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Tesla's Model 3 can now use DC fast chargers across the US
Tesla has finally made it possible for Model 3 owners to use DC fast chargers that aren't part of its own Supercharger network. It just released an update for the EV that adds compatibility with all "CHAdeMO" DC fast chargers across North America. Now, Model 3 owners can pay $450 for the same adapter that's been available to Model S and Model X owners for a long time now, and get a fast charge at nearly any third-party station.
Tesla granted tariff exemption on Japanese aluminum for battery cells
Tesla has won an exemption from paying the 10 percent tariffs placed on imported aluminum from Japan. It filed a request with the Commerce Department in April for a tariff exclusion on 10 million kilograms of the metal per year from Nippon Light Metal Co for battery cells made in the Nevada Gigafactory. The department approved it this month.
NTSB says Tesla's Autopilot was active during fatal Model 3 crash
The National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report that Tesla's Autopilot system was active at the time of a fatal Model 3 crash in Delray Beach, Florida. Data showed the car's driver, who died in the March 1st incident, activated Autopilot around 10 seconds before the collision. In the approximately eight seconds before the Tesla crashed into a semi truck, the car didn't detect the driver's hands on the wheel.
Tesla's $35,000 Model 3 is only available as a special order
Tesla has halted online sales of the $35,000 Model 3, and will only sell it by telephone or in its stores, the EV maker announced. On top of that, it has made the Autopilot driver assist features standard on all its vehicles (except the aforementioned $35K model) and increased prices accordingly. The Model 3 Standard Plus, for instance, used to cost $37,500 plus $3,000 for Autopilot, and it now starts at $39,500.
Tesla adds '2048' and Atari’s 'Super Breakout' to its dashboards
Tesla is adding more free games to the dashboard display on Model S, Model X and Model 3 cars. Super Breakout and 2048 are joining other Atari classics Missile Command, Asteroids, Lunar Lander and Centipede, which Tesla added in August. To date, hundreds of thousands of people have played those games, according to the automaker.
Tesla drops annual servicing for 'as needed' repair model
Tesla has quietly changed its EV maintenance policy, going from regularly scheduled service to an "as-needed" model, according to its "Car Maintenance" page. Before, it called for "recommended" service every 12 months and 12,500 for the Model S and X, and 24 months or 25,000 miles for the Model 3. Now, however, it simply says "your Tesla does not require annual maintenance and regular fluid changes," and instead recommends periodic servicing of things like brake fluid, air conditioning and filters.
Tesla drops mid-range Model 3 battery option
Now that the $35,000 Model 3 is here, Tesla appears ready to streamline its options. The automaker has removed the Mid Range battery option from its Model 3 configuration tool, leaving a gap between the Standard Range and Standard Range Plus models (220 and 240 miles of range respectively) and the 310 miles or more of Long Range versions. The change applies in countries where the full Model 3 lineup is available, including the US, Canada and Mexico.
Tesla's change of heart will bring Autopilot prices 'back to normal'
Tesla's partial about-face on vehicle pricing will also have an effect on Autopilot pricing. Elon Musk has confirmed that prices for Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving will "revert to normal" on March 18th. The company shouldn't have dropped prices in the first place, Musk said, and only did so "because some simply couldn't afford it." Some existing owners felt as if they'd been ripped off after paying higher prices for features that still weren't fully unlocked.
Tesla decides to keep more stores open and raise prices instead
After saying that it will close most of its stores and go online-only, Tesla has changed its mind. The automaker announced that it will "only close about half as many stores" as it previously said, while reducing staff in some locations. In order to keep its revenue on track, Tesla added that it will raise vehicle prices "by about 3 percent on average worldwide."
Tesla extends delivery times for base Model 3 by one month
If you thought sales for the fabled $35,000 Model 3 would quickly lead to a backlog... well, you guessed correctly. Tesla has extended US delivery times for the base EV by a full month, with new orders arriving in six to eight weeks instead of the original two to four. You'll have to shell out for the $37,000 Standard Range Plus variant if you want your Model 3 sooner.
US agencies investigate fatal Tesla Model 3 crash in Florida
American safety officials are looking into the circumstances surrounding another fatal Tesla crash. Both the NTSB and the NHTSA have confirmed that they're investigating a collision between a Model 3 and a semi truck in Delray Beach, Florida on March 1st. According to the police report, the truck was turning left to enter a main thoroughfare when the Model 3 crashed into the semi's trailer, shearing off the car's roof and killing the driver. It's not certain if Autopilot was active, although the Model 3 kept traveling for more than 500 yards before coming to a stop.
Tesla cuts Autopilot upgrade prices for existing EV owners
Tesla's across-the-board price drops have been helpful for new car buyers, but painful for veteran owners who just watched their EV's value plunge. There's some consolation, however: Tesla is lowering the prices of its autonomy upgrades. Anyone who bought a vehicle before the price drops can buy the Autopilot upgrade for $2,000 after delivery, or half as much as before, while springing for the Full Self-Driving pack on top of that costs $3,000 instead of the earlier $7,000. You're saving about $6,000 if you go all-in, Tesla said.
Tesla allegedly 'gutted' Model 3 delivery team with recent job cuts
When Tesla laid off 7 percent of its full-time staff in January, it might have dealt a serious blow to one division in particular. Reuters sources claim Tesla dismissed 150 of the 230 Las Vegas workers involved in delivering Model 3 units to North America buyers. Reportedly, the cuts are a response to tapering demand -- there are "not enough deliveries" to justify having that many people on hand, one tipster said. There are other delivery people in other locations, but this would still represent a significant cut.
Elon Musk: Model 3 price now starts at $35k -- after incentives
If you visit Model 3's "Design Your Car" page, you'll notice that it looks a bit more affordable than before. Tesla has lowered its price across versions by $1,100, so you can now get the mid-range battery option for $42,900 before incentives. Meanwhile, the car's long-range version now costs $49,900, while the performance option will set you back $60,900 before savings. Elon Musk said that means Model 3 now has a starting price of $35,000, though that's after you apply tax credits and fuel savings -- you'll have to wait a bit more for a Tesla car with a $35,000 base price. "We're doing everything we can to get there," Musk tweeted. "It's a super hard grind."
Tesla's Model 3 leads it to another profitable quarter
Sometimes it's best to come out and say things won't be as good as they were last quarter. That's what Tesla CEO Elon Musk did on January 18th and today's fourth-quarter results are pretty much on par with that post from two weeks ago.
Tesla gets clearance to begin Model 3 deliveries in Europe
Tesla expects to start delivering the Long Range Battery version of the Model 3 in Europe in February after getting the go-ahead from Dutch vehicle authority RDW. As such, it can sell cars across the continent without having to win approval from individual EU member states. It had seemed the regulatory thumbs up was imminent after Tesla opened up Model 3 orders to left-hand drive countries across Europe this month.
Tesla is laying off 7 percent of its full-time employees
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that the company is laying off 7 percent of its full-time employees in an effort to cut costs and increase profits. He revealed that while Tesla will run a second consecutive quarterly profit, it will be less than what it earned last quarter. Over the past year or two, Tesla had massively increased its workforce to try to fulfill hundreds of thousands of orders. "We grew by 30 percent last year, which is more than we can support," he said, adding that the company will only retain the most critical temps and contractors.
Tesla’s Navigate on Autopilot was my CES road trip companion
I love a good road trip. I've spent hundreds of thousands of miles in cars during my life, and the best times were when I knew it would be hours or even days before I reached my destination. Typically a friend (or friends) or family members would accompany me, but on a few occasions, it was just me, my music collection -- and scenery screaming past me at 70 miles per hour.
Tesla offers Model 3 as a reward to security researchers
The annual Pwn2Own contest at the CanSecWest conference in Vancouver, Canada usually ends with security researchers taking home the laptops they've exploited. This year they could take home a Tesla.
Tesla starts taking Model 3 orders in select European countries
Tesla's Model 3 design studio is now open for everyone in left-hand drive European countries, and that means it's now taking orders from the public in those markets. The automaker started displaying the new vehicle in European showrooms in November 2018, hinting at its impending release. While it began taking orders from reservation holders in December, only those who plunked down a $1,000 reservation fee were given access to the design studio. Now, anybody can visit Tesla's website and go through the customization process to see how much the set-up they want will cost.
