Lawsuit claims Model 3 doors failed to open after a fiery crash.
Witnesses tried rescuing the couple but couldn’t open the doors.
Complaint says Tesla sold cars with faulty door handle designs.
Another day brings another legal challenge for Tesla, this time centered on a tragic crash that once again raises questions about the company’s design choices.
The latest lawsuit claims that the electrically operated door handles of a 2018 Model 3 failed to function after a collision and subsequent fire, trapping one of the occupants inside and leading to her death.
It marks yet another serious concern for Tesla, one that could prove costly and push the automaker to reexamine how its vehicles handle emergency situations, particularly when power is lost.
Door Handles Under Scrutiny
Filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, the complaint outlines a sequence of events. On January 7, 2023, Jeffrey Dennis was driving his Tesla Model 3 with his wife in Tacoma, Washington, when the car reportedly accelerated suddenly and struck a utility pole at the corner of South 56th and South Washington Streets.
Shortly after impact, the EV caught fire. It’s alleged that several witnesses tried to open the Tesla’s doors to rescue the couple, but were unable to do so because they failed to operate without battery power. The lawsuit says that some witnesses even tried to break the Model 3’s windows with a baseball bat, but it also failed.
First responders eventually managed to extract the pair, though Wendy Dennis succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Jeffrey Dennis suffered severe burns to his legs.
The complaint says the Model 3 has a “unique and defective door handle design” that prevented rescuers from freeing the couple. It is also alleged that Tesla knew about the defect with the door handle but failed to address it, and continued to market and sell the popular EV.
The lawsuit doesn’t stop at the door handles. It also claims that Tesla’s Automatic Emergency Braking system failed to activate as the vehicle sped toward the utility pole. In addition, it accuses the company of using “a highly explosive battery chemistry” despite the existence of safer, more practical, and less costly alternatives.
Jeffrey Dennis is seeking financial relief for the wrongful death of his wife and his long-term injuries, as well as compensatory damages and punitive damages under California law.
One in five cars in Germany failed annual roadworthiness inspection.
VW’s Golf, Touareg, and T-Roc dominated rankings across segments.
Mercedes led long-term quality with lowest defects among older cars.
Germany’s car-check watchdog has crunched the reliability numbers and once again, Tesla finds itself parked at the very bottom of the heap. The 2026 TÜV-Report, covering annual roadworthiness inspections of approximately 9.5 million vehicles between July 2024 and June 2025, found that Tesla EVs occupied the two bottom spots in the league table.
The Model 3, which was the worst-ranked car for the two previous years was found to have a defect rate of 13.1 percent, meaning one in every 7.6 cars in the two-to-three-year-old ages group failed the Hauptuntersuchung safety check.
Why Is The Model Y So Troubled?
But the Model Y was even worse. It had a defect rate of 17.3 percent, versus 3.5 percent for a Mini Cooper SE, making it the worst TÜV has seen in this age group in a decade. The biggest defect culprits were the axle assembly, suspension, brakes and lighting.
Pulling back to look at the bigger picture covering cars of all ages reveals that 21.5 percent, or one in five cars failed the inspection due to a “significant” or “dangerous” defect, an increase of 0.9 percent on last year, ADAC reported. And the proportion with minor defects rose 0.8 percent to 12.3 percent.
Other reliability villains include the BMW 5-series and 6-series in both the 4-5-year-old and 8-9-year-old age groups, the Dacia Duster in the 6-7 and 10-11 age groups and the Renault Clio among 12-13-year-old cars.
But with every list of losers there has to be a list of winners, and for cars that have passed their fourth birthday, this one is headed by Volkswagen.
The VW Golf wagon and T-Roc scored well in the 4-7-year-old categories and the automaker’s Touareg was top of the oldies. The Mazda CX-3 and Mercedes B-Class were also commended.
Looking at the 2-3-year-old group, Fiat’s 500e toped the small car category, proving to Tesla that EVs can be reliable, the Mazda 2 and BMW 1-series were the top-rated small car and compact, and the C-class took the mid-range award (if you’re reading from the US, those classifications will look kinda messed up).
The T-Roc popped up again to take best SUV, and the B-class bagged most reliable nearly-new minivan.
One big change in this year’s study is the introduction of an award for long-term quality, handed out to brands whose vehicles, aged 10+ exhibit the lowest average defect rate for safety-related faults and stand for quality, durability, and good service.
Mercedes took gold with an 18.5 percent defect rate – almost matching that of a 2-3-year-old Model Y – Audi was second with 19.2 percent and Toyota snuck onto the podium’s last step with a 22 percent defect rate.
Ford found the Mach-E used a full mile more wiring than Tesla’s Model 3.
Jim Farley said the teardown of Tesla and Chinese EVs was “humbling.”
Chinese automakers’ rapid progress left Ford racing to catch up globally.
Like many long-established carmakers, Ford has found itself under growing pressure from Tesla at home and an increasingly assertive wave of Chinese manufacturers abroad.
These newer players seem more adaptable, often leading in electric-vehicle design and software integration, areas where legacy automakers like Ford have struggled to keep pace. Chief executive Jim Farley doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the scale of that challenge.
Not long after Ford’s boss remarked that the threat from Chinese automakers now exceeds what Japanese carmakers posed in the 1980s, Jim Farley described the “shocking” moment that spurred him to rethink the company’s direction.
He said Ford’s engineers were taken aback when they began tearing down both the Tesla Model 3 and several Chinese-built electric cars, realizing just how far ahead those manufacturers had moved in terms of cost, efficiency, and software integration.
“I was very humbled when we took apart the first Model 3 Tesla and started to take apart the Chinese vehicles,” he told former Wall Street Journal reporter Monica Langley on the Office Hours: Business Edition podcast. “When we took them apart, it was shocking what we found.”
What Ford Found Inside
Ford’s engineers quickly learned that the Mustang Mach-E carried an extra mile of electrical wiring compared with the Model 3, adding unnecessary weight and complexity. That revelation, and others like it, convinced Farley to separate the company’s electric operations into a dedicated arm, the Model E division, in 2022.
“EVs are exploding in China,” Farley said, noting that the Chinese government had “put its foot on the economic scale” in support of battery-powered vehicles.
Financially, Ford’s move to establish the Model E division has yet to bear fruit, losing more than $5 billion last year. However, Farley isn’t prepared to throw in the towel.
“I knew it was going to be brutal business-wise,” he said. “My ethos is, take on the hardest problems as fast as you can and do it sometimes in public because you’ll solve them quicker that way.”
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Join ‘Em
Last year, Farley revealed that he had been driving a Xiaomi SU7 daily and praised the electric sedan. Evidently, he understands not only the importance of answering the threat posed by the Chinese but also just how quickly Ford needs to respond.
One of the company’s most crucial upcoming projects is a mid-size electric pickup priced around $30,000. Built on a new architecture designed to underpin several future models, it represents the next test of whether Ford can match the speed and efficiency of the competition
Tesla launches $60-per-day rentals to offset slowing sales nationwide.
Only Premium trims offered, excluding base, Performance, and Plaid.
Rentals capped at seven days with strict in-state driving limits.
It looks like Tesla’s found itself with a problem of abundance. The automaker has more cars sitting on lots across the United States than it seems to know what to do with. And with the federal EV tax credit gone, sales have slowed considerably.
To keep things moving, Tesla has decided to do something a little different, by renting out its own cars directly to customers, starting at two locations in California, with more likely on the way.
The company recently confirmed that its stores in San Diego and Costa Mesa are now offering rentals from the entire Tesla lineup.
What Does It Cost?
If you’ve been curious about living with a Model 3 or Model Y, you can now take one home for as little as $60 per day. The Cybertruck, perhaps the most talked-about of the bunch, is listed at $75 per day, while the more premium Model S and Model X command $90 per day.
Of course, no deal from Tesla would be complete without some important caveats. For starters, cars must be rented for a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven days.
Furthermore, while renters will be able to enjoy unlimited mileage, they will not be permitted to drive the Tesla out of the state. They’ll also be hit with a $30 fee if the car is returned with less than 50 percent charge.
There’s no word on whether the advertised rates include insurance, or if Tesla, like traditional car rental companies, will try to sting shoppers with exorbitant insurance fees.
What we do know is that only the upper-tier Premium trims are being offered. The entry-level Standard versions aren’t part of the deal, and neither are the high-performance Performance or Plaid variants.
Tesla will no doubt hope that by offering cheap rentals, it can convince interested shoppers to place an order. To help further convince them, they’ll receive a $250 credit if they place an order within seven days of the rental.
A UK camping specialist has created an RV trailer measuring just 12.5 ft.
Wheelhome’s Dashaway eCT started life as a pop-up roof tent for a Tesla.
When the original roof tent got no sales Wheelhome turned it into a trailer.
Sometimes the best ideas are born out of failure. That is exactly what happened with the Dashaway eCT, a clever little camping trailer from British company Wheelhome. It started life as a sleek roof tent designed specifically for the Tesla Model 3.
The original goal was simple enough: create a low-drag, space-age camping capsule that blended seamlessly with the Model 3’s curves. It was meant to be the ultimate companion for electric road trips. The snag? No one actually wanted to buy one.
And that’s a shame, because the eRC roof-camper prototype was far more sophisticated than your average roof tent.
What Happened Next?
Molded to fit the contours of the Model 3’s body, it featured a two-seat rear-facing sofa that converted into a double bed, and shelves and partitions to take a power bank, cooking equipment and even a toilet.
Wheelhome’s owner Stephen Wheeler tested it out on his own facelifted Model 3, taking it on a 3,500-mile (5,630 km) tour of Iceland this summer, and got a great reaction when he displayed it at EV shows with plans to put it into production, But that reaction didn’t translate into firm sales.
Rather than give up, Wheeler turned the prototype into something smarter. He took the same teardrop-style pod and placed it on a lightweight single-axle trailer chassis.
From Roof To Road
Suddenly the quirky Tesla roof tent became the Dashaway eCT, a tiny camper that almost any car can tow. Instead of being a niche curiosity for a small subset of EV owners, it’s a fully fledged mini trailer with broad appeal.
At just under 3,800 mm (150 inches) long, the eCT weighs only about 340 kg (750 lbs), which makes it easy to pull even with small hatchbacks. And because it’s so low and sleek when folded down, it shouldn’t ruin your mpg. But park up and the top extends so high you can stand up inside.
The eCT’s design still carries the DNA of the original concept, but has the added benefit of not getting in the way of trunk opening and offering an additional underfloor storage area because it now rides on a trailer chassis.
Wheelhome
Each camper has a sink with electrically-pumped 10-liter (2.64 US gallon) water supply and there’s room for a Porta Potti that can be accessed with the bed in place. In fact, it’s so close you can almost use it without leaving the bed.
A campsite mains hook-up and large lithium battery pack and 2,600 W inverter let you plug in electrical devices like air fryers, microwaves and kettles, and together with a 200 W solar panel provide power for at least two days of off-grid camping.
Bigger batteries are available if you’re planning longer escapes, though that’ll bump up the £26,225 ($34,600) price.
A total of 437,487 EVs were sold in the US during Q3 2025.
Topping the charts were the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.
Other strong sellers included the Ioniq 5 and the Prologue.
Final sales results for the third quarter are now in, closing one of the most closely watched reporting periods the electric vehicle market has seen in recent years. No doubt, the Trump administration’s move to scrap the federal EV tax credit sparked a final buying spree that sent sales figures sharply upward.
Unsurprisingly, two familiar Tesla models held a commanding lead, but several other notable models experienced significant demand spikes.
How Big Was the Jump?
According to Kelley Blue Book data, U.S. EV sales hit an all-time quarterly high of 438,487 units, up 40.7 percent from Q2 and 29.6 percent higher year over year, surpassing the previous record from Q4 2024 by nearly 20 percent.
Electric vehicles also claimed a record 10.5 percent share of total vehicle sales, up from 8.6 percent in the same period last year.
The Tesla Model Y was still comfortably the most popular EV in the United States, as 114,897 were sold during the period, a 29 percent increase from 89,077 delivered last year. Even so, Tesla’s overall market share slipped to 41 percent from 49 percent a year ago.
In second place was another Tesla, the Model 3, at 53,857 units. That result was actually down 7.8 percent year over year, suggesting some buyers may have shifted their attention toward the updated Model Y.
The first non-Tesla entrant on the best-sellers list was the Chevrolet Equinox EV. A total of 25,085 were sold, a huge 156.7 percent rise from 9,772.
Positioned not far behind it were the Hyundai Ioniq 5 with 21,999 sales, the Honda Prologue with 20,236 sales, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E with 20,177 sales. The VW ID.4 was also a strong performer for the quarter, with 12,470 units, a 176 percent increase from Q3 2024.
A surprise inclusion among the best-sellers was the Audi Q6 e-tron. A total of 10,299 SUVs were sold during the quarter, an impressive result considering that model’s premium positioning that allowed it to outsell the Ford F-150 Lightning (10,005 units).
Other strong performers included the Rivian R1S with 8,184 sales, the Chevrolet Blazer EV (8,089), the Kia EV9 (7,510), and the Cadillac Lyriq, of which 7,309 found new homes.
Still, fewer than 10 models managed to exceed 10,000 sales in Q3 2025, underscoring how top-heavy the market remains. For most automakers, EV volume remains well below the levels needed for profitability.
The Best Sellers YTD
Year-to-date figures show total U.S. EV sales surpassed 1.04 million units, up 11.7 percent from about 935,000 a year earlier.
Tesla continued to lead with 451,160 units, down 4.3 percent year over year but still holding a 41 percent market share. Chevrolet followed in second place with 87,137 units, a 113 percent jump, while Ford ranked third with 69,600 (+2.8%) and Hyundai came in fourth at 57,167 (+31.1%).
Among individual models, the Tesla Model Y led the way with 265,085 units, down 8 percent year over year, followed by the Model 3 at 155,180, up 18 percent. Chevrolet’s Equinox EV climbed into third place with 52,834 sales, a massive 390 percent surge.
Ford’s Mustang Mach-E posted 41,962, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 reached 41,091, and the Honda Prologue recorded 36,553. Tesla’s Cybertruck ranked seventh at 25,973, edging out the Ford F-150 Lightning’s 23,034 and Volkswagen’s ID.4 at 22,125. The Chevrolet Blazer EV closed the top ten with 20,825 units.
What Happens Next
With federal incentives now expired, analysts expect a cooldown. “The training wheels are coming off,” said Cox Automotive’s Director of Industry Insights, Stephanie Valdez Streaty. “The federal tax credit was a key catalyst for EV adoption, and its expiration marks a pivotal moment.”
Cox Automotive projects a temporary dip in EV sales through late 2025 and early 2026 before growth steadies again over the long term.
Tesla is recalling nearly 13,000 vehicles that could lose drive power.
The issue is being blamed on bad contactors with InTiCa solenoids.
The recall impacts the 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y EVs.
The elimination of the clean vehicle tax credit isn’t Tesla’s only problem as the automaker is recalling 12,963 EVs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says they may be equipped with a battery pack contactor that can fail, causing a loss of drive power.
The issue impacts thousands of vehicles including the 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y. However, only 1% of them are believed to have the defect.
According to the safety recall report, the vehicles have a battery pack contactor with an InTiCa solenoid. The latter can “suddenly open” due to a poor coil termination connection, which can lead to a loss of propulsion.
This increases the risk of a collision and drivers won’t receive any warning prior to losing drive power.
Tesla launched an investigation in August, following multiple reports about vehicles that wouldn’t shift into drive from park. These were found to have a high coil resistance on the pack contactor, which caused Tesla to replace the component.
The company examined the contactors and eventually blamed them for causing the issue. While details are limited, Tesla is aware of 26 field reports and 36 warranty claims related to the issue. Thankfully, no accidents or injuries were reported.
To address the problem, customers will need to take their vehicle to a Tesla service center where technicians will replace the contactor with one that doesn’t include an InTiCa solenoid. Letters are scheduled to go out on December 9 and repairs will be performed free of charge.
Tesla’s latest update replaces its vehicle display with a Tron Ares animation.
The update has frustrated some owners who view it as in-car advertising.
Elon Musk once criticized Disney but now seems open to collaboration.
Tesla helped pioneer over-the-air software updates, introducing new features without owners ever having to visit a dealership or service center. It was a move that set the brand apart, positioning its cars as tech products that could evolve long after leaving the factory floor.
Of course, there’s always a “but” with progress, and Tesla’s latest update is no exception.
And this time, Tesla’s latest software update has landed with a thud among owners, as it’s essentially an advertisement for the upcoming film Tron: Ares. Welcome to 2025, where your car can double as a mobile billboard.
The update transforms the on-board visualizations found on the central display of the Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck. Normally, one of Tesla’s vehicles is displayed here, but after installing the update, that image is replaced with an Tron bike, just like the ones featured in the film.
Owners can access the new animations by heading into the App Launcher, opening Toybox, and enabling it. Admittedly, the Tron bike does look quite cool, particularly since it leaves a trail of red light behind it.
However, it somewhat reeks of desperation for the company to add a feature like this, and has raised questions whether Disney is compensating Tesla for featuring its latest blockbuster so prominently inside customer vehicles.
Tesla boss Elon Musk has had a strained relationship with Disney over the past few years. In late 2023, he decried Disney’s decision to stop advertising on X after he supported an antisemitic post. He also called for Disney chief executive Bob Iger to be fired, and soon after, had Tesla remove the Disney+ app from its infotainment system.
Evidently, Tesla’s relationship with Disney has improved over the past couple of years, or else this wouldn’t be happening.
Had someone asked Musk in late 2023 whether Tesla cars would one day promote a Disney movie, he likely would have laughed off the idea. Yet here we are, two years later, watching the worlds of Silicon Valley and Hollywood collide once again, this time on your dashboard.
Analysts say carmakers are fighting just to maintain basic EV sales levels.
Tesla hopes to maintain EV demand with the entry-level Model 3 and Y.
Acura and Stellantis confirm plans to axe two key electric vehicle programs.
Electric vehicle shoppers are waking up to a new reality. With the federal EV tax credit now gone, many models have effectively become $7,500 more expensive overnight, whether bought outright or through the once-reliable lease loophole.
To soften the blow, several manufacturers are getting inventive, introducing aggressive discounts, cheaper trims, and in some cases, cutting slow-selling models altogether.
The end of the tax credit on September 30 led to a significant surge in EV sales across the United States; however, sales are expected to decline through the final quarter of the year. In a bid to try and prop up demand, Hyundai is offering a cash incentive worth up to $11,000 on the 2025 Ioniq 5.
Automakers Get Creative
Both General Motors and Ford have also been looking for ways to encourage shoppers to pick up the keys to one of their models.
For example, GM had been working on a plan for its lending arm to initiate the purchase of EVs at dealership lots and then apply for the $7,500 federal credit, rolling this money into lease terms for customers. However, it recently scrapped these plans, reports Reuters.
Nevertheless, it shows how creative some firms are getting to try and ensure EV sales don’t fall off a cliff. This week, Tesla also introduced lower-priced versions of the Model 3 and Model Y.
While both of these models were in the works before the Trump administration confirmed that the credit would be axed, they may help to convince some shoppers to buy an EV who would have otherwise been priced out of the market.
According to Ivan Drury, director of insights at Edmunds, automakers are taking varied approaches to a common problem.
“The overarching message of tax credits going away for EVs has had a very different set of approaches from each automaker,” he told Business Insider. “Which approach will be most successful? Debatable. Nobody’s looking to increase. That’s cuckoo talk at this point. You just want to maintain that basic level of sustainable sales, and this is the different methodologies that each of them have taken.”
Some brands have decided that cutting losses may be the most practical move. Both Stellantis and Acura have opted to discontinue certain EV models altogether. Acura recently confirmed it will pull the plug on its all-electric ZDX SUV, while Stellantis has shelved plans for the RAM 1500 REV.
It’s yet another reminder that even in an age of electrification, not every experiment makes it through the market’s growing pains.
Tesla introduces a retrofit kit adding a turn signal stalk to Model 3s.
Included with the stalk is a new steering wheel and control module.
The US rollout comes shortly after it became available in China.
Tesla’s latest move feels like a rare moment of self-awareness from a brand known for doubling down on its bad decisions. After years of criticism for removing traditional turn signal stalks from the Model 3, the company has finally relented and reintroduced them to the lineup.
What started as a questionable design experiment now has a costly fix, and this time, the solution comes straight from Tesla itself.
A couple of months ago, the carmaker started selling a turn signal stalk for its electric sedan in China, and last week, it introduced an updated Model 3 in select Asian markets that comes with the stalk as standard.
Sticker Shock
In the US, the stalk costs $595, which is the equivalent of 1.6 percent of the total purchase price of the new entry-level Model 3 Standard, though that one does include it.
That’s quite a lot of money, particularly since Tesla is only charging its Chinese customers 2,499 yuan, or around $350. Additionally, a small aftermarket startup, Enhance Auto, introduced its own turn signal stalks for the Model 3 last year and was able to price them between $343 and $363.
However, it’s important to note that Tesla doesn’t simply provide a signal stalk. Shoppers who make the purchase through the Tesla App will also receive a new steering wheel, which ditches the standard turn signal buttons.
Additionally, a new steering column control module has to be added to make the stalk functional. Installation fees are also included in the price.
Tesla says its retrofit package is compatible only with Model 3s built in 2024 and 2025 that were originally sold without a turn signal. From what we understand, the stalk is expected to return as standard equipment on all 2026 models, although that could vary depending on the production date.
While Tesla is unlikely to admit that ditching the turn signal stalk was a bad idea on the Model 3, the fact that the Model Y Juniper is sold with a stalk as standard tells us all we need to know. Tesla has clearly realized that it took minimalism a little too far.
Tesla has launched new entry-level ‘Standard’ versions of its Model 3 and Model Y.
Both models lose Autosteer, accelerate much more slowly, and get a smaller battery.
The Model 3 standard costs $36,990 in the US, and the Model Y version is $39,990.
It’s always amusing when we’re writing about collector cars to check the huge sums buyers paid out for optional equipment. Fifty years ago, for example, anyone buying a C3 Corvette had to pay a hilarious $284 ($1,710 in 2025 money) for an AM/FM radio, then a highly desirable and expensive option.
Today, though, it’s something that we expect to see on even the cheapest, most basic modern car. Yet, AM/FM radio is one of the pieces of equipment Tesla has cut from its new entry-level models.
Called Standard, the new base Model 3 and Model Y are designed to keep the barrier to entry of Tesla’s EVs low in the wake of federal tax credits disappearing at the end of September.
The Model 3 Standard costs $36,990, against $42,490 for the next trim up, now renamed Model 3 Premium RWD. And the Model Y Standard comes in at $39,990, versus $44,990 for the Y Premium.
The lack of a radio is far from the only difference between the new Standard and Premium Models. Base 3s miss out on the 8-inch second-row touchscreen, ventilated front seats and heated rears, power door mirrors and steering column, Autosteer, and frequency-dependent shocks.
They also downgrade to simple 18-inch steel wheels with covers, need 5.8 seconds instead of 4.9 seconds to reach 60 mph (97 km/h), and the driving range is cut from 363 miles to 321 miles (584-517 km).
Wheels aside (and an upgrade to 19s is available), the Model 3 Standard doesn’t scream “I was too cheap to upgrade!” in the same way its Model Y counterpart does. Because the Y Standard loses the facelifted Y’s front and rear LED light bars, and Tesla covers over the panoramic glass roof (which, in the ultimate insult, is still present) with a conventional headliner.
It also downgrades to textile seat surfaces, loses the adaptive headlights, subwoofer, and HEPA filter, and misses out on various bits of the same kit omitted from the 3 Standard spec.
But performance takes a much bigger hit than it does in the sedan. The boggo Y needs 6.8 seconds to reach 60 mph compared with 5.4 seconds for the Premium, and the range is reduced from 357 to 321 miles (575-517 km).
Test drive reveals more missing features
YouTuber Everyday Chris got his hands on the new Model Y Standard and points out some other differences in his video, including the very basic frunk, trunk, and door pocket liners, lack of electric frunk opener and rear parcel shelf, the single-pane door glass, and the fact that the max charging speed is down from 250 kW to 225 kW. You can also no longer recline the second row of seats from the trunk.
We’re guessing most owners will be more frustrated by that trunk-folding button having disappeared than they are by the radio getting a bullet. Still, according to a 2023 study, cutting the AM unit could save Tesla around $50–70 per car, since it no longer needs to shield radio waves from interference created by the electric motors.
This cost has led several automakers to consider junking radios, though lawmakers want to make AM availability in cars a legal requirement, because it’s viewed as essential for drivers in rural areas. Would you care if your next car didn’t have a radio, or have you never used yours since 2004?
Tesla introduces new “Standard” trim levels for the Model 3 and Model Y.
Model 3 Standard starts at $36,990, while Model Y Standard at $39,990.
Autosteer, AM/FM radio are gone, while shock absorbers are downgraded.
For all of Elon Musk’s grand promises over the past couple of years about game-changing budget Teslas, the much-touted affordable models have arrived with more of a polite cough than a thunderclap.
As we expected after several leaks these past few weeks, the newcomer is essentially a heavily cost-cut version of the Model Y. Still, glance upward and you might realize that, in Tesla’s peculiar logic, less sometimes really does mean more. We’ll circle back to that soon.
Even so, Tesla slipped in a small surprise with the introduction of a lower-priced Model 3, both now bundled under the newly introduced “Standard” trim name.
Alongside these launches, Tesla has reshuffled its trim lineup. Entry-level versions now carry the Standard name, while the mid-range Long Range models have been renamed Premium. The Performance flagships of both cars remain in place at the top of the hierarchy.
Lower Prices, Leaner Package
The headline figures set the tone: the Model 3 Standard starts at $36,990, which is $5,500 less than the previous base Long Range RWD. The Model Y Standard begins at $39,990, a $5,000 reduction compared with its RWD Premium equivalent. These figures exclude delivery fees, of course.
Both models a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive setup and a smaller 69 kWh battery pack with one fewer module than usual.
Model Y Standard
Starting with the Model Y Standard, the range sits at an EPA-estimated 321 miles, a dip from the 357 miles offered by the RWD Premium. Acceleration is a lot slower too, hitting 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.8 seconds with a rollout, versus the Premium’s 5.4-second run. Top speed remains unchanged at 125 mph.
Specs tell only half the story, though. Tesla has stripped away so much that the car now feels like something you’d leave in the economy lot after a long weekend in Vegas, drop the keys, and never think about again.
The middle section of the lightbar has vanished, which isn’t exactly a bad thing. Some might even call it an improvement, if only by accident. The front bumper has been simplified too, with revised air inlets and lighting elements now integrated into the headlamps. Around the back, the Juniper’s trademark taillights drop their connecting center strip.
Elsewhere, new smaller 18-inch wheels come as standard, with a 19-inch option available. The simplified wheel covers might not win any style awards, but the extra tire sidewall should improve ride comfort. Color choices are limited to three: Stealth Grey as standard, plus Pearl White for $1,000 and Diamond Black for $1,500.
No FM/AM Radio And Downgraded Suspension
The biggest changes are found inside. The vegan leather seats have been swapped for textile inserts, and the center console now features a large open compartment reminiscent of the Cybertruck’s utilitarian layout.
Front seat ventilation and rear seat heating have been dropped, and rear passengers lose their 8-inch fun screen in favor of manual vents. The driver also gets a manually adjustable steering wheel instead of an electric one.
Digging a little deeper into the spec sheet uncovers several more omissions. Tesla has downgraded the audio system, fitting this version with seven speakers instead of the 15-speaker setup and subwoofer found in higher trims. The FM / AM radio is gone too, along with the HEPA filter and ‘Bioweapon Defense Mode’.
Even the side mirrors are now manually folded and no longer feature auto-dimming, while Autosteer has been removed. The second-row seats, power-operated in the other trims, are now manually folded. Ambient LED lighting and the double-pane windows have also been dropped.
Interestingly, there seems to be a suspension change as well. The Standard version now uses passive shock absorbers rather than the frequency-dependent units fitted to other models.
Once again, it raises the question of what other features might have quietly slipped away.
Now You See It, Now You Don’t
Look upward and you’ll spot the most obvious alteration. The Model Y Standard trades its see-through roof for a regular headliner with sound-absorbing material above it, something many Model Y owners have long wanted, albeit in the form of a retractable shade, not a full-on cover-up.
But appearances can be deceiving. The glass roof hasn’t gone anywhere, it’s simply hiding beneath the new headliner. Apparently, Tesla figured it was more cost-effective to leave the glass in place rather than invest the time and money needed to engineer a proper metal roof, which makes sense up to a point.
What’s less clear, unless there’s something we’re missing such as a switch to a cheaper type of glass, is why they went through the extra effort and expense of covering it at all. If the goal wasn’t cost-saving, it would have made more sense to leave it visible, as with the Model 3 Standard.
The only other plausible explanation might be differentiation from the other versions, or perhaps an attempt to offset the loss of the double-pane windows and maintain cabin quietness.
Everything else you love and loathe about the Model Y experience remains as is, from the 15.4-inch touchscreen that serves as both the instrument cluster and infotainment system to the steering stalks.
Model 3 Standard
Moving to the Model 3 Standard, the EPA estimates a 321-mile range, down from the RWD Premium’s 363 miles. The sedan sprints to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds with rollout and matches the same 125 mph top speed.
Visually, the exterior updates are more restrained than on the Model Y. There wasn’t much to take away to begin with, so the main differences come from the smaller 18-inch wheels that should offer a slightly comfier ride, with 19-inch options once again available. The same trio of paint choices carries over: standard grey, optional white, and black.
Inside, the cabin sticks to the same cost-cutting playbook as the Model Y Standard, though with one notable exception: the glass roof remains. Textile seats take the place of vegan leather, the steering wheel adjusts manually, the rear touchscreen has been deleted, and the audio system has been simplified.
All the other omissions noted on the Model Y Standard, including the change in shock absorbers, carry over here too.
Emergency crews responded to a Tesla on fire but but could not free the driver.
Reports say the Tesla Model 3 was cut off by an SUV before striking a utility pole.
Tesla has faced scrutiny for door handles that may not open after accidents.
A tragic crash in North Miami Beach has reignited concerns about Tesla’s door and safety systems, after a Model 3 driver lost their life when the car caught fire and rescuers were reportedly unable to pull them out.
The incident adds to a growing list of cases where occupants were trapped following collisions, raising more questions about emergency access to the company’s vehicles.
The crash unfolded just after 4 pm on Wednesday when the Model 3, heading west on Northwest 163rd Street, was said to have been cut off by an SUV. The Tesla allegedly swerved into a utility pole and almost immediately caught fire.
North Miami Beach police spokesman Corey Darden said officers arrived quickly but were unable to reach the driver before the flames spread beyond control. Paramedics also transported another person to the hospital, though their condition and role in the crash remain unclear.
Footage captured in the aftermath of the crash shows local police crews desperately trying to control the blaze using fire extinguishers.
At one stage, they could also be seen smashing one of the rear side windows, but according to an eyewitness, “it really didn’t do anything.” Police had to let fire crews take over due to the fear that the Tesla might explode, the Miami Herald reports.
What stands out in the aftermath is that the body damage to the Model 3 does not look especially severe. The front of the electric sedan is not visible in the footage, but the rear and sides show little sign of a major impact. It’s unclear what initially triggered the blaze.
A Wider Pattern Emerging?
This crash occurred just a week after a Tesla Model S driver and two children were killed in Germany when their vehicle veered off the side of a road and burst into flames. In that case, a witness desperately attempted to rescue the occupants but was unable to get the doors open before the vehicle was consumed.
Tesla has acknowledged concerns over emergency access in its vehicles and recently stated it is developing a new door handle design that merges manual and electronic releases into a single button.
Screenshot via Leandro Seguro/Local 10 News/Youtube
Tesla sales rebounded in Q3 as Americans rushed before tax credits expired.
The automaker delivered 497,099 vehicles, up from 462,890 units last year.
Deliveries soared 29.4% from Q2 on strong demand for Model 3 and Model Y.
Tesla’s been having a terrible year, but there’s a bit of good news as third quarter deliveries climbed 7.4% from last year. That’s a sizable increase and it’s believed the recently expired clean vehicle tax credit played a significant role in driving consumers to showrooms.
Jumping right into the numbers, Tesla delivered 481,166 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in the third quarter. That’s up from 439,975 last year, for an increase of 9.4%.
However, it wasn’t all roses as the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck continue to underperform. Q3 deliveries dropped from 22,915 units last year to 15,933 vehicles this time around.
In total, Tesla produced 447,450 vehicles and delivered 497,099. One year ago, the company made 469,796 EVs and only delivered 462,890.
2025 Q3 Tesla Production And Deliveries
Production
Deliveries
Model 3/Y
435,826
481,166
Other Models
11,624
15,933
Total
447,450
497,099
SWIPE
Digging deeper, Tesla sales have rebounded significantly since Elon Musk’s disastrous foray into politics turned off a number of consumers. Compared to last quarter, deliveries soared an impressive 29.4%. The biggest boost came from the Model 3 and Y, which were up by 107,438 units. Deliveries of “other models” also grew by 53.3% as the company handed over 15,933 of them.
Of course, the sales bonanza is likely over now that the tax credit is dead. This means customers will need to shell out at least $42,490 for a Model 3 or $44,990 for the Model Y. Those prices will likely limit their appeal, although the company is working to address that with a cheaper Model Y.
They’re not the only ones working on more affordable EVs as Hyundai recently slashed prices for the 2026 Ioniq 5. The crossover starts at $35,000, which is $7,600 less than last year’s model. Other trims have steeper reductions and they average $9,155.
The new features have been announced in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
In August, Tesla also announced the addition of stalks in Chinese-made EVs.
It’s not yet clear if there are any plans to bring the same updates to the US.
While most agree that the facelifted Model 3 that was unveiled two years ago is an improvement over the model it replaced, there’s one aspect that many dislike about the new model: the absence of a turn signal stalk. For some unexplained reason, Tesla decided to move the signals to the steering wheel. Others, like Ferrari, have done the same, but Elon Musk’s products are targeting a much wider audience.
However, much to our surprise, traditional stalks are making a comeback, but so far only on Asian-delivered Model 3s in three specific markets. This week, Tesla previewed an updated Model 3 that will be sold in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. In its promotional material, the brand revealed that the tweaked Model 3 includes a stalk for the turn signal positioned on the steering column, just as it should be.
A Quiet Reversal
The reappearance of the stalk isn’t entirely new. Beyond keeping them on the refreshed Model Y, Tesla also quietly brought it back for the Chinese-market Model 3 in August, even offering retrofits for older cars at 2,499 yuan, or about $350. This rollout now extends to three more countries, suggesting Tesla has fully reintroduced the hardware into its production line.
In addition to reintroducing a stalk for the Model 3 in Asia, the company has fitted a front-facing camera on the bumper. It’s a feature Tesla fans have been requesting for years, and it should make squeezing into tight spaces noticeably less stressful.
What About The US?
Despite those changes in cars sold in Asia, Tesla has yet to confirm if it will make the same small additions to American ones, but we think it’d be weird not to. Evidently, it has found suppliers for these parts and has all the tooling to install them, so it’ll simply be a matter of adding them to US-built cars.
🔥 Tesla has launched an updated Model 3 in select Asian countries, featuring:
✅ Front bumper camera ✅ Turn signal stalk ✅ No front logo
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