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 workers accused of racing through the Gigafactory parking lot.
Employees reportedly hit 80 km/h where the limit is just 30 km/h.
If the speeding doesn’t stop, speed bumps may need to be installed.
It seems not every Tesla employee in Germany keeps their speed thrills on the autobahn. Reports from the company’s Gigafactory near Berlin suggest that some workers have been pushing their luck in the car park, with local officials now stepping in to curb the growing problem.
The employees are facing scrutiny from the local works council after repeated instances of staff driving at speeds of up to 80 km/h (50 mph) through the site’s parking lot. Conditions have apparently become so unruly that speed bumps are now being considered to rein things in.
Too Fast, Even for Tesla
According to Handelsblatt, staff were recently summoned to a meeting bluntly titled ‘Racetrack South Parking Lot,’ following claims that a few overzealous drivers have turned the area into an unofficial circuit.
Now it’s unclear if the workers are driving so quickly because they can’t wait to head home after a long shift, or because they’re that keen to clock in each morning. Given the long days Tesla is known for, it’s probably safe to assume the first.
To restore order, the works council recently installed digital speedometer signs reminding staff of the 30 km/h (18 mph) limit. Early signs suggest those reminders might not be enough, and further measures could be on the horizon.
Speaking with the German newspaper, the works council revealed that it is meeting with its design team about potentially making the driving lanes through the parking lot narrower and adding new zebra crossings. If these measures also fail to slow down drivers, then speed bumps may need to be installed.
“If we don’t get this under control, then at some point we’ll have to talk about speed bumps,” said the representative for works council. “And I don’t think any of us wants to do that.”
They also reminded the workforce that there’s a perfectly good outlet for their need for speed. “The highway is ten meters away, you can really blast through it in a fast car, that’s fun too. But please…wait this short distance before you step on the gas. Thank you!”
A Pattern of Odd Headlines
This isn’t the first unusual story to come out of Tesla’s German facility. In mid-2024, reports surfaced that around 65,000 coffee mugs ordered for the plant had mysteriously vanished. At the time, roughly 12,000 employees worked there, suggesting that, statistically speaking, each person had made off with about five Ikea mugs.
New study shows 60 percent of EV defectors need incentives of at least $5,000.
With tax credits gone, automakers aim to rebuild trust through direct discounts.
For example, Hyundai recently announced a $9,800 price cut for the Ioniq 5.
It’s no secret that government incentives have played a huge role in fueling America’s appetite for electric vehicles. Without them, enthusiasm tends to cool fast.
So it’s hardly shocking that many former EV owners say they’d consider returning to battery power only if a generous incentive were back on the table, according to a recent study from The Harris Poll.
The survey, conducted between September 23 and 25, included responses from 2,095 adults across the United States. Of these, 1,675 participants, or about 80 percent, said they plan to buy or lease a new or used vehicle in the future. Within that group, 485 respondents, roughly 29 percent, said they were extremely or somewhat likely to choose an EV.
What Would It Take?
Among respondents who had previously owned or driven an electric vehicle but later switched away, 60 percent said they would need an incentive of at least $5,000 to consider returning to an EV.
A further 30 percent said they would need an incentive of between $2,500 and $4,999 to reconsider, while 11 percent said they would be willing to accept an incentive of less than $2,500.
Senior consultant at The Harris Poll, Greg Paratore, acknowledged that affordability remains the top concern for 64 percent of EV buyers.
Automakers Step In
While the removal of the new and used EV tax credit will impact demand for electric cars, Paratore noted that automakers could use the removal of the credit to build extra trust with consumers by helping to share the added cost burden.
For example, Hyundai recently announced it’s cutting prices of the 2026 Ioniq 5 by a significant $9,800 in the wake of the tax credit’s removal. Additionally, Hyundai is offering a $7,500 cash incentive on the remaining 2025 Ioniq 5s that it has in its inventory.
Meanwhile, Ford chief executive Jim Farley warned that EV demand in the U.S. could tumble by as much as half due to the tax credit’s removal. If that happens, electric vehicles could see their market share shrink to around 5 percent, a figure last recorded in 2022.
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.
Tesla offers two different manual rear door release designs in the Model Y.
Apparently, some of these vehicles lack a manual rear door release entirely.
Owners are adding ropes to the rear door cables for quick emergency use.
Concerns over Tesla’s electronic door handles have intensified after several recent fatalities were linked to situations where occupants couldn’t escape following a crash or fire. The incidents have not only landed Tesla in hot water with safety authorities, but have also sparked broader conversations within the auto industry about safety design and emergency accessibility.
Many owners are now asking themselves what they can do to ensure their vehicles are ready should the unthinkable happen.
Late last week, a Reddit user sparked discussion by asking how to rescue children from the rear of a Model Y in the event of a collision and fire.
“Me and my wife have a Juniper and with a baby on the way it got me thinking,” wrote a user on Reddit.
“You get into a crash. High voltage battery catches fire, inside is filling up with smoke, 12v battery dies. You use the manual release on the driver’s door to open the door and now you can get out. But how do you get your child/baby out of the backseat/childseat on the passenger side? 3 other doors are locked. No chance you’re reaching the manual release on that door from the driver’s seat,” they added.
To Tesla’s credit, the Model Y includes an easily accessible manual release for the front doors, located just ahead of the window controls. This means front-seat occupants can exit quickly, even if the electronic system fails. The same can’t be said for those in the back seats.
Hidden Escape Points
For whatever reason, the manual release at the rear of the 2020-2024 Model Y is much more difficult to access. To pull it, occupants need to remove the rubber mat at the bottom of the door pocket, press on a red tab to remove a plastic access door, and then pull the mechanical release cable forward. For a child, particularly in a panicked situation, access will be challenging.
Tesla redesigned the rear door’s manual release for the Model Y Juniper, although a plastic release cover still needs to be removed before accessing the release cable.
DIY Safety Mods
Some Model Y owners, inspired by the Reddit thread, have taken matters into their own hands. A few have attached small straps to the rear release cable so it’s easy to spot and pull, while others suggest connecting a rope that extends toward the front of the cabin, giving the driver a way to open the rear doors quickly in an emergency.
That said, these homemade solutions don’t help everyone. Tesla’s owner’s manual for the 2020-2024 Model Y reveals that “not all Model Y vehicles are equipped with a manual release for the rear doors.”
So, if the rear doors can’t be opened from the inside, nor from the outside after a crash and/or fire, that means the only way to free passengers in the rear will be to drag them out from the front seats, or to bust out the rear windows.
Tesla filed a patent for an inflatable spoiler designed for the Cybertruck.
The add-on inflates into a wedge to reduce drag and improve aerodynamics.
This range extension during towing could help make up for other failed tech.
If there’s one automaker in America willing to think completely outside of the box, it’s Tesla. In this case, it’s literally thinking outside of the box, or more precisely, from the bed of the Cybertruck.
A new patent application indicates that the company could soon sell an inflatable balloon that acts as a spoiler of sorts. If it works as intended, it could extend towing range by a significant amount.
A Wedge in the Wind
Officially dubbed an “Inflatable Aerodynamic Deflector,” the device uses the same drop-stitch fabric that you’ll find on a paddleboard or life vest. When stowed, it’ll lie flat in the bed of the Cybertruck.
When it’s time to tow, the owner can deploy the contraption, which will take the shape of a wedge. And when we say wedge, we mean a really big one.
Based on diagrams in the patent application first discovered by Carbuzz, the inflatable will basically extend the body line made by the front hood and windshield section of the truck. It’ll continue on that same plane several feet and end just before the tailgate.
Inflate To Tow Further
In essence, the device should smooth the air out over the truck and then over any trailer that may be in tow. Why make it inflatable? Elementary, dear Watson: weight savings.
Every ounce added to a vehicle has a small penalty in performance. That’s true in all vehicles, no matter their method of propulsion, but since it’s harder to find a charger and slower to charge an EV, it’s more important to keep weight down as much as possible in something like the (already pretty heavy) Cybertruck.
It’s worth noting that towing range is something that Tesla has been trying to sort out for a while. It infamously promised a huge range-extending battery that would’ve sat in the bed.
Despite several customers placing an order, the brand canceled the project and hasn’t really had a backup way to improve range during towing.
This new inflatable could be one small way to claw back some additional range. Now all Tesla has to do is, unlike that range-extending battery, actually put it into production rather than letting it float away like its last big idea.
Sources: Carbuzz, USPO | Lead illustration by John Halas / Carscoops
California accuses Tesla Insurance of systemic violations in handling claims.
Complaints soared from 21 in 2022 to nearly 2,000 through September 2025.
Tesla and partners risk license suspension and $10,000 fines per violation.
Tesla is an automaker that has its fingers in several other industries. One is insurance, which it has long promised to be the best in the business for its customers. According to authorities in California, not only is it not a leader, it’s actually so bad that it might lose its license to offer insurance altogether.
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) announced on October 3 that it’s taking enforcement action against Tesla Insurance Services, Inc. and Tesla Insurance Company, alongside State National Insurance Company, which underwrites Tesla’s policies in the state.
Regulators say the three companies failed to comply with California’s claims-handling laws over and over again. It accuses all three of “significant harm” to Tesla drivers who held policies with them.
In plain terms, Tesla Insurance Services acts as the broker selling the policies, while Tesla Insurance Company and State National handle the underwriting and claims.
A Pattern of Misconduct
Together, the CDI says, they’ve developed a pattern of misconduct so severe that the state may suspend or revoke their licenses and impose monetary penalties of up to $10,000 per willful violation.
According to the department, Tesla’s alleged offenses include extensive delays in paying valid claims, unreasonable denials, and failures to conduct “thorough, fair, and objective investigations.”
The department also accuses Tesla of not informing policyholders of their right to have claims denials reviewed by the state.
Complaints on the Rise
This isn’t an issue that the state just started tracking, either. In 2022, it noted 21 justified complaints against State National Insurance Company, which accounted for 40 regulatory violations.
The next year, those figures grew to 63 and 195, respectively. In 2024, Tesla Insurance Services joined the fray, and together, complaints rose again to 291, along with 835 violations.
So far in 2025, the department says it has received nearly 2,000 complaints, over 500 of which were justified, with more than 2,000 regulatory violations. Now, Tesla Insurance Services, Tesla Insurance Company, and State National have 15 days to respond to the accusations before they face a potential administrative hearing.
If the department prevails, the companies could be barred from transacting insurance business in California and hit with significant fines.
Tesla hit with second lawsuit this week over fatal Cybertruck crash in California.
Parents allege Tesla ignored safety flaw that trapped victims inside burning truck.
Lawsuit claims hidden door release made escape impossible during post-crash fire.
Tesla is facing renewed scrutiny after another troubling incident involving its vehicles. As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigates owner reports that the company’s electric door handles can become inoperative, preventing occupants from entering or exiting the vehicle, Tesla is now being sued by the parents of two teenagers who died in a Cybertruck crash last November.
The lawsuits allege that safety issues with the electric pickup’s handles prevented the teens from escaping the vehicle.
The fatal crash occurred in the early hours of November 27 in Piedmont, California. Four teenagers were in the Tesla when it smashed into a cement wall and became wedged between it and a large tree. Moments later, the vehicle burst into flames, killing three of the four occupants, all of whom were 2023 graduates of Piedmont High School.
Expanding Legal Battle
Carl and Noelle Tsukahara, parents of 18-year-old Krysta Tsukahara, recently added Tesla to an earlier lawsuit initially filed against the estate of the 19-year-old driver, Soren Dixon, and the vehicle owner’s estate. The parents of 20-year-old Jack Nelson, another victim of the crash, have also filed a separate suit against the company.
When Power Fails
As noted by the lawsuits, the door handles of the Cybertruck operate off the 12-volt battery, and if the vehicle loses power after a crash, the electronic door mechanism will fail. The EV does have manual door releases at the front and rear, but they can be hard to find. This is especially true in the second row, where a manual release cable is hidden beneath a rubber mat at the bottom of the door pocket.
The lawsuit from the Tsukaharas asserts that their daughter survived the impact and was fully conscious. However, she was unable to escape the Tesla’s second row and died from smoke inhalation and burns. It’s claimed that Tesla has long been aware of issues with the safety of its electric door handles.
“These are not new concepts or ideas and are things vehicle designers should be taking into account,” one of the Nelson family’s attorneys told the San Francisco Chronicle. “It’s a preventable death if you have a vehicle occupant who dies who otherwise could exit a vehicle if their doors were functional, or be rescued.”
Both lawsuits seek unspecified punitive damages against Tesla. The family attorney of the Tsukaharas, believes he has a “very, very strong case,” against the electric carmaker.
“They will want to blame Mr. Dixon, anybody but themselves, but this vehicle absolutely should not have entombed these individuals and my clients’ daughter. It’s our way of holding the wrongdoer accountable, and correcting bad conduct.”
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.
Uber invested $300M in Lucid during July to support future growth.
The deal includes 20,000 Gravity SUVs for a new US robotaxi fleet.
Lucid’s CEO claims Tesla’s aging lineup is helping attract new customers.
The Lucid Air may already be known as one of the most advanced electric cars on the road, boasting the longest range of any EV sold in the United States, but the brand itself is still fighting an uphill financial battle. Each vehicle sold continues to come at a steep loss, so its recent tie-up with Uber, along with efforts to lure drivers away from rival brands, could prove critical to securing a stable future.
Through its tie-up with Uber, Lucid will receive $300 million in investments, making Uber its second-largest shareholder after the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Uber will purchase 20,000 Gravity SUVs from Lucid and use them as part of an expansive robotaxi fleet that’ll be introduced across the States starting next year.
Big Backer, Big Bet
This deal could not have come at a more crucial time for Lucid. Following the Trump administration’s decision to axe the EV tax credit and eliminate fines for carmakers who don’t comply with emissions regulations, electric vehicle manufacturers face the prospect of falling sales. Even so, Lucid chief executive Marc Winteroff is confident the Uber deal will serve as the start of an important new era for the brand.
“The largest ride-hailing business in the world does a strategic deal and invests,” Winteroff said. “It tells you something… 20,000 is a starting point. The sky’s the limit.”
Lucid is also thinking of innovative ways to make the most of its Uber deal. According to the firm’s leader, it will sell vehicles to fleet managers on the Uber platform, and wants to source revenue from charging on a per-mile basis. Winteroff added that the removal of the tax credit is “a big number of pure profit that we know have to live without,” so it’s understandable why the firm wants to make the most out of the Uber deal.
During the same interview, Winteroff moved beyond the Uber deal and took a thinly veiled swipe at Elon Musk’s company. He said Lucid has noticed a rising number of Tesla owners making the switch, pointing to the brand’s aging lineup and Musk’s political involvement, which has turned off many buyers.
“We have seen an uptick, that’s definitely the case, in Europe and also here in the US,” Lucid’s CEO revealed. “The Model S, nothing has changed in 12 years now… [customers] are actively looking for other options.” However, Lucid has a long way to go before it can truly threaten Tesla when it comes to sales numbers.
Key to Lucid’s future plans is a mid-size SUV. This new model will start at under $50,000 and may be named the Earth. It will take styling cues from the brand’s existing models, and its production is scheduled to start by the end of 2026. It will also spawn a rugged version inspired by the recent Gravity X Concept and be followed up by an additional model, set to launch in 2028.
Tesla’s Model Y Standard is said to drop luxury touches for only $5K off the price.
Cut features reportedly include glass roof, second-row screen, and HEPA air filter.
Redesigned fascia loses full-width LED light bar and gets a simple looking bumper.
Update II: Tesla has posted a teaser on its X channel hinting at a new reveal later this week, on October 7. The company shared two brief clips, one that appears to show a spinning wheel cover, and another featuring the front end of a new model with distinct, separated headlamps. Both the timing and, more importantly, the shape of those headlights strongly suggest it’s the budget version of the Model Y seen here.
Some have speculated that the teaser could point to the long-delayed Roadster, though that appears unlikely. The Roadster prototypes previously shown by Tesla featured different alloy wheels without covers, along with a lighting signature that doesn’t match what’s visible in this teaser.
Update I: Well, that didn’t take long. Just hours after the leaked option codes surfaced, a prototype of what looks to be the most stripped-down version of the Model Y was spotted undisguised by X user Ryan Marble near Tesla’s Gigafactory in Texas.
The new photos confirm the removal of the front light bar, along with a more basic front bumper that no longer features the aero cut-outs. No doubt some diehard fans will hail it as “cleaner,” though others may just call it cheaper looking. At the back, the center light bar is gone as well, as is the spaced-out “T E S L A” badging, giving the rear fascia a plainer, less futuristic feel.
It’s still unclear from these shots whether the rumored change to the roof has gone ahead, swapping the panoramic glass panel for a solid black section. The wheels, meanwhile, seem to have shrunk to 18 inches rather than the 19-inch sets fitted to the current RWD and AWD variants. (by John Halas)
What could be our first look at Tesla’s long-rumored entry-level Model Y has surfaced online, sparking plenty of debate about whether it’s the real deal. If it is, then the newcomer appears to take a seriously pared-back approach compared to the Model Y we know today, stripped of many features that define its higher-priced counterparts.
The open question is whether such a cut-down version would help Tesla boost sales across the US and other key markets, or if it risks being seen as too compromised to win over buyers. Of course, much of the answer will hinge on pricing, especially compared with the current base Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, which starts at $44,490 in the States now that the $7,500 tax credit has disappeared.
Simpler Looks
The image comes from TheTeslaNewswire on X, which claims the shot briefly appeared on Tesla’s website before disappearing. In the photo, the the new base Model Y ditches the full-width LED light bar fitted to current crossover and instead wears a pair of narrow headlights that resemble those on the refreshed Model 3. The front bumper has been pared back too, losing its usual air curtains and settling for a plainer black grille along the lower edge.
This entry version, apparently set to carry the Model Y Standard badge, rides on 18-inch wheels with black plastic aero covers. The effect is about as minimal as Tesla has ever gone on its mainstream models.
A No-Frills Cabin
Several changes are also being reported, although official images have yet to appear. The same account that dug through the website’s source code suggests the panoramic glass roof, standard on all current Tesla passenger models, will be dropped in favor of a solid roof, with textile trim pieces added in its place.
A manually adjustable steering wheel will also be part of the package. In the back, the second-row touchscreen has been dropped, replaced with manual air vents. Tesla has removed the HEPA filter as well, a change that lines up with reports from a well-known hacker who mentioned similar cuts last month.
Extract 1:
Model Y Standard","Bring Everyone and Everything","Unparalleled Efficiency","Have More Fun","Virtually Low Maintenance","Built for Safety"],"card_description":[" ","For anybody and every drive.","Load up your friends and family with seating up to five and bring all…
An extract from Tesla’s website describing the new model was also shared on X by the same account. it says Tesla describes the model as providing “unparalleled efficiency” and having “virtually low maintenance,” which we suspect should say ‘virtually no maintenance.’ Tesla also notes that it doesn’t require “oil changes, tunes ups or smoke checks,” and that all owners will need to do is “refill the washer fluid and rotate your tires.”
When Cheap Isn’t That Cheap
Then there’s the all-important price. Apparently, the Model Y Standard will start at a claimed $39,990 in the United States. That’s only $5,000 less than the current base Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, which doesn’t sound like a good deal, particularly given all the features the Standard version is lacking. Even more so if you consider that just days ago, before the federal EV tax credit was scrapped, buyers could pick up the Long Range RWD for as little as $37,490.
🔥🔥 More affordable Tesla Model Y Standard leaked on the website!
✅ Called Model Y Standard ✅ $39,990 starting price ✅ Redesigned front fascia ✅ Single-part headlights ✅ Front bumper camera ✅ No front light bar ✅ No glass roof (“closed glass roof”) ✅ New 18” Aperture… pic.twitter.com/eGm4QnMxJm
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
Model Y Performance packs 460bhp, 0-62 mph in 3.5s, and adaptive suspension.
Top Gear calls it stable and refined, but says Long Range AWD offers better value.
Priced £10,000 higher in the UK, yet real-world benefits remain fairly marginal.
It’s official. The new Tesla Model Y Performance is rolling out across most global markets, including the US where it comes in at $57,490, as well as Europe. Buyers get more power, more speed, updated styling, and subtle chassis tweaks.
In Britain, the starting figure is £61,925 (around $75,500), which makes it roughly £10,000 more than the Long Range AWD. In the US, the gap is a little narrower at $8,500. Even so, Top Gear argues that the premium is enough for buyers to think twice before ticking the Performance box.
Tom Ford from the famous British auto journal drove the updated Performance variant and found that while it delivers excellent performance, the upgrades don’t make it a must-have. The SUV is unquestionably quicker and sharper, but Ford noted that the standard Long Range already accelerates in under five seconds, offers slightly more range, and costs £10,000 less in the UK.
What extras buy you
The Performance gets a handful of changes to justify that price hike, including staggered Arachnid 2.0 21-inch wheels, red-painted calipers, revised bumpers, and a carbon spoiler. Tesla claims it’s cut drag by 10 percent and lift by 64 percent compared to the original Model Y Performance. It also gets a larger 16-inch infotainment system, carbon interior trim, and sport seats with extra bolstering.
Under the skin, it has a lot going for it on paper. The suspension features reinforced parts, stiffer bushings, and adaptive bits as well. It’s good enough that Ford says it’s “class-leading.” Despite that, the sum of its parts doesn’t end up being good enough for an all-out recommendation. “It’s not night and day better than the standard vehicle,” he says.
Everyday reality check
Drilling down further, he gets into the nitty-gritty of the situation for real, everyday buyers. This is, after all, a relatively (if not slightly pricey) mainstream crossover. It’s not a Model X or another flagship of sorts.
As he put it, “A Y is a family SUV, so more go isn’t needed – the fast stuff makes more sense in, say, a Model 3. And then there’s the fact that the standard all-wheel drive long-range car is still sub-five to 62mph, has a smidge more range, doesn’t look much different, and costs a straight £10k less.”
At this point, it sounds like the Model Y Performance is indeed an upgrade over the Long Range in terms of driving engagement. At the same time, it’s not a leap-and-bound sort of improvement.
Could Tesla have done more?
That’s a bit curious considering a few small things, like perhaps simulated gear shifts and some fun faux exhaust or rev noises might have amped up the fun like Hyundai does with the (a lot) more expensive Ioniq 5 N. We’ll have to wait to test one stateside to make our own determination. Until then, what do you think of the latest high-spec Model Y?
Tesla’s Model Y Performance is now live on the configurator, priced at $57,490.
The all-wheel drive hero model has a 308-mile range and a 155 mph top speed.
Company has also increased lease prices following govt’s axing of EV tax credits.
Tesla’s facelift of the Model Y SUV hasn’t proved enough to halt a decline in sales, but from this week, there’s a fresh reason to give the automaker’s showrooms some of your time. The range-topping Model Y Performance is officially on sale in the US, and at just $57,490, it looks like a seriously good value for what it puts on the table.
If you’d rather lease the flagship Model Y Performance, Tesla’s current terms start with a $4,300 down payment and $635 per month for 36 months with a 10,000-mile annual limit. Opting for a shorter 24-month lease bumps the payment to $745 per month. The down payment is flexible, however, and can drop as low as $1,427 depending on how you structure the deal.
For that money, you get a bi-motor, all-wheel drive, five-seat SUV that can explode from zero to 60 mph (97 kmh) in just 3.3 seconds, tops out at 155 mph (250 kmh), and has a 308-mile (496 km) range. That compares with 4.6 seconds, 125 mph (201 kmh), and 327 miles (526 km) for the next Model Y down, the $48,990 Long Range All-Wheel Drive.
If you don’t care about the more explosive performance and a selection of other goodies like the body-hugging front sport seats and the improved suspension with adaptive damping that promises to offer a better handling and ride, you’re better off pocketing the $8,500 difference and opting for the Long Range AWD instead.
Options? What Options
Tesla doesn’t offer many options for the Performance, giving buyers the choice of six colors at no extra cost and no alternative wheel selections other than the standard 21-inch Arachnid 2.0 rims. The only really pricey available add-on is the over-promising Full Self-Driving package for $8,000, though buyers can inflate their bill with stuff like a roof rack and air mattress.
We already knew some of the Performance tech details, plus how much it cost in Europe, but until now, US prices remained an unknown quantity. At $57.5k, the Performance massively undercuts Hyundai’s Ioniq 5N, which costs $66,200, but not Ford’s Mustang Mach-E in GT trim. One of those is only $54,495, but it is also half a second slower to 60 mph and has a poor 280-mile range. Then again, the 5N, which does match the Y against the clock, is rated at a pathetic 221 miles (356 km).
Though various states, such as Colorado, offer EV incentives that can bring the price of a Performance lower, the federal EV tax credit program finished at the end of September, having been axed by President Trump. That means no opportunity for a chunky $7,500 discount. And it also means leasing a Tesla just got more expensive.
Lease Prices Jump
Although Tesla so far hasn’t changed the MSRPs of its other cars, it did raise leasing prices when the tax credit availability expired, Reuters reports. Lease deals for the Model Y RWD and AWD jumped from a range of $479-$529 to $529-$599 a month. Meanwhile, Model 3 lease prices, including the Performance, jumped from a range of $349 to $699 to $429 to $759 per month.
Tesla promised the new Roadster in 2020 but it still hasn’t reached production.
MKBHD finally canceled his $50K Roadster reservation after eight years waiting.
Roadster depositors could have made 20x more by investing in Tesla stock instead.
It’s been eight long years since Tesla promised the second-generation Roadster, and yet the car still doesn’t exist outside of renders, prototypes, and Elon’s Twitter, err, sorry, X feed. Back in 2017, Tesla managed to talk plenty of people into dropping $5,000 for a reservation, followed by another $45,000 as a deposit, all with the confident assurance that production would begin in 2020.
The Refund Maze
For years, people have quietly wondered how you cancel a Roadster reservation, assuming anyone at Tesla would, you know, actually pick up the phone. Thanks to YouTuber Marquess Brownlee, better known as MKBHD, we finally know what the process looks like. Predictably, it’s a bit of a mess. Still, reservation holders can get their money back, even if it takes some persistence.
While speaking on a recent podcast, Brownlee said that he paid the $50,000 deposit for a next-gen Roadster when it was first announced in late 2017. When he later decided to cancel, he followed the required steps on the Tesla app and was given a phone number, but when he reached out, his call went straight to voicemail. When he did finally speak with someone, they said they didn’t know how to cancel the order, but assured him that they’d work out how to do it.
Money In, Money Out
Eventually, Tesla was able to confirm to Brownlee that he would receive the refund, but only for the $45,000 deposit, and not the initial $5,000 reservation fee that he had paid. Roughly a week after first sharing the story, the YouTuber took to X to reveal that Tesla had, in fact, also refunded him the $5,000, perhaps after realizing that its own website confirms this $5,000 is “fully refundable.”
The money paid to Tesla by Brownlee, as well as others who have placed deposits on the Roadster, may have been used by the electric automaker to help fund the development costs of the car, as well as other models. Either that, or it has been sitting in an account somewhere collecting interest over the past eight years.
Fun fact, had Brownlee put that $50,000 into Tesla stock back in 2017, when shares were around $22 a piece, instead of reserving a piece of vaporware, he’d be looking at more than $1 million today with the price sitting at $454 on October 1!
Cybertruck denied German approval due to sharp stainless steel body concerns.
A US Army Customs Agency release confirmed soldiers cannot import the vehicle.
Military members importing the truck risk paying to ship it back to America.
If you want to get behind the wheel of a Tesla Cybertruck in Germany, you’re out of luck. Not only is the electric pickup not directly sold by Tesla in the country, but it also fails to comply with European Union safety regulations. And based on a recent document shared online, it seems that not even US military personnel will be permitted to drive the Cybertruck on German roads.
The guidance, shared this week by the U.S. Army Customs Agency, sets out the reasons the Cybertruck is officially barred in Germany.
Rules For Imported Vehicles
Under an agreement between the US military and the German Federal Ministry of Transport (FMoT), American service members can bring in personal vehicles from the US and drive them locally without having to meet all European safety standards. That arrangement, however, doesn’t stretch to the Cybertruck.
According to the agency’s letter, US Forces had asked the FMoT whether military personnel would be allowed to import the truck. The answer was a firm no.
The rejection centers on “significant passive safety concerns.” The Cybertruck lacks EU type-approval because its sharp-edged stainless steel bodywork doesn’t comply with safety standards designed to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. The agency states the truck “deviates significantly” from EU legal requirements and that “safe operation in German public road traffic…is not ensured.”
Attention Not Welcome
Beyond the safety issues, the document also highlights that the Cybertruck would inevitably attract unwanted attention in traffic, which conflicts with the purpose of USAREUR-AF cover plates intended for force protection. As the Customs Agency explained, “For the above reasons, U.S. Army Customs Agency will not issue import certificates for Tesla Cybertrucks.”
The US Army Customs Agency added that any military personnel who do personally import a Cybertruck to Germany risk having to ship it back to the United States at their own expense.
Bidding on this Tesla Cybertruck ended at $76,500 despite low mileage.
The Gulf Racing wrap cost $10,000 but completely failed to spark interest.
Gulf Oil liveries once adorned icons like the McLaren F1 GTR and Porsche 917.
When Tesla started customer deliveries of the Cybertruck in late 2023, it seemed that every man and their dog was trying to buy one. For a brief moment, this demand led to a massive spike in prices on the used market with flippers rushing in to cash out. However, as is so often the case, these prices soon began to crash and can now be so low that it almost beggars belief. Take this 2024 Cybertruck, which recently failed to sell over at Bring a Trailer.
The first thing that stands out about this Cybertruck is the Gulf Racing livery. The blue and orange theme is one of the most iconic liveries ever used in motorsport and has previously adorned racing legends like the McLaren F1 GTR, Porsche 917, and Ford GT40. On a supercar, it looks great, but the livery seems totally out of place on a Cybertruck. Then there’s the fact Gulf is an oil company, so slapping its logo on an EV feels about as fitting as a steakhouse sponsoring a vegan festival.
The Depreciation King
While the aftermarket wrap is a little odd, this Cybertruck is a flagship tri-motor Cyberbeast model, carrying a $105,485 sticker price. Given that it has only been driven 2,200 miles (3,540 km) and was offered with a clean Montana title, it’s a little shocking that bidding topped out at a measly $76,500.
Bring a Trailer
That’s an extreme amount of depreciation, even by Tesla’s usual rollercoaster standards. The top bid came in nearly $29,000 under the original MSRP, which works out to around $13 lost for every mile driven. Factor in the $10,000 spent on the wrap, and the seller is staring at close to $40,000 gone in less than a year.
While the Cybertruck is controversial, as is Tesla chief executive Elon Musk, there’s no denying that the Cyberbeast is quick. Thanks to its three electric motors, it delivers an impressive 845 hp, allowing it to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 2.6 seconds. Evidently, not even the promise of performance like that, or a motorsport-inspired livery, was enough to convince someone to buy this Tesla.
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