When Tesla launched the Foundation Series version of the Cybertruck, it promised that it would come with a special roof-mounted LED off-road light bar. However, a newly filed lawsuit in the US contends that many owners did not receive these light bars, and says that some wouldn’t have purchased their trucks had they known the light bar wouldn’t be included.

The lawsuit was filed by plaintiff Eric Schwartz in California. He alleges that he purchased a Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast in December 2023 and paid an extra $20,000 for the Foundation Series version. These vehicles were supposed to be equipped with several upgrades, including the light bar positioned just above the windshield.

Read: Tesla’s Big Promise On Self-Driving Just Opened The Door To Lawsuits

However, according to Schwartz, his Cybertruck was delivered without the LED light bar, and while he has repeatedly contacted the automaker, it has apparently refused to give it to him.

The lawsuit contends that the plaintiff suffered an ‘injury in fact’ because Tesla took his money but did not provide the products it had promised. Through the class action, Schwartz aims to represent all Cybertruck purchasers in California who bought a model that was supposed to include the off-road light bar, but was not delivered with one.

The class action also claims that buyers may not have purchased their Cybertrucks had they known Tesla was advertising the light bars without the intention of delivering them with the vehicles.

Just Another Lawsuit

This isn’t the only recent lawsuit to be filed against Tesla in California. Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Rita Lin said the automaker must answer to a certified class action that alleges the automaker misled drivers about the self-driving abilities of its vehicles. The lawsuit claims that Tesla failed to live up to the promises made by the company on its website, in blog posts, on social media, and in comments made by boss Elon Musk.

Elon Musk finally addressed what so many have been asking for. The Model YL, an elongated version of the Model Y, was launched in China recently, but until now, we haven’t heard about whether or not it would actually come to America. The long and the short of it is, very likely next year.

The Model Y is Tesla’s best-selling car. In fact, it’s one of the best-selling cars worldwide across all brands. It’s not surprising then that fans would want the new six-seater version wherever they can get it. That kind of automatic demand made bringing the car to the U.S. seem like a no-brainer, and it still is, unless Musk finally accomplishes what he’s been promising for several years.

More: Tesla’s Model Y L Gets Bigger And Pricier With New Six-Seat Layout

That promise is full-scale Level 5 autonomy to the point that it would negate the need for the Model YL. If that sounds a bit far-fetched, don’t feel bad. Musk has notoriously over-promised and under-delivered. Still, he finally addressed US production of the Model YL and brought up autonomy again.

In response to another person asking about the car on X he said “This variant of the Model Y doesn’t start production in the US until the end of next year. Might not ever, given the advent of self-driving in America.” No doubt, Tesla’s Robotaxi program is rolling out relatively fast, and faster than some cities say it legally can, but it’s far from a polished Level 5 system.

This variant of the Model Y doesn’t start production in the US until the end of next year.

Might not ever, given the advent of self-driving in America.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 20, 2025

Every Robotaxi shuttling passengers around has an actual Tesla employee inside acting as a safety officer. On top of that, it begs the question that Musk didn’t respond to in his comment section. “Wouldn’t people with a lot of kids still want a 3-row SUV even with self-driving?” That didn’t come from some Tesla hater, either, but from the person the richest man in the world responded to in the first place.

Nevertheless, Musk isn’t saying exactly how larger families are supposed to get around, even if Robotaxi takes off. For now, expect Model YL production to begin in the USA late in 2026, or maybe even in early 2027.

Credit: Tesla

According to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index Automobile Study, Americans are becoming less satisfied with their vehicles. The overall satisfaction index dropped one point this year to 79.

Mainstream brands held steady at 79, while luxury brands slipped a point as they fell to 80. The biggest drop came from smaller brands, which are grouped into an “others” category, as they plunged 9% to 74.

More: New Car Owners Overwhelmed By Modern Technology

Jumping into specifics, Subaru was deemed the most satisfying brand with a score of 85. It was followed by Mazda and Toyota in second with 82, while Buick, GMC, and Honda tied for third at 81.

Stellantis had a dismal showing as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram all fell. In fact, all four brands found themselves at the bottom of the list with Chrysler and Ram tied for dead last at 69.

2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index For Mainstream Brands

ACSI

Interestingly, satisfaction with most vehicle related components and experiences was largely unchanged. However, there were drops related to technology and safety. The latest study also introduced two new categories – expected future resale or trade-in value and driving distance on a full charge or full tank of gas – and consumers weren’t exactly thrilled with either, especially for EVs.

On the luxury side of the equation, Lexus was top dog with a score of 87. They were followed by Mercedes (82) as well as Cadillac and Tesla, which tied for third at 81. BMW finished last with a score of 75 and they dropped four points from 2024.

2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index For Luxury Brands

ACSI

Luxury buyers were less satisfied with a number of things including driving performance, exteriors, interiors, and technology. There were also drops in safety and dependability.

Aside from the mainstream versus luxury divide, people were less satisfied with hybrids and EVs. Hybrids fell two points to 80, while electric vehicles dropped four points to fall to 73. This stands in contrast to gas-powered models, which held steady with a satisfaction index of 80.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index noted that with 22% of borrowers opting for 84-month loans, there will likely be an increased emphasis on reliability and dependability as consumers are holding onto their vehicles for longer. Ram spotted this shift awhile ago and they recently launched a new 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.

ACSI

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, along with its ambitious claims, has repeatedly drawn the company into controversy, and it now faces yet another round. The company is once again facing legal trouble, this time after a U.S. District Judge in California ruled that Tesla must answer a certified class action alleging it misled drivers about the self-driving abilities of its vehicles. Tesla had argued the case should be dismissed, but the court disagreed.

Read: Musk’s Robotaxi Pitch Just Backfired And Shareholders Are Suing

The automaker has consistently promoted the idea that all vehicles it built since 2016 came equipped with hardware capable of full self-driving, albeit under supervision. These assurances were made across Tesla’s website, blog posts, social media channels, and directly by chief executive Elon Musk.

In practice, though, the cars have not lived up to those promises. Tesla also asserted that vehicles with its Full Self-Driving package would eventually deliver Level 4 and Level 5 autonomy, but neither has materialized.

Judge’s Assessment

U.S. District Judge Rita Lin noted that claims about Tesla vehicles lacking the necessary hardware for autonomous driving, combined with the company’s failure to “demonstrate a long-distance autonomous drive with any of its vehicles,” provide grounds for lawsuits brought by two groups of drivers.

Tesla does not engage in typical mass advertising, and the Judge noted that ordinarily, the channels it used to promote its self-driving hardware and software may not be “enough to establish a class-wide exposure for a traditional car manufacturer.”

However, she said it’s reasonable to infer that class members went to Tesla’s website for information on its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology. She added that thousands of people likely saw a claim on Tesla’s website from October 2016 to August 2024 that said its vehicles contained the hardware necessary for fully autonomous driving.

Tesla’s Defense

Tesla countered that it is unreasonable to assume all class members saw those statements. The automaker also argued there is no unified proof showing the claims were significant enough to influence purchasing decisions, according to Reuters.

The class actions in California include drivers who purchased the Full Self-Driving Package from May 19, 2017, to July 31, 2024, and who opted out of Tesla’s arbitration agreement, as well as drivers who purchased the package from October 20, 2016, to May 19, 2017.

In the US, Tesla’s arbitration clause requires all disputes to be resolved through arbitration rather than in court, unless a purchaser or lessee opts out of the clause within 30 days of buying or leasing a Tesla vehicle.

Long-wheelbase vehicles are popular in China and Tesla has finally hopped on the bandwagon with the Model Y L. It’s a six-seat crossover geared towards growing families.

Jumping right into the numbers, the electric crossover measures 195.9 inches (4,976 mm) long, 83.8 inches (2,129 mm) wide, and 65.7 inches (1,668 mm) tall. This means the Model Y L is 7 inches (179 mm) longer than the regular model and is 1.7 inches (44 mm) taller.

More: 2025 Tesla Model Y Debuts With Cybercab Looks And Turn Signal Stalks

Despite being significantly larger, the vehicle is instantly recognizable as a Model Y. However, the long-wheelbase variant is distinguished by a revised greenhouse, longer rear doors, and unique 19-inch wheels. It also has a more pronounced rear spoiler.

The updates continue inside as the 15.4-inch infotainment system has been replaced by a larger 16-inch display. More notably, there are second-row captain’s chairs that have heating and ventilation as well as power-folding armrests and a power-folding seat function.

The heated third-row seat looks a little tight, but it folds flat at the push of a button. We can also see rear air vents and cup holders.

If cargo is more important than people, you’ll find 89.7 cubic feet (2,539 liters) of storage space. That’s 14.2 cubic feet (401 liters) more than the regular Model Y.

Other notable highlights include a panoramic glass roof and acoustic glass to keep the cabin hushed. They’re joined by an 18-speaker audio system and an 8-inch rear display.

Tesla only revealed a handful of powertrain details, but confirmed the Model Y L has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system and a CLTC range of 467 miles (751 km). The crossover can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds slower than its smaller sibling.

Given the larger dimensions, it’s not surprising to learn the crossover gains 212 lbs (96 kg) of weight to tip the scales at 4,603 lbs (2,088 kg). To cope with the increased mass, the Model Y L has an “upgraded suspension” that “allows for smooth and precise vehicle control in corners and on various terrains.”

The long versions starts at ¥339,000 ($47,199), which is only ¥25,500 ($3,550) more than the all-wheel drive Model Y. Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Prevention come standard, while two driver assistance packages give you more advanced options.

The updated Tesla Model 3 Highland arrived in August 2023 with a range of welcome upgrades, along with one, or depending on who you ask two, changes that proved far more divisive.

More: Tesla’s Longest Range EV Is Here But Not For You

Aside from the removal of the gear selector stalk, one of the most debated changes was Tesla’s decision to eliminate the traditional turn signal stalk in favor of steering wheel buttons, mirroring the approach used in the Model S and Model X. After nearly two years of customer feedback, the company has chosen to bring the stalk back, at least in the Chinese market.

The official configurator in China now shows the turn signal stalk as standard equipment across all Model 3 trims. For existing owners who never warmed up to the steering wheel buttons, Tesla is also preparing a factory-backed solution that goes beyond aftermarket fixes.

Factory-Backed Retrofit

Beginning in mid-September, an accessory called the “Model 3 Steering Wheel Turn Signal Lever Modification” will be offered through Tesla’s online shop and app in China. Priced at ¥2,499 ($349), the upgrade must be installed at a Tesla Service Center, where technicians will fit the stalk using specialized tools.

Unsurprisingly, the stalk design looks nearly identical to the one on the Model Y Juniper, which is slimmer and more streamlined than the pre-facelift Model 3 version. The upgrade also involves fitting a new steering wheel without turn signal buttons, with Tesla offsetting costs by recycling the components returned by customers.

Tesla

Compatibility and Rollout

Initially, the accessory will only work on Model 3 Highland vehicles produced after February 7, 2025. Tesla has confirmed it will eventually expand compatibility to all Highland units. Considering the Model 3’s role as a global bestseller, it seems likely that similar offerings will eventually reach Europe and North America.

More: Tesla’s Screens Are About To Get Unreal Graphics

We don’t know whether the company plans to retrofit the Cybertruck, Model S and Model X with turn signal stalks in the future. For now, Tesla appears to be focusing on high-volume cars where customer sentiment has been strongest.

Aftermarket alternatives

During the two years without a factory option, third-party companies stepped in to fill the gap. Enhance Auto, for example, launched its own retrofit called S3XY Stalks, which gained traction among owners looking for a more traditional control setup.

Traffic in California isn’t often pleasant, but it was even worse than normal on Saturday night. Drivers on the southbound side of the 5 freeway saw something rare: a semi truck fully engulfed in flames that spread to new Teslas on the attached trailer. It took crews several hours to get the conflagration under control.

Road users reported the fire at around 5:35 p.m. local time. Based on the video of the scene, it appears as though the fire began on the truck itself and spread. In some footage, it’s clearly growing in and around the cab. Later on, it spreads up to the Tesla Model Y directly above the cab. From there, it seems that it worked its way back, damaging all but two cars on the trailer.

More: Xiaomi Says It’s ‘Totally Normal’ For Its New SUV’s Brakes To Catch On Fire

According to SignalCV, authorities confirmed that the driver escaped without injury. California Highway Patrol officers issued a SigAlert for two hours just before 6 p.m., but that ended up lasting far longer. At 10 p.m., it was still telling locals to expect a two-hour backup in the area. Some vehicles had to sit for so long that they ran out of fuel on the highway.

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A post shared by What’s Up Santa Clarita (@whatsupscv)

No doubt, the lithium-ion batteries onboard made putting the fire out harder than usual. Notably, it’s unclear at this point what started the fire to begin with. One person who claims to have seen the fire early on said that it began near the back tires of the truck. Reviewing topography from the area also shows a steep decline of several hundred feet on I-5 just before the location of the parked semi.

While we can’t be definitive, the combination of that statement and the steep decline suggests that overheated brakes could’ve played a role in the initial fire. At this point, we’ll have to wait for authorities to release additional information. We’re just happy that everyone escaped without injury.

https://t.co/XV0uOVqzzd pic.twitter.com/GkWjrykVo3

— Robert Garcia (@firechiefanf) August 17, 2025

Credit: FireChiefANF

Tesla owners are about to get a big upgrade in their cabins. A hacker says that the automaker is about to switch from one set of visuals to another. The new set of graphics could be akin to some of the most impressive video games on the market today. Notably, it would also mean that Tesla is following the lead of brands like Rivian, Volvo, and Ford.

Unreal Engine is a 3D creation tool built by Epic Games, and as the name suggests, it’s largely used in video game development. In recent years, it’s become more of a mainstay in other areas of the world, and if a new report is correct, soon it’ll also be in Teslas. Long-time hacker GreenTheOnly revealed updates to code that indicate Unreal Engine graphics are coming soon to Model S and Model X.

Read: Watch Sony Exec Drive Afeela EV With A PlayStation Controller

“Tesla is adding Unreal Engine-based AP viz (the one you see today is Godot-based). The binaries are already shipping, starting from firmware 2025.20 only on AMD-based S and X cars for now,” he said in a post on X. After a bit of work, he managed to get the system working on the main infotainment screen.

It appears as though users will have the freedom to interact with the car graphic, spin it around, and open and close certain bits. We fully expect these same graphics to end up in the Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) displays as well. One fan created what they expect it to look like, and you can see it below.

Cannot wait for tesla FSD Unreal Engine visual updates. Ray tracing on hw4 is gonna be bomb. pic.twitter.com/CD89WSCS7h

— Ian Smith 🟣 (@IanSamyth) August 8, 2025

Interestingly, Tesla isn’t leading the way or breaking new ground here. Rivian, Ford, Lotus, Volvo, and GMC all use Unreal Engine already, says The Verge. In fact, many will remember that GMC highlighted the technology during the launch of the Hummer EV. It’s a main part of how the large pickup displays mode changes, status updates, and other general information. Considering how good the display looks, it will probably be a welcome addition for Tesla users in the near future.

Ok, I am having a bit of trouble getting unreal engine to activate on the cluster, but it looks like on the main screen the car avatar is also controlled by it.
Now you can interact with it and it's getting somewhat more detailed.
See the example: pic.twitter.com/6lpXr6BK0K

— green (@greentheonly) August 9, 2025

Credit: GreenTheOnly

Tesla has just launched a new version of the Model 3 in China, and it has the longest driving range of any vehicle in the automaker’s lineup. The new model, previously referred to as the Model 3+, is now simply branded the Model 3 Long Range, offering an impressive CLTC range of up to 830 km or 516 miles.

Read: New Model 3+ Isn’t What You Think It Its. It’s Better

As you probably could have guessed, this isn’t a special version of the Model 3 built from the ground up. However, it is the first version in China to come standard with a 78.4 kWh NMC battery from LG, paired to an electric motor with 302 hp (225 kW). The regular Model 3 has a less powerful 260 hp (194 kW) motor.

Understanding the CLTC figures

It’s important to note that the CLTC, or China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle, is usually more generous than the WLTP cycle. This is because it’s designed to mimic driving in congested Chinese cities, meaning it includes more frequent stops and moments of deceleration where an EV can use regenerative braking.

We don’t know yet if Tesla has any plans to sell this Model 3 version elsewhere, but if it does, the range figure will inevitably drop.

Performance and pricing

It’s not just the driving range of the Model 3 Long Range that’s impressive. It can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in a very respectable 5.2 seconds. It’s also been priced very competitively, starting at 269,500 yuan or roughly $37,500.

That’s roughly 14 percent more than the base Model 3 in China, which offers a 634 km (394 miles) range on the CLTC cycle. If only we could get a Model 3 with this much range, and for this price, here in the US.

Tesla likely launched this new version in China because that’s where it’s facing the fiercest competition. Last year, Xiaomi introduced its SU7, and in range-focused Pro guise, it has a CLTC range of 830 km (516 miles) too, but it does rely on a much larger 94.3 kWh battery pack.

New York City is probably the worst place to drive a car in all of America. The area is so densely packed with people, cyclists, mopeds, and other cars that getting around can be genuinely panic-inducing for some. That’s the environment that Tesla wants to tackle with its autonomous driving tech. It seems that step one is openly hiring testers so that it can sort out how to handle the city.

The job listing on Tesla’s site for a ‘Vehicle Operator, Autopilot,’ includes the option of three shifts, day, afternoon, or night, with pay ranging from $25.25 to $30.60 an hour depending on position level. It comes with full benefits and is a full-time gig out of Flushing, New York.

A hands-on approach

Those hired on will drive what Tesla calls an engineering vehicle “for extended periods, conducting dynamic audio and camera data collection for testing and training purposes.”

Read: Rapper Fakes Video Claiming Tesla Deactivated His Cybertruck

The automaker expects the eventual hire to start and stop recording devices, perform minor equipment and software debugging, analyze data, provide feedback, write detailed daily drive reports, and most importantly, ensure the vehicle’s safety and operational status before every shift.

In other words, it appears as though the employee will have to be very focused throughout the day of driving, regardless of how much autonomy the car itself gets.

CNBC reports that Tesla hasn’t applied for a permit to test autonomous vehicles in the state. Notably, NYC officials confirmed that any company that does get a permit still needs a safety driver behind the wheel at all times. That could explain what Tesla is ultimately aiming for here.

Following a familiar playbook

After all, it’s already doing something similar in San Francisco, where it doesn’t have a permit to run an autonomous fleet. Instead, it has a safety driver in the driver’s seat and calls the service a ride-hailing operation.

Notably, all of this falls well within line with Elon Musk’s proclamation earlier this year that by 2026, half of the US would have access to Robotaxi. 

Robotaxi doesn’t flinch at weekend traffic https://t.co/hkZPWSn7hx

— Tesla Robotaxi (@robotaxi) July 20, 2025

An American rapper by the name of Big Huey has spectacularly claimed that Tesla remotely deactivated his Cybertruck after he released a song named after the controversial electric pickup. However, the whole saga has been staged, likely concocted as a way to generate PR for the song and drive traffic to the rapper’s Instagram page.

Things started over the weekend when Big Huey posted a video to Instagram alleging that Tesla had remotely shut down his Cybertruck, leaving him stranded on the side of a highway. The rapper shows the infotainment screen of the EV displaying a bright red and white warning, reading ‘Tesla Cybertruck De-Activated’. It also says ‘Critical issue detected, contact customer service,’ and instructs the rapper to ‘Comply with cease & desist to re-activate.’

Read: Why The US Army Is Preparing To Blow Up Two New Cybertrucks

According to the rapper, he was “stranded as (explicit),” and couldn’t move the truck. The post has generated a huge amount of attention online, generating more than 112,000 likes. A comment, reading ‘U missed ur payments bro,’ has even been liked over 51,000 times.

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A post shared by Detroit (@bighuey313)

Shortly after posting this video, Big Huey also shared a video that he says shows a cease and desist letter sent to him from Tesla. In the letter, the automaker takes issue with the rapper his the Cybertruck name in his song, and imagery related to the pickup. The letter ends with the signature of Dinna Eskin. However, both this letter and the original video are fake.

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A post shared by Detroit (@bighuey313)

Tesla Sets The Record Straight

Tesla took to X and Instagram to confirm that the clip of the Cybertruck being stranded on the highway was faked, confirming that it “does NOT disable vehicles remotely.” Additionally, the claimed cease and desist letter used the old title of Eskin as the Sr. Director and Deputy General Counsel for Tesla, whereas she is now VP of Legal at Tesla.

In addition, a Redditor was able to replicate the red and white screen that shows on Big Huey’s Tesla by plugging in a laptop and typing out a message to be displayed on the screen.

Yet another Cybertruck remotely bricked by Tesla.
byu/joonatoona inCyberStuck

Despite getting a facelift earlier this year, the formerly dominant Model Y has seen demand sagging, but Tesla has some tricks up its sleeve to help grab buyers’ attention. One is a Performance variant, something absent from the electric crossover’s lineup since the spring. Another is a basic entry-level trim. And then there’s this: the long-wheelbase Model Y L.

The L is already on sale in China and is due to make its European debut later this year. It gains around 6 inches (150 mm) of wheelbase over the 113.8 inches (2,890 mm) on the current Model Y that is used to add a third row of seats, most likely in a 2+2+2 configuration.

Related: This Could Be The Fastest Model Y Ever But Tesla Won’t Tell You

Although both US and European Model Ys were previously available with the option of a third row, it was pretty cramped as the wheelbase was the same and the feature wasn’t offered on the facelifted ‘Juniper’. Bringing a third row back, only this time with extra legroom, should improve the take-up rate and is vital in Europe, because the Model X was recently discontinued in the region.

The overall shape of the L is very similar to the stock Model Y’s, but the L’s stretch is evident in the shape of the rear door. On the SWB variant the wheelarch cuts a big chunk out of the door, but on the L the shutline is almost in front of the wheel. From the B pillar forward, however, the two Model Ys will be identical, both featuring the new LED light bar and slim headlights that arrived with the February facelift.

There’s another little L giveaway, though, one that you’ll spot even if you don’t get a look at the longer profile. And it’s a detail that looks like it ought to be fitted to the range-topping Model Y Performance that’s also due to launch later this year. Instead of a flat spoiler jutting out from below the rear window on the hatch, the L gets a ducktail spoiler worthy of an entry in a BMW tuner’s catalog.

Perhaps the L’s subtly different shape demands more stability at high speeds, not that it’s any speedier than the regular Model Y. In fact, due to a slight increase in curb weight it should, in theory, be fractionally slower than the dual-motor, AWD short-wheelbase model, which Tesla says can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.8 seconds.

SHProshots

Compared with their predecessors from a decade ago, today’s EVs go further, charge faster and have far more charging stations to choose from, but some would-be buyers still cite range anxiety as a reason for not going electric. And the results of a new study investigating the real range of EVs currently on sale suggests those fears are entirely justifiable.

The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) picked five EVs from a mix of brands as part of its government-funded four-year test designed to arm the nation’s car buyers with honest data. After subjecting each of the electric cars to a real-world driving route it found one of models delivered 23 percent less range than its maker claims.

Related: After 100K Miles, VW’s EV Barely Lost Range Thanks To One Trick

That car, the BYD Atto 3, only achieved 229 miles (369 km) before needing a recharge, representing a 69-mile (111 km) shortfall on the Chinese automaker’s 298-mile (480 km) official figure. Tesla’s Model 3 didn’t tell quite so big a lie, but it also failed to live up to its official range figures by a fairly large margin considering the tests weren’t carried out in the Arctic. The 274 miles (441 km) it achieved was 14 percent lower than Tesla’s 319-mile (513 km) claim.

Inconsistent Accuracy

But the big takeaway from the investigation isn’t that all EV range claims are wildly inaccurate. All five cars delivered fewer miles than advertized, and the BYD was wildly off. But one of the cars very nearly matched its official range, falling just 5 percent short, and it’s this difference across the brands, and cross models within the same brand, that’s the real problem for consumers.

If they knew that every car over-promised by 20 percent, it would be easier to make buying decisions than it is when you’ve no idea which brands to believe. It’s for this reason that these kind of independent tests are so useful for buyers looking at spending tens of thousands of dollars on a new car.

Standout Performer

The AAA’s test champ was the Smart #3, whose 268-mile (432 km) true range was only 14 miles (23 km) out. Kia’s EV6 and the Tesla Model Y also performed relatively well, each returning 8 percent less range than claimed.

AAA

Remember a couple of years back when Hyundai and Kia owners were scared to take their cars out of the garage due to the skyrocketing theft rates? Those owners sleep easier these days thanks to beefed up onboard security, and the insurance industry has a new least-favorite car. It’s the Camaro ZL1, which is a staggering 39 times more likely than the average car in the US to be stolen, according to a new study.

Related: How Hyundai And Kia Sparked America’s Largest Drop In Car Thefts In 40 Years

The supercharged Chevy muscle car tops the list of cars with the highest theft rates by a wide margin. It’s so bad it makes even the second-place Acura TLX – 21 times more likely to get stolen – seem as safe as houses in comparison.

And the ZL1 wasn’t the only Camaro on the list from the Highway Loss Data Institute. The regular Camaro placed third with a 13x theft rate, the study’s authors noting that models built after the arrival of a push-button starter in 2016 are particularly prone to disappearing.

Why Muscle Cars Attract Thieves

“Muscle cars have often topped this list, as thieves are attracted to vehicles with high horsepower,” said Matt Moore, chief insurance operations officer at HLDI. “That also helps explain why the more expensive, more powerful ZL1 is stolen so much more often than the standard Camaro.”

But if the hp count provided the motive, thieves’ ability to clone Camaro keys provided the means. GMC’s Sierra 2500 crew cab is the worst offending truck on the list (10x the average rate) and piles further shame on GM’s anti-theft tech, and after another appearance by an Acura TLX (2WD, 8x), it’s back to The General again for the GMC Sierra 3500 (7.4x) and Chevy Silverado 3500 (6.4x).

GM’s Dominance In The Rankings

GM dominates the top 20, in fact, with nine vehicles on the board, including the Cadillac Escalade (20th place, 2.6x). Stellantis has five, but European premium brands do relatively well, BMW, Mercedes and Land Rover only meriting one black mark each for the X7, S-Class and Range Rover.

Individual Hyundai and Kia models don’t figure anywhere on the list of 20 now that the Korean automakers have added electronic immobilizers. The theft claims were 52 percent lower for cars with the upgrade, though around 40 percent of owners still haven’t had the fix and the brands’ vehicles are still five times more likely to get stolen than the average car.

No One Wants To Steal EVs

At the other end of the scale, Teslas dominated the list of 20 cars with the lowest claim frequencies, with the Model 3 coming out top due to a claim frequency 1/100th of the average. And they weren’t the only electrified vehicles in attendance. In total there were eight EVs on the table and four hybrids, proving that thieves prefer traditional ICE-powered cars.

VEHICLES WITH HIGHEST THEFT CLAIMS

IIHS/HLDI

VEHICLES WITH HIGHEST THEFT CLAIMS

H/T to Road & Track

Imagine waking up one morning to find what appear to be unsold overflow vehicles from your local dealership parked all over your street. That’s essentially what some residents in Signal Hill, California, believe is going on. The dealer in question just happens to be Tesla, and the cars appear to be old stock with paper tags that are now overflowing onto public streets.

Also: Tesla Dumping Unsold Cybertrucks At Mall Parking Lot And The City’s Fed Up

One resident told SF Gate that “it seemed like they just appeared overnight” and that at one point she counted 24 scattered throughout her neighborhood. That’s a lot of cars anywhere, but these vehicles are making a bad problem even worse. Parking in Signal Hill, like most anywhere in Los Angeles County, is tough to find.

Parking Limits, Loopholes, and Local Frustration

Evidently, it’s not just the local residents who are noticing the issue. Parking enforcement has added warnings to some of the cars in question. Legally speaking, they are allowed to be there, though they may not park in any one spot for more than 72 hours consecutively.

According to the resident mentioned above, the cars “seem to move fairly regularly to avoid being ticketed.”

Why would Tesla make a move like this? The automaker has a dealership in the heart of Signal Hill. It’s well known for using parking lots to store excess overflow, too. For over a year, it has used an abandoned mall in Missouri as an overflow lot. It got into hot water over a similar plan in Michigan earlier this year. We’ve seen it do something similar in Miami, too, with much smaller lots.

Tesla uses the in process demolished chesterfield mall to store vehicles. Very ironic really. $TSLA pic.twitter.com/NNtfb1zykE

— Kevin Melnuk (@KevinMelnuk) June 8, 2025

A Pattern That’s Hard to Ignore

While it hasn’t been confirmed that Tesla or its dealership is behind the parked cars in Signal Hill, it would be unusual for another organization to be responsible. The paper tags and consistent vehicle type suggest a single source, and Tesla’s past tactics point in a familiar direction.

SF Gate reached out to the local police, tow companies, and to the Tesla dealership, hoping to shed light on the situation, but nothing came of it. We reached out to Tesla itself but have yet to hear back. The company is notorious for ignoring press requests. At this point, it sounds like someone is going to have to ask one of the people moving the cars just what exactly is going on. 

The U.S. Air Force wants to blow up a pair of Tesla Cybertrucks. And no, this isn’t some new attempt by Donald Trump to take a hit at Elon Musk where it hurts. The reason is more straightforward: the U.S. government believes it could one day face adversaries using Cybertrucks on the battlefield. Now, it’s preparing to find out just how effective its weapons are against what Musk claims is a truck built to “survive the apocalypse.”

More: Cybertruck Suspension Mysteriously Explodes In Owner’s Driveway

Recently, the Air Force Test Center (AFTC) laid out its plans to acquire 33 vehicles for testing. Those tests will happen at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. As one might expect at such a place, the munitions on hand will be very serious. Interestingly, the AFTC doesn’t care what 31 of the 33 cars are, so long as two are Tesla Cybertrucks.

Why the Cybertruck?

That’s according to the document uncovered by The War Zone. In it, the center notes that the Cybertruck’s design, unpainted stainless steel exoskeleton, and 48-volt electrical system make it unlike anything else on the road.

These features could affect how the vehicle responds to missile impacts, which is exactly what the government wants to understand. What stands out, though, is that the military appears to be preparing for the possibility of actually facing Cybertrucks in combat.

The document specifically says “In the operating theatre it is likely the type of vehicles used by the enemy may transition to Tesla Cyber trucks [sic] as they have been found not to receive the normal extent of damage expected upon major impact.”

The document doesn’t spell out where the operating theatre is or who the enemy is. That said, it’s clear that the military isn’t the first to think of a militarized Cybertruck.

Not Just a Thought Experiment

A Chechen warlord got his hands on one last year and mounted a gun in the bed and talked about using it and others in the fight against Ukraine. Notably, other places around the world, such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, are all either set to get Cybertrucks in the near future or already have them. The message is clear: the Cybertruck is a genuine concern for the U.S. government if they find it on the battlefield. It’s preparing accordingly. 

It’s no secret that the values of many EVs fall off a cliff the moment they leave the showroom. However, the original owner of this 2023 Tesla Model 3 RWD is probably shaking their head and wondering where things went wrong after the car lost more than half of its value in just over 18 months and 35,500 miles (57,100 km).

Read: Tesla’s Latest Model 3 And Y Just Got Slammed

As an entry-level Model 3 RWD, this Tesla is fitted with its relatively small 57.5 kWh battery pack. However, it still gives the EV a respectable driving range of 272 miles (438 km), while sending juice to an electric motor with 271 hp and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm).

For most motorists out there, this is more than enough performance and more than enough range, particularly for a daily driver.

Not the Newest Version, But Still Well Equipped

As this is a 2023 Model 3 having being acquired new in late December of the same year, and not the updated Highland version, it misses out on he upgraded interior, as well as the more attractive new styling. But, that’s not to say it’s short on features, as it includes 18-inch wheels, the standard panoramic glass roof, heated front and rear seats, and the central 15-inch infotainment display.

Cars & Bids

Depreciation Hits Hard

The car was recently listed for sale through Cars & Bids with an original sticker price of $41,890. After attracting well over a dozen bids, it sold for a paltry $20,300. That’s some severe depreciation, particularly since the car is less than two years old.

Admittedly, it does have high mileage for its age, but 35,500 miles (57,100 km) is still relatively low for a used car, particularly one that’s worth just a touch over $20,000.

There’s no doubt that the arrival of the Model 3 refresh has impacted the resale value of original Model 3s. In addition, Elon Musk and the Tesla brand have become more divisive over the past year or so, due in large part to Musk’s deep involvement in politics.

Cars & Bids

Tesla and Elon Musk had hoped that the rollout of a long-awaited Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, would mark a major step forward for the company, bringing fully autonomous driving technology to the public. Instead, the Robotaxi has landed Tesla in hot water. Both Musk and the company are now named in a lawsuit alleging they concealed the risks of self-driving systems and inflated the automaker’s valuation.

Read: This City Could Be Tesla’s Toughest Robotaxi Challenge Yet

The proposed class action, filed by a group of shareholders, claims that Tesla’s Robotaxi vehicles in Austin have been seen behaving erratically, speeding, hopping curbs, swerving into the wrong lane, braking unpredictably, and even letting passengers off in the middle of busy roads, according to The Economic Times.

Shareholders Say the Tech Isn’t Ready

According to the shareholders, Musk and Tesla have consistently overstated the effectiveness and prospects of the automaker’s autonomous driving technologies, boosting its stock price. The lawsuit also takes issue with Musk’s April 22 statement that Tesla was “laser-focused on bringing Robotaxi to Austin in June,” and that the service would deliver “scalable and safe deployment across diverse geographies and use cases.”

Where Musk Goes, Controversy Follows

The shareholders are accusing Tesla and Musk of securities fraud. Their filing argues that the Robotaxi program poses a “significant risk” to public safety and may violate traffic laws, opening the company up to tighter regulatory scrutiny. They also note that Tesla’s stock dipped around 6 percent following public reports of incidents involving the Robotaxi fleet.

Last week, Tesla expanded its Robotaxi service to a geofenced area of the San Francisco Bay Area. However, as Tesla does not have regulatory approval to operate completely autonomous vehicles in California, all vehicles in the local Robotaxi fleet have a human behind the wheel. So, in reality, it’s not a Robotaxi service at all, but rather a simple ride-hailing service.

Despite these hurdles, Musk remains characteristically confident. On Tesla’s earnings call in late July, he predicted that “half of the population of the US will be covered by Tesla’s Robotaxi by the end of the year,” suggesting that regulatory concerns and technical setbacks aren’t slowing down the company’s broader ambitions.

Despite early dominance in the electric vehicle market, Tesla is now struggling to keep pace in Europe. Recent industry sales data continues to show a troubling pattern, with the automaker losing ground in several key countries.

Sales have taken a hit in Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, France, and Italy, and more importantly, the numbers are rapidly declining in two of the continent’s most crucial markets: the United Kingdom and Germany.

Read: Tesla Is Losing Europe Faster Than Elon Musk Can Tweet

According to the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Tesla sold a total of 987 new vehicles in the country in July. That’s a steep fall from the 2,462 units sold during the same month last year, marking a nearly 60 percent drop. What’s particularly worrying about this is that the thoroughly updated Model Y is now available in the UK, but it has failed to reverse the carmaker’s fortunes.

BYD Outsells Tesla in the UK – By a Lot

Poor sales are one thing, but adding insult to injury for Tesla in the UK is the strong performance of one of its main rivals. Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD sold 3,184 new cars in the country in July, more than four times what it managed in the same month last year. That total puts it clearly ahead of Tesla for the month, underscoring how quickly the landscape is changing these days.

German Market Slips Further

Over in Germany, things are also looking bleak for Tesla. Sales there slipped 55.1 percent in July to just 1,110 units. Year-to-date, Tesla’s sales in Germany have also collapsed 57.8 percent to approximately 10,000 units. Then there’s the threat from BYD.

Data reveals that BYD sold 1,126 new vehicles in Germany last month, narrowly edging out Tesla. Its year-to-date sales have also soared nearly 390 percent to 7,449 units.

What makes the German decline even more concerning is that it happened despite the overall electric vehicle market growing by 58 percent in July, with 48,416 EVs registered. In other words, while more buyers are turning to EVs in Germany, fewer of them are choosing Tesla.

Tesla faces an uphill battle if it wants to stop the bleeding in Europe and retain its dominant market share. Unlike in the US, where the brand doesn’t have to deal with the threat posed by Chinese automakers, a growing number of EVs from China are flooding European shores, more often than not offering better features for lower prices.

Earlier this year, two Tesla board members joined a special committee with a singular mission: figure out how to “retain and incentivize Elon.” After several months of deliberation, the solution has come into focus. It wasn’t a brainstorming session or a bold new vision, it was $29 billion. In cash-equivalent stock. Turns out, when it comes to keeping Elon Musk engaged, nothing speaks louder than a mountain of money.

More: Elon Musk Somehow Managed To Make Everyone Hate Electric Cars

Before we get too far along, don’t forget that in 2018, a Delaware court struck down a $50 billion pay package to CEO Elon Musk. It said that there were issues in the board approval process and that it was unfair to investors. Musk has appealed the ruling, but in the interim, Tesla and its board just approved a new $29 billion pay package.

What’s in the Package?

The award consists of 96 million shares of Tesla, granted to Elon as a ‘good faith’ payment. The committee is also working on a long-term CEO payment plan that it’ll put to a shareholder vote on November 6. Regardless of how things come out, this interim pay package ensures that Musk remains a part of Tesla leadership for at least two years. If he were to leave before that, he would lose it.

As Bloomberg points out in its coverage, Musk has already committed to staying on with Tesla for at least five more years. According to the board, this move is all about satisfying Elon’s personal desire to have increased voting rights.

In a post on X, the company explained: “This interim award is structured to incrementally increase his voting rights upon grant, which he has repeatedly told us—and shareholders have confirmed—is an important part of incentivizing him to stay focused on the critical work we are doing here at Tesla.”

A Letter to Our Shareholders on the 2025 CEO Interim Award

Dear Fellow Tesla Shareholders,

Today we announce an important first step in compensating Elon Musk for his extraordinary work at Tesla. As you know, Elon has not received meaningful compensation for eight years since…

— Tesla (@Tesla) August 4, 2025

No Overlap With the 2018 Package

Importantly, the Tesla board made it clear in no uncertain terms that Musk won’t get this pay package and the 2018 one if the courts reverse their ruling.

“If the Delaware courts fully reinstate the 2018 CEO Performance Award, this interim award will be forfeited or returned or a portion of the 2018 CEO Performance Award will be forfeited,” it wrote in a letter to shareholders. “To put it simply, there cannot be any “double dip.” Elon will not be able to keep this new award in addition to the options he will be awarded under the 2018 CEO Performance Award should the courts rule in our favor.

As of this writing, Musk hasn’t commented on the package, though knowing his usual online habits, it’s entirely possible he’s saving his thoughts for a meme, a Mars reference, or a reply to someone asking about Dogecoin. Subtlety was never really his thing.