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This Fake Tesla Birthday Hoax Was So Convincing It Sparked Real Outrage

  • A Tesla owner decided to play a prank on fellow owners by posting a fake birthday email.
  • In it, “Tesla” says it’ll give the owner an extra horsepower boost for thirty days.
  • Those in the comment section unleashed their frustration with features hidden behind paywalls.

Tesla fans get really excited when new features, trials, or beta programs arrive. That’s probably why very few people realized that a post on Reddit was just a prank by an overeager owner. They reported a birthday reward email supposedly from Tesla offering a 30-day horsepower boost. It turns out that before realizing it was a hoax, many took the chance to bash the US EV maker and other brands for paywall-blocked features.

More: Rivian Will Make You Pay For Extra Power And Range Your EV Already Has

Posted on Reddit’s Tesla Model 3 forum, the main feature was an image. It appeared to be an email directly from Tesla. “Happy Birthday! We are delighted to offer you an exclusive birthday gift: +50 Extra Horsepower,” it said. “Your Tesla has been upgraded with an additional 50 horsepower, effective for the next 30 days.”

A Convincing Fake

At first glance, it looks legitimate. The script looks realistic, the grammar is fine, and it appears to come from no-reply@Tesla.com. That was more than enough to fool several people. The top comments are full of people assuming it’s real. Some ask about future programs based on the idea, others joke about changing their birthday in the Tesla app, and others comment on their excitement about it.

At the same time, it left some fans feeling disillusioned and annoyed. Several made comments to that effect. “…is it just me that thinks that’s absolutely ridiculous? If I have the hardware, why would I pay to use the hardware? That’s like buying a computer with 16gb of ram, only having 12, and then getting an email “unlocking” the other 4gb for 30 days.

“Just… stupid. Either sell me the car without the extra horsepower (so, without the hardware that makes it possible)… or let me use all the horsepower it can produce. This is just… awful,” said one. After another commented on how cool it was that you could download extra horsepower, another responded, “You mean mildly infuriated it’s locked behind a paywall.”

A Familiar Practice

Of course, in this case, the birthday gift wasn’t real, but it’s not as if Tesla doesn’t offer similar products. As of this writing, buyers can unlock features that the hardware they own is already capable of, like additional range or speed.

Notably, Tesla is far from the only brand to offer this sort of thing. Several brands offer similar ‘subscription services’, from extra power to adaptive suspension. Unless buyers unite to condemn this type of practice, it’ll probably never end.

 This Fake Tesla Birthday Hoax Was So Convincing It Sparked Real Outrage

Credit: glebulon / Reddit

Tesla Sales Crash Deepens As Rivals Eat Into Market Share

  • Tesla delivered 60,000 fewer cars in Q2 2025 than in Q2 2024.
  • This period’s 14 percent drop follows a 13 percent decline in Q1.
  • Tesla faces a Musk backlash in Europe and strong rivals in China.

Any investors praying Tesla’s awful sales performance in the first quarter of 2025 was merely a blip have just had their hopes dashed. The troubled automaker announced its Q2 numbers and they show an even bigger year-over-year decline than the ones covering January to March.

Also: A Model Y Drove 30 Minutes To Deliver Itself To Its New Owner

Global deliveries declined 14 percent in Q2, falling from 410,244 to 384,122, making the most recent quarter’s performance marginally worse than Q1’s. For that period Tesla recorded a 13 percent drop after sales sunk by 50,000 to 336,681 units.

Sales Still Centered on Model 3 and Model Y

Tesla didn’t offer a complete breakdown of its Q2 numbers by model or region, but it did reveal that the Model 3 and Model Y accounted for practically all of its sales. The automaker delivered 373,728 Model 3 and Y EVs, and only 10,394 of its other cars, which include the Model S, Model X and Cybertruck, combined. The electric automaker also said it produced over 410,000 vehicles of all types.

Although delivery figures aren’t exactly the same as sales numbers, they’re close enough to give us a solid idea of the problems faced by Tesla, and the buying public’s apathy for its cars. Those problems include widespread dislike of Tesla CEO Elon Musk due to his vocal right-wing opinions and association with DOGE and the Trump administration, which is one of the reasons sales have cratered in Europe in recent months.

TESLA Q2 SALES
ProductionDeliveries
Model 3/Y396,835373,728
Other Models13,40910,394
Total410,244384,122
SWIPE

Intensifying Competition in China and Beyond

And in China, a key market for Tesla, the American brand is battling against a slew of hi-tech rivals that seem intent on pushing prices downwards to the detriment of profitability. Some of those same Chinese rivals are also now causing Tesla problems in other markets. In April BYD sold more EVs than Tesla in Europe, where the Model Y and 3 are struggling to regain their sales form despite recent facelifts.

Although Tesla’s Q2 performance looks dire, the figures aren’t as bad as some analysts had feared. And Deepwater Asset Management’s Gene Munster predicted the quarter represented a bottoming out for Tesla, which could bounce back in future periods, CNBC reports. Tesla will announced its complete Q2 financial results on July 23.

 Tesla Sales Crash Deepens As Rivals Eat Into Market Share
Tesla

Tesla Model Y And 3 Get Surprising Speed And Range Upgrade In China

  • Tesla has boosted the range of certain Chinese EVs by 25 miles without increasing battery size.
  • Model 3 LR AWD is now rated at 468 miles, and the equivalent Model Y at 466 miles, on the CLTC.
  • Model 3’s 0-62 mph time drops from 4.4 to 3.8 seconds, but the improved sedan costs more.

Tesla’s new Model Y only made its debut a few months ago, but faced with flagging sales and aggressive rivals, the automaker is already making changes to make it and the Model 3 more appealing to buyers – specifically Chinese buyers.

Long Range AWD versions of the facelifted Model Y and Model 3 sold in China now go further on a charge and are faster from stoplights thanks to minor tweaks announced this week. Without changing the size of the battery, Tesla now claims the Y can do 466 miles (750 km) on a single charge, up from 447 miles (719 km) under China’s CLTC testing cycle.

Related: A Model Y Drove 30 Minutes To Deliver Itself To Its New Owner

And the Model 3 enjoys an even bigger boost, gaining 25 miles (40 km) to take total claimed range to 468 miles (753 km), though these numbers are Chinese CLTC figures and not comparable with more honest EPA estimates. Tesla quotes 327 miles (526 km) for a US-spec Y LR AWD and 346 miles (557 km) for a Model 3.

The Model 3 is also much faster following Tesla’s spec adjustment, needing just 3.8 seconds to hit 62 mph (100 km/h), rather than 4.4 seconds. It’s not clear how this was achieved, but Car News China speculates it could be because Tesla has made standard the Sports acceleration feature that was previously a ¥14,100 ($2,000) option.

 Tesla Model Y And 3 Get Surprising Speed And Range Upgrade In China
Tesla
 Tesla Model Y And 3 Get Surprising Speed And Range Upgrade In China

The Model Y is far less speedy, requiring 4.3 seconds. Neither of those acceleration figures matches up with the numbers Tesla advertises in Europe, where the Model 3 claims a 4.4-second 0-62 mph time, but the Y is said to need 4.8 seconds.

The upgrades come at no extra cost on the Model Y, which stickers at ¥313,500 ($43,800), but they add ¥10,000 ($1,400) to the price of a Model 3 Long Range AWD, which is now ¥285,500 ($39,900). For context, the equivalent Model Y in the US is $2,310 cheaper than in China, though only when factoring in the $7,500 federal tax credit, while the Model 3 is just $90 more expensive.

It remains to be seen whether these upgrades will make their way to other markets. Tesla hasn’t confirmed any plans yet, but buyers in Europe and North America will likely be watching closely to see if the same range and performance improvements roll out beyond China.

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Tesla

A Gas Model Quietly Dethroned The EV King As The World’s Best Selling Car

  • The RAV4 reportedly topped global 2024 sales, narrowly beating the Model Y.
  • Toyota claimed five of the world’s top ten vehicles in 2024’s sales rankings.
  • The BYD Qin was the only Chinese vehicle to crack the global top ten list.

Even as the global car market continues to shift, one thing remains certain: Toyota knows how to move metal. After a brief detour in second place, the Toyota RAV4 is back on top as the world’s best-selling car, edging out the Tesla Model Y by a sliver.

And it’s not just the soon-to-be-replaced RAV4 doing the heavy lifting, as Toyota has managed to land five models in the global top ten, including the Corolla Cross, Corolla sedan, Hilux, and Camry.

More: New RAV4, See Every Angle And Hidden Detail

This ranking comes from industry analyst Felipe Munoz, who compiled a detailed snapshot of 2024’s global car sales by model. His methodology pulls from a wide mix of sources, including national statistics offices, dealership associations, customs data, specialized websites, blogs, other analysts, and informed estimates. According to Munoz, the ranking covers 153 markets, accounting for roughly 99% of all cars sold globally.

Toyota Retakes the Lead, Barely

 A Gas Model Quietly Dethroned The EV King As The World’s Best Selling Car

Combined sales of the Toyota RAV4 and its China-market twin, the Wildlander, reached 1,187,000 units in 2024. That was just enough to slide past the Tesla Model Y, which landed at 1,185,000 units. It’s a narrow win, but a win nonetheless.

It’s important to note that both the RAV4 and Model Y were refreshed shortly after the period covered by this report. Toyota rolled out a full redesign for the RAV4, that hasn’t gone on sale yet while Tesla introduced its updated Model Y Juniper that’s already available.

That said, the Model Y still holds the title for best-selling EV worldwide by a comfortable margin. Its 2025 numbers, however, are already showing signs of slowing.

Compact Crossovers Keep Climbing

The Toyota Corolla Cross occupied the third place with 859,000 sales, benefiting from the fact it is offered in many different markets around the world. The compact crossover was closely followed by the Honda CR-V/Breeze SUV that sold 854,000 units.

Toyota’s dominance continues with the Corolla / Levin Sedan (697,000 units) in the fifth place and the Toyota Hilux (617,000 units) in the sixth place.

World’s Best Selling Pickup

The aging Hilux is due for a new generation soon, but that didn’t stop it from becoming the world’s best-selling pickup. Despite not being sold in North America or China, two massive truck markets, it still managed to outpace all competitors. Right behind it in the global rankings is the Ford F-150, which sold 595,000 units and claimed seventh place overall. In the US, the F-150 was the second best-selling vehicle of 2024, coming in just behind the RAV4.

More: Cracks Are Beginning To Appear In China’s Largest EV Maker

Rounding out the top ten are three sedans that continue to hold their ground in a market that increasingly leans toward crossovers and SUVs. The Toyota Camry took eighth with 593,000 sales, followed by the Tesla Model 3 at 560,000 and the BYD Qin at 502,000. BYD’s entry marks the only Chinese brand on the list this year, underscoring the company’s steady rise as a global competitor in both EVs and internal combustion vehicles.

 A Gas Model Quietly Dethroned The EV King As The World’s Best Selling Car
A new generation of the Toyota RAV4 debuted earlier this year.

Tesla Admits A Flaw In Some Of Its New Cars Could Pose A Safety Risk

  • Certain Tesla models may have seat fasteners that are not correctly torqued.
  • The company became aware of the issue after a customer complaint in May.

Tesla is no stranger to recalls in the United States, but more often than not, its vehicles can be fixed with a simple over-the-air software update. However, that’s not the case with their latest recall, which will require owners to return their cars to a store or service center to be fixed. Making things worse for Tesla is the fact that the recall is for the brand-new 2026 Model Y and Model 3.

A safety report reveals that one or more fasteners joining the seat back to the seat base may not have been torqued correctly during assembly. Owners of vehicles with the defect may now have a loose or rattling seat. Unsurprisingly, the NHTSA and Tesla have determined this poses a safety risk in the event of a crash, prompting a recall.

Read: Tesla Starts 2025 With Recall For 240,000 EVs, Some May Need New Computers

Fortunately for Tesla, the recall only impacts 48 vehicles in the United States, of which just 2.1% are estimated to contain the defect. Cars being recalled include 30 Tesla Model Ys built between April 3, 2025, and May 7, 2025, as well as 18 Model 3s manufactured from Apr 3, 2025, to April 16, 2025.

The NHTSA recall reveals the fault could affect either the driver or front passenger seat, or both. Tesla became aware of an issue on May 12 after it received a customer complaint. It was quickly determined that 2 of the 4 fasteners used to secure the seat back to the seat bottom on the driver’s seat were completely missing.

 Tesla Admits A Flaw In Some Of Its New Cars Could Pose A Safety Risk

Tesla claims to have pinpointed the root cause of the issue. It states that on April 2, 2025, a production change at the factory made it possible to manually advance the seat assembly from the backup manual assembly station without the system having to verify that the fasteners were present or torqued correctly.

Owners impacted by the recall will be notified on August 16. Dealers have been instructed to inspect the seat assemblies and, if necessary, replace any missing or incorrectly tightened fasteners.

 Tesla Admits A Flaw In Some Of Its New Cars Could Pose A Safety Risk

Driver Blames FSD After Tesla Drives Onto Tracks And Gets Hit By A Train

  • A train struck a Tesla Model 3 in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, June 14.
  • The driver reportedly claimed the car was in Full Self-Driving mode and actively caused the incident.
  • A specialty tow rig retrieved the car from the tracks without further visible damage.

Imagine setting your semi-autonomous vehicle to take the wheel, only to have it veer off the road and onto active train tracks. At least that’s what one Tesla Model 3 driver claims happened during an early morning drive. While everyone inside the car escaped unharmed, the driver wasted no time pointing fingers at the car’s Full Self-Driving system after the incident.

More: Deadly Tesla Crash Raises Questions About Vision-Based Self-Driving Systems

Western Berks Fire Commissioner Jared Renshaw told local news outlet WFMZ that the car, “Went down the tracks approximately 40-50 feet.” According to the driver’s account, the Tesla apparently mistook the train tracks for a road and followed them as if that were a normal route. Renshaw added that the driver claimed the vehicle was in Full Self-Driving mode at the time.

A Close Call with a Passing Train

The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m., and just minutes later, a train passed by and clipped the Tesla’s mirror. Fortunately, by that point, all occupants were out of the vehicle and in a safe location. Even so, the track had to be temporarily shut down to allow crews to remove the car without risking further incidents.

According to Spitlers Garage and Towing, which posted photos of the recovery on its Facebook page, a specialized rig was needed to handle the job. The team there used a rotating crane to lift and extract the Model 3 without additional damage. Based on photos from the scene, it wouldn’t be too surprising if the Tesla managed to drive away.

Plenty of Questions, Not a Lot of Answers

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Photos Spitlers Garage & Towing’s / Facebook

It’s important to note here that there are a great many details missing from this account.For starters, there are no direct quotes or context from the driver. While FSD is certainly failable, it would be very strange for it to do what the driver alleges. Not only would it have to disregard the GPS coordinates of the road itself, but it would also call into question what the driver was doing.

Did they not think to stop the car when it started to go around the train barrier? Why not hit the brakes when it first turned onto the train tracks? Why wait til it was several yards down the track?

Also, don’t forget that Tesla doesn’t market Full Self-Driving as an autonomous chauffeur. It markets it as a supervised system, one that still needs a human behind the wheel, paying attention. Here’s what Tesla’s own manual says:

“Like other Autopilot features, Full Self-Driving (Supervised) requires a fully attentive driver and will display a series of escalating warnings requiring driver response. You must keep your hands on the steering wheel while Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is engaged.While Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is engaged, the cabin camera monitors driver attentiveness (see Driver Attentiveness).

There are just too many questions here to blindly believe that this was completely the result of Full Self-Driving on its own. We’ve reached out to Commissioner Renshaw for additional details and will update you here if we hear back.

 Driver Blames FSD After Tesla Drives Onto Tracks And Gets Hit By A Train
Spitlers Garage & Towing’s

Tesla’s Latest Model 3 And Y Just Got Slammed

  • T-Demand revealed modified Tesla Model 3 and Y EVs with an extreme lowrider stance.
  • Both EVs feature custom air suspension, upgraded brakes, and aftermarket alloy wheels.
  • Chassis upgrades favor aggressive style over usability and come with a steep price tag.

While Tesla’s clean-cut image typically favors minimalist design over wild customization, that hasn’t stopped some tuners from giving its EVs a much more dramatic makeover. Japanese outfit T-Demand, best known for modifying Toyotas and Lexuses, has now set its sights on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, bringing with it a distinctively low-slung attitude.

True to its roots, T-Demand has outfitted both Teslas with its signature suspension components, drastically altering their stance. The result? Two EVs that ride far lower than anything that ever rolled off a Fremont assembly line.

More: Toyota Crown Signia Turned Into The Wagon It Was Always Meant To Be

Starting with the Tesla Model Y Juniper, the electric crossover rides on a new set of 21-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in low-profile Nitto tires (245/35R21). Thanks to a custom air suspension setup, ground clearance has been dropped to sports car levels, making the Model Y look more like its Model 3 sibling.

It’s not just lower, it’s also wider in presence thanks to a steep 5.5 degrees of negative camber at both axles. T-Demand didn’t stop there, adding a performance brake kit with 380 mm (15-inch) discs and six-piston calipers for good measure.

Model 3 Highland Goes Even Lower

The Model 3 Highland follows the same theme but takes the specs a step further. It rides on 20-inch alloys paired with stretched 255/30R20 tires, and features an even more aggressive alignment: 8 degrees of negative camber up front, and 9 degrees at the rear.

This sedan also benefits from custom suspension arms (ProArm) and rides on a three-stage height-adjustable air suspension (ProDamper Airsus). In its lowest setting, the belly of the Tesla barely clears the tarmac, making it best suited for Japan’s smooth highways rather than your typical street with speed bumps and potholes.

 Tesla’s Latest Model 3 And Y Just Got Slammed
The modified Tesla Model 3 (above) compared to the Model Y (below).
 Tesla’s Latest Model 3 And Y Just Got Slammed

Both demo cars were built by Man’z Factory and are based on rear-wheel-drive variants. Finished in white with stock body panels and single-motor electric drivetrains, they stick to visual and suspension upgrades rather than chasing performance.

Clean Look, Steep Price

Of course, achieving this extreme stance doesn’t come cheap. The basic air suspension kit, which includes a pressure management system, is priced at ¥780,000 ($5,400). Add the full ProArm suspension components, and you’re looking at an additional ¥1,204,500 ($8,400). The high-performance brake kit adds another ¥1,280,400 ($8,900), and that’s before you add the new wheels and tires.

More: Europeans Are Done With Tesla Except For One Country That Can’t Stop Buying

All the aforementioned prices are before taxes and don’t include fitment. For US customers interested in bringing this Japanese styling stateside, we reached out to T-Demand’s American division for a quote, but have yet to receive a response.

The slammed look won’t win over everyone, especially since it comes at the expense of everyday practicality and doesn’t offer any real performance gains. Still, there’s no question the ultra-low stance will turn heads, and probably spark more than a few double takes, everywhere it goes.

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T-Demand

Why This Tesla Has Cameras Instead Of A Rear Window Is Anyone’s Guess

  • This Model 3 wears a gold finish that even covers the roof and rear window.
  • Tesla added multiple new exterior cameras to this curious prototype vehicle.
  • Could be a Cybercab test mule or an early version of Tesla’s upcoming robotaxi.

Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions appear to be moving from concept to curb, with autonomous testing expected to begin later this month on the streets of Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, a curious-looking Model 3 prototype spotted in San Jose is stirring up speculation. Whether it’s a one-off experiment or a cleverly disguised test mule for the upcoming Cybercab, one thing’s clear; it’s not your typical Tesla.

The prototype was recently caught on video in a public parking lot in California and was wearing Texas manufacturer plates, meaning this was definitely not a privately owned car. Just like the Cybercab Tesla showed several months ago, the entire exterior of the prototype is finished in matte gold, which could be either a wrap or paint. The gold extends across the special aero covers on the wheels and even blocks out the entire rear window and the glass roof.

Read: Tesla’s Robotaxi And Cybercab Might Need New Names

There are some other interesting things going on with this particular Model 3.Up front, a new camera juts out from the bumper, and on the sides, the usual integrated cameras have been swapped for makeshift units crudely screwed into the quarter panels. Another additional camera has been tacked onto the trunk lid, rounding out the prototype’s growing collection of eyeballs.

@WholeMarsBlog @DirtyTesLa @AIDRIVR what the hell is this thing?? 👀 pic.twitter.com/ATYxTrXEeV

— Andrew Lopez (@ASVPxdrizzle) June 2, 2025

Perhaps leading credence to the theory that this is a test mule for the Cybercab is that the rear side windows have been blanked out, and sitting behind them are fixed camera units. The Cybercab showcased by Tesla last October had cameras in this very same position, unlike any other current Tesla model. Curiously, the B-pillar trim was missing from this car.

Unless, of course, you know, someone at Tesla decided that the same genius move that replaced turn stalks with steering wheel buttons should be extended to axing the glass roof and rear window for the sake of efficiency.

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has said that production of the Cybercab will start before 2027, and indicated that prices will kick off from less than $30,000. Those are audacious targets, particularly for a carmaker like Tesla that is so well known for missing its production targets.

Tesla needs to wrap their Model Y Robotaxis like this https://t.co/egNxgTVoKL pic.twitter.com/Bur30y4Caa

— Nic Cruz Patane (@niccruzpatane) June 3, 2025
 Why This Tesla Has Cameras Instead Of A Rear Window Is Anyone’s Guess

For $250, Make Your Tesla Feel More Like A Launch Series

  • Tesla adds faux suede dashboard upgrade to Model 3 and Model Y via online store.
  • Previously exclusive to Model Y Launch Series, the trim is now available for all buyers.
  • It costs $250 in US and $345 in Canada with installation included at service centers.

Tesla’s interiors have always marched to the beat of their own drum – spartan, screen-centric, and unapologetically minimal. If you were holding out for plush armrests and quilted leather seats, well, you were looking at the wrong brand. That said, a little upgrade has quietly slipped onto the scene, and it might just take the edge off that utilitarian vibe.

While the Model 3 and Model Y remain solid choices in the EV market, they’ve never been praised for luxurious cabins. Tesla has always leaned hard into simplicity, choosing clean lines and uncluttered surfaces over traditional comfort cues. But now, there’s a small step toward softness: a new interior option that adds a touch of upscale texture.

Read: Tesla Just Made The New Model Y Leases More Affordable Than Ever

Recently added to the Tesla Shop is a piece of 100% vegan suede finished in black that can be added to the dashboard of the two models. This trim sits behind the steering column and the central infotainment screen, promising to add a nice area of soft-touch material and a slightly more premium feel.

The Tesla Model Y Launch Series actually launched with this same piece of vegan suede trim, but it’s only now available across the rest of the 2024+ Model 3 and 2025+ Model Y line-up. It costs $250 in the US and $345 in Canada and can be added to newly-ordered vehicles and fitted at a Tesla Service Center. Current owners can also order the trim and have it installed at a service center, with fitting costs included in the price.

Typically, this part of the dashboard is wrapped in a standard textile, functional, but far from upscale. The new material is a simple tweak, but for a brand that rarely goes in for interior frills, it stands out. Sort of.

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Leasing Deals Too

This month, Tesla has also launched some tempting new US leasing deals for the updated Model Y. It’s now possible to lease a Long Range RWD for $491 a month on a 36-month, 10,000-mile-per-year lease before taxes and fees. Importantly, this deal doesn’t require a down payment. State EV incentives can reduce the lease to under $400, depending on where you live.

For those who’d prefer to finance a new Model Y, Tesla has you covered, too. The Long Range All-Wheel Drive is available with an APR of 1.99%, but does require a down payment of 15% in addition to applicable taxes and fees.

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One Of These EVs Proves You Can’t Fake Your Way To Performance

  • The Tesla sedan accelerates quicker than the Dodge despite having less power.
  • The Model 3’s handling is more predictable, but the Charger pulls stronger later G.
  • A pair of six-cylinder versions of the new-age Charger will hit the market soon.

The reception to the all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona has been, well, less than enthusiastic. Critics have pointed out that it’s too heavy, too bulky, and, frankly, feels somewhat half-baked. To top it off, it doesn’t set your pulse racing the way the classic V8-powered Challenger did. Things have gotten so rough that Dodge has decided to pull the plug on the base Daytona R/T for the 2026 model year, leaving only the Scat Pack as the remaining option.

Read: You Aren’t Buying It, So Dodge Is Killing The Electric Charger Daytona R/T (Update)

So, how does the Charger Daytona Scat Pack stack up against the competition? Edmunds recently put it head-to-head with one of the best value-for-money electric performance cars around right now, the Tesla Model 3 Performance, in their U-Drag race.

Edmunds’ U-Drag Race pits two cars against each other in a straight-up test of acceleration and handling, with real-world drag racing and tight cornering on display. It’s a test of how these cars actually perform when pushed to their limits.

Price Gap: More Than Just a Numbers Game

Let’s talk numbers for a moment. The Tesla comes in at a much lower price, $56,630 with destination charges included, while the Charger Daytona Scat Pack starts at $70,190 with no options. Add in a few optional features, and that gap widens to nearly $28,000. Both cars qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit. But let’s not get distracted by the price just yet; it’s time to talk performance.

 One Of These EVs Proves You Can’t Fake Your Way To Performance
Edmunds

Tesla’s Clear Edge in Acceleration

Accelerating away from the line, the Model 3 Performance has the clear advantage. Tesla says its twin electric motors combine to produce 510 hp and 554 lb-ft (751 Nm), whereas Dodge says the Charger Scat Pack is good for 670 hp and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm). On paper, it’s a tight match. The more powerful Dodge claims a 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds, while Tesla states the Model 3 Performance hits 60 mph with a rollout in just 2.9 seconds.

In reality, not only does the Tesla easily pull away in both races, but even as the speeds exceed 60 mph, it continues to stretch ahead, arriving at the braking point well ahead of the Charger. In the first race, the driver of the Dodge was able to close the distance under braking, but the Model 3 handles better and performs a tighter and quicker U-turn, thanks in part to its more neutral handling, the reviewers note.

During its tests, Edmunds recorded a best 0-60 mph time in the Tesla of 3.1 seconds and 3.7 seconds for the Dodge. The Model 3 then stormed down the quarter mile in 11.3 seconds at 122.1 mph (196.4 km/h), compared to the 12.0 seconds of the Dodge at 118.7 mph (191.0 km/h). Interestingly, the Charger had the advantage in lateral grip, pulling a peak of 1.19G compared to the Tesla’s 1.13G. But, that wasn’t enough to make up for its slower acceleration.

Tesla’s Chinese-Made Cars Just Got Steamrolled As Rivals Soar

  • Tesla sold 58,459 China-built Model 3 and Model Y vehicles globally in April.
  • Tesla exports vehicles from China to regions like Europe and the Asia-Pacific.
  • Nio, Xpeng, and Xiaomi all posted substantial year-over-year sales increases.

Tesla’s massive factory in Shanghai, China, has the capacity to build roughly 1 million vehicles every year. However, it could fall quite short of that number this year based on disappointing sales figures of its Chinese-made models in April, which slipped 25.8% from the month prior.

The China Passenger Car Association revealed that a total of 58,459 Tesla Model 3s and Model Ys built in China were sold last month. Importantly, this figure isn’t a reflection of the total number of vehicles that Tesla sold in China alone, but also includes other markets where it sells Shanghai-built vehicles, including Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Read: Tesla Sales Crash Over 80% In Sweden And That’s Just The Beginning

This is just the latest episode of Tesla’s sales drop saga in recent days. In April, its sales collapsed in key European markets like Spain, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and the UK. Its sales have also tanked in Australia, where, not too long ago, it was the EV leader. In April, seven other EV models from Chinese and Korean brands outsold the Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3.

 Tesla’s Chinese-Made Cars Just Got Steamrolled As Rivals Soar

Rivals Are Closing In

Many factors at play can help to explain why Tesla sales continue to fall. Obviously, negative public sentiment about chief executive Elon Musk is one of them, particularly due to his meddling in politics, not just in the US but around the world as well. Additionally, Tesla has a relatively limited and aging line-up of EVs compared to some of its competitors, with the Model 3 and Model Y being the serious volume sellers.

Rivals are also quickly gaining ground on the American brand. In April, Nio’s sales grew 53% from a year ago, with 23,900 vehicles sold. Additionally, Xpeng recorded its second-best month ever, securing 35,045 sales. Xiaomi also managed to deliver more than 28,000 vehicles in April while Li Auto’s sales rose 32% to 33,939.

 Tesla’s Chinese-Made Cars Just Got Steamrolled As Rivals Soar

Tesla Selling Some Used Model 3s and Ys With Battery Warranties Up To 160,000 Miles

  • One of the Model 3s with 62,000 miles has a $19,000 asking price.
  • The EVs are still covered by their factory battery and drive unit warranties.
  • Some of the cars also include a limited warranty of up to 80,000 miles.

If you’re in the market for a used car, you’ll generally find the best deal on the private market, but that route isn’t for everyone. Many people prefer the convenience of buying through a dealer or directly from the automaker. For those looking to minimize the stress of buying a used car, Tesla’s used inventory might seem like an attractive option, though it’s not without its issues.

Read: Used EV Prices Plummet 32% As Tesla Price Cuts Impact Industry

The main drawback? You won’t even see the car until you’ve paid a non-refundable $500 deposit, plus anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars in transport fees. And by “see the car,” we mean no photos of the actual vehicle – nothing. Just trust the process, apparently.

Yes, we know Tesla isn’t viewed in the best light at the moment, but that doesn’t change the fact that it continues to build some of the finest EVs on the market. It also has some reasonably priced used examples it’s looking to offload, and plenty of them come with very generous warranties.

Five of the most tempting we’ve come across include three first-gen Model Ys and two first-gen Model 3s. The cheapest of the bunch is a 2020 Model 3 Standard Range Plus Rear-Wheel Drive with an asking price of $19,000. While the car has been driven 62,092 miles (99,927 km), a look through AutoTrader shows that similar Model 3s with around the same mileage generally have asking prices between $18,000 and $22,000, so this example is reasonably well-priced.

 Tesla Selling Some Used Model 3s and Ys With Battery Warranties Up To 160,000 Miles
 Tesla Selling Some Used Model 3s and Ys With Battery Warranties Up To 160,000 Miles

Perhaps of most interest to a potential buyer is that it will include a 1-year / 10,000-mile limited warranty from Tesla itself. Additionally, the balance of the original battery and drive unit warranty is fully transferable and lasts until September 2028 or 160,000 miles. Several used Model 3s and Ys have also been advertised with an additional basic vehicle limited warranty that extends until up to 2026 with 50,000 or even 80,000 miles.

Another 2021 Model 3 Standard Range Plus Rear-Wheel Drive has been listed for $19,800, but it has a battery and drive unit warranty lasting until October 2029 / 160,000 miles. However, the listing notes it is ‘repaired,’ without specifying what repairs have been made to it.

The three Model Ys in Tesla’s used inventory have also been listed as repaired vehicles. They all include the 1-year / 10,000-mile limited warranty and have battery and drive unit warranties that extend until August 2028 and December 2028.

 Tesla Selling Some Used Model 3s and Ys With Battery Warranties Up To 160,000 Miles
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