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Tesla slashes EV prices by $2,000 to offset reduced tax credits
Now that Tesla's federal EV tax credit has been cut in half, it's determined to keep sales humming with a price cut. The automaker has slashed the price of the Model 3, Model S and Model X by $2,000 in the US to soften the blow of the reduced tax incentive. You still won't save as much as you would if you'd snagged the full $7,500 credit, but it could make the financial hit easier to bear. As it stands, Tesla may need this price drop -- its deliveries didn't meet market expectations.
Apple hires former Tesla and Microsoft senior designer
Apple has hired Andrew Kim, formerly of Tesla and Microsoft, to bolster its design team. Kim captured the attention of many in 2011 with a custom iOS device stand and again in 2012 when, as a fan, he shared his vision for an overhaul of Microsoft's branding and design language. He then joined Microsoft and helped design the Windows 10 UI along with HoloLens and Xbox One S, he writes on his LinkedIn profile, before moving to Tesla.
Tesla puts more cars on sale to maximize $7,500 EV tax credit
Tesla really, really wants to be sure buyers can make the most of the full $7,500 EV tax credit before it's cut in half for the company in 2019. Elon Musk has announced that the automaker is now selling "all" cars where the original customer can't take delivery before the end of 2018. If you're quick on the draw, you could get the full credit even if you're placing an order for the first time.
Tesla’s Navigate on Autopilot takes on LA’s insane freeways
I'm talking and not paying attention to the Model 3's turn-by-turn navigation when the vehicle's blinker turns on. Tesla's "Navigate on Autopilot" turns the wheel to take the off-ramp to an interchange. My hands are on the wheel (as they should be with all driver assist features) and I double-check the traffic around me. No problems to be seen, and I let the car do its thing. It's smooth, it's impressive and it's available to all US Teslas with full self-driving hardware (All Teslas built on or after October 19, 2016, that is).
Tesla tests Autopilot navigation for traffic lights and roundabouts
Tesla has teased that Navigate on Autopilot will gradually handle more and more driving responsibilities, but those aren't just fanciful long-term plans -- they're very much on the roadmap for the near future. In the midst of a public pitch for Navigate on Autopilot, Elon Musk mentioned that Tesla is currently testing "traffic lights, stop signs & roundabouts" in pre-release software. It's hard not to be a bit skeptical of Musk's claim that you'll soon travel to work with "no driver input at all," but this is promising if the very thought of entering a busy roundabout makes you nervous.
Stealing a Tesla just got harder thanks to a new update
Last month, an unlucky Tesla owner managed to record his own Model S being stolen via a sneaky keyfob "relay" tablet hack, part of a wave of European thefts in which the vehicles were never recovered. Tesla has now fought back via a new Model 3 update that might not stop the original theft, but will make it possible for owners and police to track their stolen cars.
Tesla will bring the Model 3 to Europe with a CCS port
It looks like Tesla has already started preparing for the Model 3's launch in European markets. The automaker will start displaying its relatively affordable electric vehicle in European showrooms this week, and it has already sent out invitations to reservation holders. In addition, Tesla's head of global charging infrastructure, Drew Bennett, has confirmed to AutoExpress that the European version of Model 3 will come with CCS (Combined Charging System) fast charging-compatible ports when it arrives in the market in 2019.
Tesla's Model 3 gets quicker cornering with 'Track Mode'
Tesla has just made your Model 3 Performance EV a helluva lot more fun with the launch of Track Mode. The software shuts down all the traction control protection that normally prevents wheel slip in order to keep your car between the scenery. With that turned off, the dual electric motors are repurposed to improve cornering and, judging by Tesla's demo video below, transform the Model 3 into a drifting machine.
Tesla's Model 3 Key Fob arrives without 'passive entry' feature
We knew a Tesla Model 3 key fob was coming thanks to an FCC application, now it's available to buy via the EV-maker's website for $150. Or at least it was -- the sleek, black clicker emblazoned with the Tesla logo has already sold out. But, as Electrek notes, the miniature device comes with a huge catch: it doesn't have "passive entry." That's the ability to unlock the vehicle by simply approaching it with the key on you. It's an odd omission considering why it came to be in the first place.
SEC subpoenas Tesla over Model 3 production claims
The investigation into Tesla's Model 3 production forecasts appears to be intensifying. Tesla has confirmed receiving an SEC subpoena requesting data for "certain projections" the automaker made for Model 3 manufacturing in 2017, as well as additional public statements on production and Musk's statements on taking the company private. The company stressed that there hadn't been any conclusion of "wrongdoing" in ongoing government investigations, but the subpoena suggested that financial regulators were concerned enough to look into the matter.
Tesla's Summon upgrade turns vehicles into remote-controlled cars
Tesla's self-parking Summon feature is getting an upgrade, and it'll be ready in less than six weeks. In a series of tweets, chief executive Elon Musk revealed that the beefed-up feature will now allow vehicles to drive around parking lots, find empty spots and read parking signs. "Car will drive to your phone location & follow you like a pet if you hold down summon button on Tesla app," he wrote, without giving any further details.
Tesla publishes the parts catalog for its electric cars
Unless you're changing tires, you generally can't fix a Tesla car yourself -- not when the brand has made it difficult just to get documentation, let alone parts. It's inching in the right direction, though. Tesla has published its parts catalog, detailing all the components for cars ranging from the original Roadster to the Model 3. You'll even see schematics showing how everything fits together.
Tesla faces intensifying FBI investigation over Model 3 production
Tesla's legal headaches aren't over just because of its settlement with the SEC. The Wall Street Journal has learned that the FBI is stepping up a criminal investigation into whether or not Tesla "misstated" its Model 3 production capabilities and misled investors as far back as early 2017. The company had acknowledged a "voluntary request" for documents from the Justice Department on September 18th, but it now appears that investigators are concentrating on the Model 3 and escalating their efforts. They recently asked for testimony from former Tesla staff in the case, for instance.
Tesla raises the price of its most affordable Model 3
That slightly more affordable Model 3 is no longer quite as much of a deal as it was just days ago. Tesla has raised the price of the EV with rear-wheel drive and the Mid Range battery by $1,000, bringing the sticker to $46,000. The company didn't explain the move in a statement to Electrek, but it did say it "will honor" the original pricing for anyone whose order is in progress. This might not be a deal breaker in the price category, but it may come as an unwelcome surprise.
Tesla shelves the full self-driving option you couldn't use
Ever since Tesla hinted at its autonomous future, there's been a "Full Self-Driving Capability" checkbox on the order page for its cars -- spend several grand and your car would one day steer itself. It has yet to materialize, though, and now Tesla has removed the option from its site. You can still order it "off menu" for a week as of Musk's tweet (approximately October 25th) or add it to your existing car for $5,000, but new customers will have to 'settle' for Enhanced Autopilot.
Now you can buy a Model 3 for $45,000 before incentives
The Tesla Model 3 was originally announced with a promise that the car could be purchased for as little as $35,000 before federal and state tax incentives were applied, but until now, the cheapest model started at $49,000. Now, Elon Musk announced that his company has added a "mid range battery" option with a price that starts at $45,000 before incentives are applied. According to the exec, if you apply federal tax credits of $7,500 (hopefully you reserved one already) plus California's state tax rebate its price drops to $35k. In response to questions, Musk tweeted that "It's a long range battery with fewer cells." The still-cheaper-yet "standard" battery option that should cut the price more is still months away from availability, while the company can deliver this version (which is equipped with just rear wheel drive instead of a dual-motor AWD setup) right now. If you check its revamped ordering page right now, the next-highest priced model jumps up to $54,000 before incentives since it includes AWD -- an option that Electrek notes has seen a price bump back up to $5,000 -- but if you'd prefer the combination of a long-range battery with an estimated 310 mile range and RWD for $49k, it's still available for ordering "off menu" for a few days. Opting for this mid-range battery means living with an estimated 260 mile range, which should still be more than enough to cover most commutes and trips several times over.
The Senate is considering extending EV tax credits
As US senate majority leader Mitch McConnell debates making cuts to social security and medicare, Senator Dean Heller (R) of Nevada is hoping to keep electric car sales zipping forward with a new bill that would extend tax credits until 2022.
Tesla reportedly made its 100,000th Model 3
Tesla may have just hit a symbolic milestone in its quest to speed up Model 3 production: according to an Electrek source, the company has produced its 100,000th Model 3. It technically reached the mark earlier in the week if you count engineering and release candidate cars, according to the tipster, but regular manufacturing also reached the figure on October 13th. Tesla declined to comment, although it typically only provides production numbers after every quarter (like it did on October 2nd).
Tesla's big software update arrives without new AutoPilot features
Tesla is rolling out a much-anticipated software update to every "Model S, Model X and Model 3 ever built" that will everything from Atari games hidden as Easter Eggs to 360-degree surround camera views, even as some driving assistance features are on hold. There's a new app launcher, and users can switch between apps by swiping up or down. Once you have this update (downloaded via WiFi, you can schedule it for convenience), you'll be able to trigger software updates remotely via the app, send navigations to the car's software from your phone's mapping apps, and let passengers control media playback using their phones.
Tesla hits Model 3 production goals for Q3
Today, Tesla reported that it met its ambitious Model 3 production goal for the third quarter of 2018. It produced 80,142 vehicles during Q3 of 2018, which is 50 percent more than the company's all-time record set during Q2 of this year. This included 53,239 Model 3 vehicles. The company delivered 83,500 vehicles to customers during the same quarter; 55,840 were Model 3s. Clearly, the company is moving past its Model 3 production woes, as Tesla delivered roughly twice as many Model 3s in Q3 as it had in all previous quarters combined.
