Tesla: New Mannequin 3 Possibility, VIP Remedy for Elon’s FSD, Robotaxi Prototype Delay?

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There are just a few new Tesla tales this week, and I’m rolling all of them collectively right here right into a Tesla information sandwich for you. There’ll in all probability be one other Tesla story pop up earlier than I get this printed. If that’s the case, we’ll get that one tonight or this weekend.

New Tesla Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary

This morning, Tesla despatched out an electronic mail to individuals on its electronic mail checklist (like me) to tell us there’s a brand new Mannequin 3 possibility available on the market. That’s the Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary with rear-wheel drive (RWD). Beforehand, you possibly can purchase a Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary with all-wheel drive (AWD) or a Mannequin 3 (not Lengthy Vary) RWD.

Again when the Tesla Mannequin 3 was fairly new to the market, in 2018, there was a long-range RWD possibility, and it was fairly widespread, however it didn’t final lengthy and Tesla separated the higher-cost Mannequin 3 from the lower-cost Mannequin 3 extra distinctly — presumably, to squeeze extra income out of individuals wanting extra vary. (Curiously, three of our writers obtained that unique Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary RWD.)

As I wrote a pair days in the past, Tesla appears to be dealing with client demand challenges within the US, Europe, and China. The corporate retains looking for new strategies of stimulating extra demand — providing Full Self Driving (FSD) transfers to new autos, reducing costs, providing artificially low rates of interest, and so forth. — and this looks as if one other try to fire up extra demand, or not less than shake some potential patrons off the fence and into their nearest Tesla supply heart.

What is definitely being supplied on this case? “Journey as much as 363 miles (EPA est.) on a single cost and benefit from the efficiency and dealing with of our rear-wheel drive powertrain for longer,” Tesla writes. “Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary Rear-Wheel Drive is right here, beginning at $29,990* after federal tax credit score and estimated fuel financial savings.” That was the total pitch within the electronic mail.

It’s actually a compelling provide, so I assume it can certainly fire up just a few extra gross sales. Get one whereas they’re scorching!

Tesla Robotaxi Reveal Reportedly Delayed

It’s been rumored or leaked that Tesla goes to delay its robotaxi reveal occasion for someday in October fairly than August 8. Reportedly, Tesla engineers want extra time to each construct and check prototypes of the robotaxi.

Assuming that is true (and we’ll discover out quickly), it confirms some issues I and plenty of others assumed. To begin with, it appears to substantiate that this reveal occasion is for a robotaxi car idea, one thing by no means able to hit the streets and begin working in a metropolis close to you. For some motive, I noticed lots of people considering that the 8/8 occasion would launch industrial Tesla robotaxi service someplace. That appeared not possible, and it appears rather more unlikely now.

In fact, it additionally tells us that Elon Musk’s estimate for when a robotaxi prototype could possibly be prepared was overly optimistic, and one even has to marvel if it wasn’t a rush announcement with out a lot or any prep truly resulting in it. Was it only a sudden announcement to distract from dropping car gross sales at Tesla? Was it primarily based on fast progress in FSD and confidence that now was the time to finalize a car design for robotaxi service? Perhaps we’ll get a report on that in some unspecified time in the future.

Elon Musk’s Automobile & YouTubers Prioritized for Tesla FSD Enhancements?

One other report out this week reveals that Elon Musk’s automobile and sure “VIP” FSD testers on YouTube had been getting preferential remedy for FSD analysis, and thus additionally enhancements that may be seen on their common driving routes. “BI spoke with over a dozen present and former Tesla staff, all however one who spoke on situation of anonymity, who stated photos and video clips from Musk’s Teslas acquired meticulous scrutiny, whereas knowledge from high-profile drivers like YouTubers acquired ‘VIP’ remedy in figuring out and addressing points with the Full Self-Driving software program. The result’s that Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD software program might higher navigate routes taken by Musk and different high-profile drivers, making their rides smoother and extra simple.”

I didn’t even must get to that half earlier than I noticed what the story should be about. After I noticed the headline in a group author chat, I wrote, “I haven’t learn the article but, however I collect it’s saying that Elon’s automobile will get particular remedy? That’s been speculated or was even revealed a pair years in the past. And it’s been one of many solely issues that has defined to me him raving about how significantly better it’s gotten after I haven’t seen such progress.” And relating to sure VIP YouTubers and X customers getting preferential consideration as effectively, I added, “it’s why I ended listening to what others had been saying about it and began simply utilizing it myself earlier than I believed something.” For a very long time, I had seen tons of hype on social media about how significantly better FSD had gotten, however then after I’d use it, it might nonetheless behave horribly. Sooner or later, I simply determined it made no sense to comply with what these different FSD customers had been saying as a result of it didn’t match up with my actuality.

Nevertheless, model 12 was the exception. With model 12, FSD did enhance by leaps and bounds and obtained rather more pure in its driving conduct. It nonetheless runs into issues, however it’s far, much better than it was beforehand.

I do now marvel if Elon’s automobile nonetheless will get preferential consideration and remedy, and if outstanding social media customers additionally nonetheless get “VIP” remedy.

Nevertheless, one of many greater points with this report, assuming it’s all true, is that optimizing FSD for outstanding YouTubers could possibly be a method of manipulating public opinion about FSD. Many have gone as far as to say that it’s a method of defrauding prospects and traders. I don’t actually discover myself in that camp, although. I believe that apart from taking a look at an infinite quantity of information and attempting to sift by way of it, whereas avoiding the noise, Elon Musk or others on the FSD group pointed the broader group to good, reliable FSD testers among the many public who they might be taught from and whose experiences could possibly be used to enhance the expertise. Or possibly the reality is someplace in between and it’s some combination of the pessimistic and optimistic views of this information. Tell us what you assume and why.