that asked managers to justify their teams’ employment.
Owners Can Charge Ford Vehicles at Superchargers Without Separate Tesla App
Ford was the first company to announce a move to Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), explaining that its vehicles would soon be able to seamlessly charge at Supercharger locations across the country. The automaker hadn’t detailed the transition and steps owners need to take to charge until recently, when it confirmed that owners would be able to charge using the FordPass app instead of needing a separate Tesla app.
Tesla Recalled 2.2 Million Vehicles for Too-Small Warning Lights
For a long time, Tesla took criticism for bypassing the recall process in favor of issuing over-the-air software updates. That practice has changed, and the automaker has issued several recalls in recent months, including the most recent one, which covers 2.2 million vehicles for an issue with the size of its warning lights.
Tesla Recalls 200,000 Vehicles for Rearview Camera Glitch
Tesla recently recalled almost every vehicle it has sold to update the Autopilot system with new driver monitoring features and safeguards. We’re now learning of another significant recall, this time involving almost 200,000 cars for issues with the backup camera software that could obstruct visibility.
Report: Tesla Model Y Was the World's Best-Selling Vehicle in 2023
Tesla was recently overtaken by Chinese automaker BYD as the world’s largest EV builder, but the American company had the world’s best-selling vehicle overall last year. According to a new report from data company JATO Dynamics, the Model Y sold 1.23 million vehicles, making it the global best-seller by a large margin.
Tesla Finally Appears to Make Moves Toward Building Affordable EV Model
The long-rumored affordable, entry-level Tesla is almost here – maybe. Four years after the automaker first said it would build a cheaper EV, it appears things are in motion. Tesla reportedly alerted suppliers that it would start building a mass-market compact crossover in the middle of 2025, which would become one of the most affordable electric models on sale if it becomes a reality.
Tesla to Idle German Gigafactory Due to Red Sea Shipping Delays
We’ve been hearing about attacks on shipments on the Red Sea for a while now, but the violence has probably felt like an isolated problem to many people. Shipping delays and logistics challenges have real consequences, though, and Tesla is finding that out the hard way.
The Updated Tesla Model 3 is Available in North America
After several months of spy shots and looking at the updated Tesla Model 3 in European markets, the car is finally available in North America. Tesla added the car to its online configurator without much fanfare, but there are plenty of changes to the automaker’s popular sedan.
Elon Musk's Reported Drug Use Rattles Tesla Board
Marijuana is legal in several states, and you can even order ketamine from a Facebook ad. What you do behind closed doors is, in most cases, your business, but what about if you’re the CEO of several companies with combined values in the hundreds of billions of dollars? That’s a question Tesla’s board members are facing, as CEO Elon Musk’s alleged drug use has been plastered across the internet and news stations everywhere.
Samsung Partners with Tesla and Hyundai for Deeper Home Connectivity
Smart home devices and hubs can be awesome or infuriating, depending on how you use them. Even so, Samsung hopes to keep things simple with its newest efforts, which see it partnering with two automakers to integrate EV and other functions with its SmartThings platform.
Tesla Quietly Cuts Range Estimates for Some Models
Tesla has long been accused of being, um, “overly optimistic” about its EVs’ range estimates. Its vehicles often fall further from their EPA estimates than other models, prompting an investigation by the DOJ and owner complaints. Now, the automaker has quietly reduced its advertised range estimates, with some falling by significant amounts.
Some Norwegian Driving Schools Ban Teslas for Poor Turn Signal Design
Redesigning the wheel is great, as long as the thing you’re changing actually needs it. Automakers are primary offenders in this area, changing the gear selector and many other long-consistent components.
Tesla changed several things in its vehicles, the most baffling of which is the turn signal stalk, which it removed in favor of steering wheel-mounted buttons. That “update” is cause for concern for driving schools in Norway, where many instructors believe the buttons are dangerous in some situations and have banned Teslas from their lessons.
Porsche Humiliates Tesla at the Nürburgring
Zuffenhausen has knocked Tesla off its perch as king of the ‘ring, throwing down an all-electric lap time within a shout of the bonkers Rimac Nevera.
Tesla Just Had Its Best Year, but Still Got Passed By BYD
Tesla just had its best sales year ever, beating its sales target and delivering more than 484,000 vehicles in the fourth quarter. Despite that success, the company fell behind Chinese automaker BYD for the first time.
Opinion: Tesla Needs to Behave Better
Lost a bit in the holiday rush here at TTAC was a new Reuters story about Tesla blaming the buyers of its cars for parts failures.
Tesla is Expected to Roll Out a Thoroughly Refreshed Model Y Next Summer
Tesla recently began rolling out its refreshed Model 3 sedan in some global markets, and the automaker is now gearing up for an update to its best-selling model. Bloomberg broke the story, which claims that the Model Y is due for a thorough update next year.
Several VW Group Companies to Jump on Tesla's NACS in 2025
Tesla earns a lot of bad press for its semi-autonomous driving features and misbehaving drivers, but the automaker’s charging network is rarely a target of criticism. Other companies have jumped on board with Tesla’s Superchargers, vowing to adopt the standard for new EVs, and now Tesla has a handful of new automakers joining the fray. Audi, Porsche, Scout, and Volkswagen will all move to Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) starting in 2025.
Tesla Boosts Some Hourly Wages By As Much As 10 Percent
Tesla is famously non-union, but it’s not immune to the effects of a well-negotiated UAW contract. The automaker is significantly boosting pay for workers at its factory in Sparks, Nevada, by as much as ten percent, bringing it closer in line with the wage increases seen by union auto workers.
The Cybertruck's Windshield Costs $1,900 to Replace
We were promised an affordable Cybertruck, but as it turns out, nothing about Tesla’s latest EV is cheap. The least expensive trim won’t be available until 2025, leaving the truck’s starting price at almost $70,000, and we’re now learning how much some replacement parts will cost. Electrek recently dug around in Tesla’s online parts catalog and found that the windshield costs a whopping $1,900 to replace.
Tesla Recalling Two Million Vehicles Over Autopilot Not Being Sufficiently Annoying
Tesla is recalling over 2 million vehicles in the United States that have been equipped with its Autopilot advanced driver-assistance system. Efforts come after years of media attention and federal safety regulators suggesting that the system posed safety concerns. The automaker is reportedly issuing an over-the-air update that will add new safeguards against distracted driving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been formally investigating the EV manufacturer for the last two years and believes Autopilot poses enough of a safety risk in its current format to push for the recall. That makes this the largest example in the company’s history, encompassing just about every Tesla model ever produced.
Report: Rivian R1T is More Efficient Than the Tesla Cybertruck
Electric vehicles might not use any fossil fuels to move around, but they’re still subject to efficiency testing. The Tesla Cybertruck delivers impressive efficiency that bests all of its rivals except for one. Rivian’s R1T has stronger efficiency than the Tesla, even when riding on the larger optional wheels and carrying the heavier battery pack.
Opinion: The Tesla Cybertruck Won't Change the Game
Now that I've had nearly a week to digest the Tesla Cybertruck news, I've come to the conclusion that the Cybertruck will neither revolutionize the automotive market nor be such a flop that it kills Tesla.
QOTD: Going Cyber?
Today's QOTD is quite simple -- would you, if you have the dough, buy a Tesla Cybertruck?
Tesla Cybertruck: Still Crazy After All These Years
Last night, Tesla finally unveiled the production Cybertruck. Four years after we first saw it -- "we" meaning society. Us TTAC folk weren't at either event.
Tesla Cybertruck Max Towing Revealed
Tesla has revealed the maximum towing capabilities for the long-anticipated Cybertruck by including it in display materials located at some of the brand’s physical locations. As the company lacks a dedicated PR department, the information comes by way of social media accounts and dedicated forums. While this means Tesla hasn’t confirmed the figures, there is sufficient coverage to deem the number plausible. Until the manufacturer says otherwise, Cybertruck will be capable of towing 11,000 pounds.
Tesla Begins Charging $1 Per Minute Congestion Fees at Busy Superchargers
Tesla recently started opening its Supercharger network to outside EV brands, but the influx of more vehicles to charge has put a strain on the system. To help with the surge, the automaker has started charging congestion fees of up to $1 per minute at busy Supercharger locations.
Surprise: More Cybertruck Specs Leak Ahead of Official Reveal
The Tesla Cybertruck is due for an official release next week, but the slow, steady drip of information isn’t stopping. According to forum users in Southern California, the automaker has two Cybertrucks on display at a mall in San Diego, and they claim to have new specs to share.
The New Tesla Cyberquad is Less Likely to Injure Your Kids
The Tesla Cybertruck is allegedly nearing its release, four years after its initial reveal. It’s been a long time, but if you can think back that far, you might remember the automaker showed an electric quad alongside the truck. Unfortunately, the toy had to be recalled for not meeting Consumer Product Safety Commission standards, but it recently returned to the market with less chance of injury.
Tesla: Cybertruck Buyers Cannot Resell Within the First Year
The Tesla Cybertruck is finally getting a formal reveal on November 30, four years after Elon Musk first announced it. While we still don’t have many details on the long-awaited EV, it appears Tesla is taking early steps to preempt the flippers that have ruined so many other recent vehicle launches. The automaker recently updated its Motor Vehicle Order Agreement Terms and Conditions to state that Cybertruck buyers cannot resell the truck for the first year of ownership.
Tesla Cybertruck Specs Allegedly Leaked Ahead of Late November Reveal
We’re just weeks away from the Tesla Cybertruck’s official unveiling, but the company hasn’t yet released specs or even a price. A recent leak could shed light on the issue, as an “insider” sent what they claim are Cybertruck specs to The Fast Lane EV.
Report: Tesla To Build Fabled Affordable Electric Car in Germany
We’re back here again. New reports state that Tesla is working toward an affordable EV model and note that it will produce the vehicles at its German location near Berlin. As these things tend to go with Tesla, the information came from an unnamed source, as reported by Automotive News.
Cybertruck Struggles With Light Off-Roading in New Video
We’re just a few weeks away from the four-year anniversary of the Tesla Cybertruck reveal event. The announcement understandably made huge waves in the auto industry and everywhere else, honestly, but that excitement hasn’t survived the several-year wait for many people. Videos like this one aren’t helping the truck’s case, either, as it appears to be struggling with a relatively straightforward off-road obstacle.
Tesla Notches a Win in Early Lawsuit for Deadly Autopilot Crash
Tesla has seemed to be in constant legal peril over the last couple of years, as several high-profile crashes involving its semi-autonomous driving functions have led to investigations and lawsuits. Even so, the automaker was victorious in one of its first trials, which ended earlier this week.
Report: Couple Charged $20K After Their Tesla's Battery Got Rained On
A couple in Scotland expressed sticker shock after facing a bill of about 20,000 U.S. dollars to have their Tesla fixed when the battery was damaged by rain.
Tesla Offering Seven New Colors, Factory Wraps
Tesla is adding seven new colors for Model 3 and Model Y vehicles sold in the United States. However, it’s not new paint you’ll be getting. The automaker has instead decided to utilize urethane-based wraps similar to vinyl wraps available on via aftermarket companies. While this is a convenient way for the automaker to offer new colors without having to upgrade factory paint booths, Tesla is asking quite a bit of money for these wraps.
This $15,000 Lift Kit Will Take Your Tesla Model Y to the Clouds
Do you own a Model Y? Do you own a Model Y and wish it could do cool off-road activities? If you answered “yes” to those questions, check out this $15,000 kit to raise the electric SUV by several inches.
Hyundai Latest to Jump on NACS Bandwagon
In what must surely be some of the least surprising automotive news you’ll read today, the corporate duo of Hyundai and Genesis have announced they will be adopting the North American Charging Standard for its EVs. This change will debut in the final quarter of next year.
Elon Musk Sued for Spreading Conspiracy Theories on Twitter/X
Elon Musk’s Twitter – umm, X – finger has led him into quite a bit of controversy over the years, including some that ended in the courtroom. Earlier this year, Musk echoed claims that a California college student was involved in a public confrontation between two neo-Nazi groups in Oregon. That turned out not to be true, but the Tesla CEO tweeted about it anyway, and the victim at the center of the hoax is now suing.
The Tesla Model 3 Made the List of Most-Leased Vehicles as First EV
Beyond tracking your credit score, Experian tracks trends and data in the automotive industry, including the most popular leased models. While the list is typically dominated by high-volume gas vehicles like the Ford F-150 and Nissan Rogue, the Tesla Model 3 is on a run that made it the first EV to make the top 10 most leased vehicles in the second quarter of 2023.
Honda and Acura EVs to Join Tesla's Supercharger Network Starting in 2025
Last month, we reported that Honda and Acura would join Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS). The Japanese automakers rely on General Motors’ EV technology for some new models, and the U.S. company committed to Tesla’s standard early on, so it wasn’t a surprising development that Honda would follow suit. Yesterday, the automakers confirmed the reports and put a timeline on the commitment, stating that they would implement the plugs in new EVs starting in 2025.
Tesla Reveals New Model 3 for Some Global Markets
We’ve been seeing leaks and hearing teases for the updated Tesla Model 3 for a while now, and it finally looks like the automaker has rolled out the long-awaited refresh. The new car is on sale in China now, bringing refined styling, increased range, and a fresh interior.
Tesla's Odd Drive-In and Diner-Equipped Supercharger Location Appears to Be Headed for Reality
Tesla builds cars, sells carbon credits, and operates an extensive EV charging network in the U.S., but its resume could be expanding. CEO Elon Musk hinted at building a diner and drive-in movie theater alongside a Tesla charging station in Southern California years ago, and it now appears the plan could become a reality, as Teslarati reported that the automaker got approval from local officials to proceed.
Musk: Cybertruck Tolerances Need to Be to the "Third Decimal Place in Millimeters"
The internet is full of photos and videos of Tesla vehicles with misaligned body panels and quality control problems upon delivery. CEO Elon Musk is on guard as the automaker’s most anticipated vehicle launch in years approaches, as one of his recent emails surfaced that shows him telling engineering teams that manufacturing tolerances for the truck must be perfect.
Former Tesla Employees Leak Data From More Than 75,000 Individuals
Tesla often makes news for misbehaving drivers and how they use its technology, but now the automaker is the subject of a different story. Automotive News reported that a data breach impacted the company in May, affecting more than 75,000 people, and was the result of “insider wrongdoing.”
Stellantis Chief Muses EV Margins, Targets Tesla
On Wednesday, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares suggested that Tesla’s profitability was on the decline due to the automaker having to confront some of the issues of a legacy manufacturer.
"They are entering my world, the world of tight pricing, cost competitiveness, and the operational issues that a big company like ours may face," Tavares told the press during a presentation of Stellantis’ half-year financial report.
Since everyone loves a little industrial drama, the statement became national news. But is Tesla really on the decline because it’s finally on the level of other multinational automakers or is Tavares just coping?
Tesla Wildly Overestimated Range and Turned Deaf Ear to Complaints, Allege Reuters
It will surprise precisely zero of our readers to learn that some carmakers apply optimistic range estimates to their electric vehicles. Prior to EVs taking the stage, it also wasn’t uncommon – especially prior to changes in methods at the EPA – for cars with internal combustion powertrains to bear outsized fuel economy ratings thanks to twisted testing protocols.
Tesla Temporarily Allows FSD Transfer to New Vehicles
If you want to add what Tesla calls full self-driving capability (FSD) to one of its new vehicles, you’re looking at up to $15,000 on top of the price of a new model. In an effort to juice sales this quarter, the automaker is letting existing FSD customers transfer their services to a new model, but only in the next couple of months.
Tesla Driver Receives Felony For Fatal Autopilot Collision
Tesla drivers abusing Autopilot and the company’s “full self-driving” tech have almost become a meme at this point, but there are very real consequences when things go wrong. A California man was behind the wheel of a Tesla Model S in 2019 when it collided with another car, killing the two people inside. The Tesla was using Autopilot at the time, and the driver recently pleaded no contest to two counts of vehicular manslaughter.
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