The Tesla Model 3 Thread

Tesla Model 3 refresh to bring a CATL battery boost

Tesla is set to give Model 3 a facelift, enhancing its battery power among other improvements. The upgraded base model, sporting rear-wheel drive, will be utilizing Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd's (CATL) new M3P lithium iron phosphate battery. In what can be seen as a significant upgrade, the battery capacity will go up from 60 kWh to 66 kWh.

Consistent with its previous approach, Tesla continues its tradition of upgrading batteries with every model refresh. For instance, the standard range version of the China-made Model 3 was previously upgraded from 55 kWh to 60 kWh.

The new 66 kWh battery pack is not exclusive to the new Model 3. Future modifications of the Model Y can also utilize this improved battery. This enhancement is projected to increase the driving range of the China-made Model 3. Currently, the rear-drive version has a WLTP range of 510 km (EPA 430 km), which is set to rise with the added 6 kWh battery capacity.

The upgraded Model 3, codenamed 'Highland,' is expected to hit the market in the third quarter of this year. Tesla's factory in Shanghai, the world's largest Tesla production site, will be responsible for production of this model. The factory, which currently produces the Model 3 and Model Y, boasts an annual capacity of approximately 1.1 million vehicles.

 
Tesla replaces white with Midnight Silver as its standard color

In an unexpected and refreshing move, Tesla US has changed its standard paint color for the Model 3 and Model Y. The company has switched the base paint from pristine Pearl White to sophisticated Midnight Silver. This means any paint color other than Midnight Silver will set customers back by at least an additional €900.

This recent shift brings to mind an age-old quip by Henry Ford. He once famously declared, “Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black,” a statement that underlined Ford's emphasis on efficiency over aesthetics for the Model T.

When Tesla initially launched the Model 3, it followed a similar strategy to Ford. The standard paint option was exclusively black, with other hues demanding an extra €900 premium. This decision echoed Ford's efficiency-driven approach, aimed at streamlining production in Tesla's case. As Tesla navigated through the labyrinth of increasing production numbers, it axed certain paint options to enhance efficiency even further. Consequently, the result was a wave of black Tesla vehicles populating the streets as Tesla accelerated production.

However, the color monotony eventually shifted in 2019 when Tesla switched from black to white as the standard paint color. This transition ushered in an era of sparkling white Teslas, which has lasted until this recent change.

The announcement about the new standard color, Midnight Silver, came as Tesla updated its online configurator for Model 3 and Model Y. Notably, the higher-end Model S and Model X remain untouched by this change, with white still reigning as their standard color.

 
Entire fleet of Tesla's upcoming Model 3 Highland spotted in New Zealand

Excitement mounts in the world of electric vehicles with the spotlight cast on Tesla's forthcoming Model 3 variant, dubbed "Highland". Recently, a flurry of activity was observed at a New Zealand winter testing facility, sparking interest and intrigue among Tesla enthusiasts worldwide. The Cybertruck Owners Club forum lit up with spy photos, generously shared by user MarkusNZL, revealing a group of intriguing prototypes parked at the testing complex.

The Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds (SHPG), where the images were captured, is renowned as a destination Tesla frequents to put its vehicles to the winter test. MarkusNZL's images hint at Tesla utilizing this renowned facility for rigorous testing of the new Model 3, especially when Alaskan conditions don't meet the firm's stringent requirements - apparently Alaska is too warm.


 
Tesla Shanghai assembly line gears up for updated Model 3

The latest whispers from the world of Tesla, ever shrouded in its own unique blend of intrigue and innovation, indicate that the company's Shanghai factory is preparing for something big. In this case, it appears to be the much-anticipated iteration of the Model 3. Silicon Valley's favorite electric car is finally getting a well-deserved makeover.

This updated Model 3 isn't just a mere refreshment of the design or some superficial aesthetic tweaks. According to insiders, we should expect something sportier, roomier, and boasting a more refined interior than its predecessors. Tesla's aim, it seems, is to crank up the sedan's appeal and bring down production costs - a dance that requires a delicate balance.

The Shanghai plant, Tesla's most significant production hub globally, has been putting some extra hours into the Model 3 production line. Weekend testing and ongoing refinement work hint at the sheer dedication and secrecy surrounding the project. The notable buzz around this initiative suggests that Tesla is gearing up to pit the enhanced Model 3 against local Chinese competitors more effectively.

 
Tesla is now offering 7-year financing on its cars

Tesla's configurator had just been updated and the company is now offering 7-year financing on its vehicles. This is just another attempt at stabilizing sales during this year's economic turmoil. Now, there's an 84-month loan option with an estimated APR of 6.39%.

Elon Musk has repeatedly stated that the increase in interest rate will negatively impact Tesla sales as people will be reluctant to take out a loan for big purchases like cars and real estate. To mitigate the issue to some extent, Tesla is now offering longer leases, which would reduce the monthly payment.



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Survey Shows Elon Musk Is Driving Tesla Model 3 Owners Away From The Brand

Among owners who sold their car, disapproval of Musk was the top reason for doing so.

Five years ago, Bloomberg sent out a survey to thousands of Tesla Model 3owners. This year, it brought back the survey to see how owners’ opinions had changed over the years. “[T]housands of the original survey responders” responded, and when Bloomberg looked at the data, one thing stood out — Telsa owners don’t like Elon Musk nearly as much as they used to. In fact, his antics are actively driving owners away from the brand.

According to Bloomberg, the drop in Musk’s approval rating had the most significant change of opinion compared to other topics included in the survey. Most responders still weren’t at a point where they felt ready to sell their cars, “ut they also reported feeling a sense of betrayal as Musk picked political fights online, downplayed the potential consequences of climate change and backed controversial figures and ideas.”

In fact, they gave Musk a lower approval rating than Tesla’s oft-maligned customer service line.

Among the group of owners that did decide to walk away from Tesla, “Disapproval of Elon Musk” was the top reason at 21.5 percent. The next most common reason was “Concerns about quality or service” at 18.7 percent, followed by “Unhappy with Tesla’s brand perception” at 17.8 percent.

 
Elon Musk’s controversies prompt Tesla owners to seek other brands

While Elon Musk, the maverick CEO of Tesla and now the owner of X (former Twitter), continues to enjoy a fervent following, his love-it-or-hate-it persona appears to be having an impact on the very products he pioneers. An extensive survey shows that a growing faction of Tesla Model 3 owners are swapping out their electric vehicles for those of competitors, citing "disapproval of Elon Musk" as the top reason for their defection.

Ever since Musk acquired the reins of Twitter - now called X - his knack for stirring the pot has grown unabated. Frequent postings espousing his personal political and social viewpoints, as well as dabbling in contentious conspiracy theories, have given pause to many of his erstwhile fans. Musk's seeming disregard for these concerns, citing his soaring Twitter follower count as proof of popularity, has added more fuel to the fire.


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This is like asking disaffected ex-employees to testify about their former employee.

Interesting though.
 
Survey Shows Elon Musk Is Driving Tesla Model 3 Owners Away From The Brand

Among owners who sold their car, disapproval of Musk was the top reason for doing so.

Five years ago, Bloomberg sent out a survey to thousands of Tesla Model 3owners. This year, it brought back the survey to see how owners’ opinions had changed over the years. “[T]housands of the original survey responders” responded, and when Bloomberg looked at the data, one thing stood out — Telsa owners don’t like Elon Musk nearly as much as they used to. In fact, his antics are actively driving owners away from the brand.

According to Bloomberg, the drop in Musk’s approval rating had the most significant change of opinion compared to other topics included in the survey. Most responders still weren’t at a point where they felt ready to sell their cars, “ut they also reported feeling a sense of betrayal as Musk picked political fights online, downplayed the potential consequences of climate change and backed controversial figures and ideas.”

In fact, they gave Musk a lower approval rating than Tesla’s oft-maligned customer service line.

Among the group of owners that did decide to walk away from Tesla, “Disapproval of Elon Musk” was the top reason at 21.5 percent. The next most common reason was “Concerns about quality or service” at 18.7 percent, followed by “Unhappy with Tesla’s brand perception” at 17.8 percent.

That's just.... I dunno.
You don't buy a car because you like an executive of the company, do you?

Most ceos are psychopathic twats. Does that mean you'll never buy another car?

Amazing...


As for selling your model 3 because tesla don't offer the style of vehicle you want... Why the **** did you buy one in the first place?
 
Tesla's Highland Project Model 3 trial production underway

Tesla's refreshed Model 3, codenamed "Project Highland" has taken yet another step forward. A recent report from the Chinese publication JRJ suggests that Project Highland has entered trial production at Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory.

A tweet by @liuwen_52 and a retweet by a Tesla aficionado added some weight to this report. A timeline was also provided with mass production booting up in September, and delivery trucks hitting the roads by October.

The juiciest bit is the rumored price tag. A rather attractive RMB 200,000 (which comes to about €25,800).


 
Model 3 Highland to go on sale next month - Tesla turns on discounts galore

Tesla has been concocting some intriguing strategies in the Chinese market. To start, the company has a revamped Model 3 up its sleeve. Set to sashay into the Chinese market in just a short few weeks, it seems Tesla's local clientele is eagerly awaiting its grand entrance. Some have even said, "Why settle for the old when the new is just around the corner?" - which is likely a rough translation from Mandarin but perfectly encapsulates the sentiment.

The long-awaited Project Highland is finally coming to the market and Elon may wanna try to keep it secret as much as he likes. The world already knows the game is up and sales of the current Model 3 are painfully slow, with European customers being told of delivery delays - possibly suggesting the refreshed models is about to go globally.

You see, while Tesla has been throwing discounts like confetti at a New Year's party – be it for the Model Y or even for the tried-and-true Model 3 – the Chinese consumer is playing hard to get. They've been given a sneak peek of what's cooking behind Tesla's curtain – the "Highland" version of Model 3. And once you've seen the future, it's hard to settle for the present, isn't it?

Tesla is not only slashing prices for the Model Y and Model 3, but they've also gone ahead and turned the discount dial up to 11 for their imported models. The Model S and Model X are now cheaper by a significant margin, there’s between €6,900 to €8,900 you can now pocket, or, you know, spend on those other shiny things.

 
Tesla Model 3 Highland Project in production - deliveries to start in September

Tesla is gearing up to start delivering the revamped Model 3 in China at the rbd of next month. The facelifted version is yet to get an official announcement, but all signs point to that.

Over at Tesla's Giga Shanghai, there's been some sneakiness afoot. Mysterious fully covered vehicles are popping up in the factory’s logistics lot, hidden behind a tall fence. There is no doubt this is the new Model 3, which insiders nicknamed the "Project Highland."

On the production side of things, Tesla's Shanghai factory has been a hub of activity. After initially shutting down the phase 1 battery production line, it’s all hands on deck now. The phase 1 battery factory, even though it's the eldest of the three, can churn out between 3,000-4,000 battery packs weekly. The newer counterparts, phases 2 and 2.2, can each produce about 10,000. Combine their powers, and you get a whopping 100,000 battery packs monthly.


 
Tesla Model 3 Highland Project spotted testing in China

You know that feeling when you're casually cruising the web and suddenly you stumble across a celebrity sporting a daring new look? Well, guess who’s turned up with a makeover this season? It’s none other than Tesla's Model 3- again! The Highland Project rumor mill is reaching fever pitch, with the launch imminent we are getting more and more information slowly leaking out.

A group of updated Tesla Model 3—dressed up in heavy camo, reminiscent of celebrities trying to dodge paparazzi—was caught in the wild terrains of Xinjiang. And it wasn’t on a sightseeing tour. Oh no. This car was reportedly braving the heat for some high-temperature testing.

 
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