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There are a number of new Tesla tales this week, and I’m rolling all of them collectively right here right into a Tesla information sandwich for you. There’ll in all probability be one other Tesla story pop up earlier than I get this printed. If that’s the case, we’ll get that one tonight or this weekend.
New Tesla Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary
This morning, Tesla despatched out an electronic mail to individuals on its electronic mail checklist (like me) to tell us there’s a brand new Mannequin 3 choice available on the market. That’s the Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary with rear-wheel drive (RWD). Beforehand, you can purchase a Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary with all-wheel drive (AWD) or a Mannequin 3 (not Lengthy Vary) RWD.
Again when the Tesla Mannequin 3 was fairly new to the market, in 2018, there was a long-range RWD choice, and it was fairly fashionable, nevertheless it didn’t final lengthy and Tesla separated the higher-cost Mannequin 3 from the lower-cost Mannequin 3 extra distinctly — presumably, to squeeze extra income out of individuals wanting extra vary. (Curiously, three of our writers received that unique Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary RWD.)
As I wrote a pair days in the past, Tesla appears to be dealing with shopper demand challenges within the US, Europe, and China. The corporate retains looking for new strategies of stimulating extra demand — providing Full Self Driving (FSD) transfers to new autos, slicing costs, providing artificially low rates of interest, and so on. — and this looks as if one other try and fire up extra demand, or at the least shake some potential patrons off the fence and into their nearest Tesla supply heart.
What is definitely being supplied on this case? “Journey as much as 363 miles (EPA est.) on a single cost and benefit from the efficiency and dealing with of our rear-wheel drive powertrain for longer,” Tesla writes. “Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary Rear-Wheel Drive is right here, beginning at $29,990* after federal tax credit score and estimated gasoline financial savings.” That was the total pitch within the electronic mail.
It’s actually a compelling supply, so I assume it would certainly fire up a number of extra gross sales. Get one whereas they’re sizzling!
Tesla Robotaxi Reveal Reportedly Delayed
It’s been rumored or leaked that Tesla goes to delay its robotaxi reveal occasion for someday in October slightly than August 8. Reportedly, Tesla engineers want extra time to each construct and take a look at prototypes of the robotaxi.
Assuming that is true (and we’ll discover out quickly), it confirms some issues I and lots of others assumed. To start with, it appears to substantiate that this reveal occasion is for a robotaxi automobile idea, one thing by no means able to hit the streets and begin working in a metropolis close to you. For some motive, I noticed lots of people pondering that the 8/8 occasion would launch industrial Tesla robotaxi service someplace. That appeared most unlikely, and it appears way more unlikely now.
After all, it additionally tells us that Elon Musk’s estimate for when a robotaxi prototype may very well be prepared was overly optimistic, and one even has to surprise if it wasn’t a rush announcement with out a lot or any prep truly resulting in it. Was it only a sudden announcement to distract from dropping automobile gross sales at Tesla? Was it primarily based on speedy progress in FSD and confidence that now was the time to finalize a automobile design for robotaxi service? Perhaps we’ll get a report on that sooner or later.
Elon Musk’s Automotive & YouTubers Prioritized for Tesla FSD Enhancements?
One other report out this week reveals that Elon Musk’s automobile and sure “VIP” FSD testers on YouTube have been getting preferential therapy for FSD analysis, and thus additionally enhancements that may be seen on their common driving routes. “BI spoke with over a dozen present and former Tesla workers, all however one who spoke on situation of anonymity, who mentioned photographs and video clips from Musk’s Teslas acquired meticulous scrutiny, whereas knowledge from high-profile drivers like YouTubers acquired ‘VIP’ therapy in figuring out and addressing points with the Full Self-Driving software program. The result’s that Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD software program might higher navigate routes taken by Musk and different high-profile drivers, making their rides smoother and extra simple.”
I didn’t even should get to that half earlier than I spotted what the story should be about. Once I noticed the headline in a crew author chat, I wrote, “I haven’t learn the article but, however I collect it’s saying that Elon’s automobile will get particular therapy? That’s been speculated or was even revealed a pair years in the past. And it’s been one of many solely issues that has defined to me him raving about how significantly better it’s gotten once I haven’t seen such progress.” And relating to sure VIP YouTubers and X customers getting preferential consideration as properly, I added, “it’s why I ended being attentive to what others have been saying about it and began simply utilizing it myself earlier than I believed something.” For a very long time, I had seen tons of hype on social media about how significantly better FSD had gotten, however then once I’d use it, it will nonetheless behave horribly. Sooner or later, I simply determined it made no sense to comply with what these different FSD customers have been saying as a result of it didn’t match up with my actuality.
Nonetheless, model 12 was the exception. With model 12, FSD did enhance by leaps and bounds and received way more pure in its driving conduct. It nonetheless runs into issues, nevertheless it’s far, much better than it was beforehand.
I do now surprise if Elon’s automobile nonetheless will get preferential consideration and therapy, and if distinguished social media customers additionally nonetheless get “VIP” therapy.
Nonetheless, one of many greater points with this report, assuming it’s all true, is that optimizing FSD for distinguished YouTubers may very well be a approach of manipulating public opinion about FSD. Many have gone as far as to say that it’s a approach of defrauding clients and traders. I don’t actually discover myself in that camp, although. I believe that apart from an unlimited quantity of information and attempting to sift by means of it, whereas avoiding the noise, Elon Musk or others on the FSD crew pointed the broader crew to good, reliable FSD testers among the many public who they may study from and whose experiences may very well be used to enhance the expertise. Or possibly the reality is someplace in between and it’s some combination of the pessimistic and optimistic views of this information. Tell us what you assume and why.
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