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Bringing a Tesla to a Car Show

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Northeast Philadelphia is perhaps the most perfect example of a classic, blue-collar town in America. With a population of 300,000 in this section of the city alone, it certainly has enough size to qualify as its own town. Filled with trademark row homes, it is densely populated and tight-knit, with many families choosing to settle mere blocks from where one or both adults grew up.

If Americans of all ages and backgrounds can agree on one thing, it’s that we love our cars! Specifically, we love American Muscle. There were no fewer than two dozen mustangs at this year’s Car Show, sponsored by a local oldies radio station (WOGL) and the credit union whose property it was held on. In fact, the gentleman who was parked beside me had one of the most beautiful mustangs I’ve ever seen. So it’s almost sad that he spent the entire day watching lines of people waiting to talk to me about my Tesla.

“Make no mistake about it, the shift has happened.”

Red-Model-S-Frunk-Award

In May of 2015, I decided to participate in this Car Show. It was the first time I had ever done so, but with our Model S all shined up and ready to be shown, I went home with a beautiful trophy. I spent all day fielding questions and several times being told that “I need gas” or “I’d miss the sound” or “it’s just not the same.” This from traditional gear heads, so I was always gracious. Overall people were positive and pleasant – plus very curious – but most hadn’t ever heard of Tesla.

368 days later? I estimate that more than 75% of the people I spoke with had heard of the car. A solid 50% knew exactly what it was and knew at least one thing about it. Unlike the few that thought they knew something about it last year, almost every fact I overheard someone claiming was true. “This car technically scored over 5 stars in safety,” “They’re making one that starts at $35,000 soon,” and “It’s both designed and built right here in America!” were some of things I was happy to hear.

As of today, it is still true that Tesla has not spent any money on placement or advertising in traditional mediums. There are no billboards, no glossy magazine spreads and certainly no commercials during the Super Bowl. Tesla has relied on word of mouth, social media and a really nice boost from the local news (overheard today: “I saw it on Channel 6, people were lining up!”) to get more and more Americans familiar with this idea of an electric car.

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For this reason, I urge every owner, if you have the chance, to bring your Tesla to a local car show.

This year, I opened not to technically register my car for judgement. I was there just for the simple joy of getting to talk about it all day, as well as doing my duty to spread the word about the car.

Here are some of my favorite memories:

  • Jay from near Hamilton New Jersey was well versed on the Superchargers in town. He knows someone with a Tesla and had a “curious story” to tell me. That acquaintance got a letter from Tesla that he was using that charger too much. Jay was there with a wood-sided station wagon from the 1970s, but also owns a 1980s Ford Escort that had been modified and converted into a replica Batmobile from the 1960s TV show version. He was a charmer, and guessed me a PR professional with a future in broadcasting.
  • Two very short and very mature ladies (better than 70 I’d guess) were at the show together. They had not heard of the car but had a ton of questions. They were all very good, intelligent questions. Very quickly, one mentally calculated that the maintenance costs (or lack thereof) make this car totally worth it. I happen to agree.
  • An electrician could not wait to ask me some specific questions about the amps/volts required to power this car. He made a very interesting observation. He likened this shift in technology to the advent and popular adoption of central air conditioning at home. He wanted to stay up-to-date knowing that all new homes built should probably be done with the ability to easily add a car charger in the garage, just like the accommodation of central air.
  • Several folks who have already looked into or knew someone who was looking into buying this car. Remember, Northeast Philadelphia is a very traditional area, with modest wages and home values.
  • Hundreds of men, women and children excitedly asking questions to understand what it’s like to live, drive and road trip with a Tesla. Some of whom stuck around for 10 minutes solid and really wanted to know everything.

I am so thrilled, if a little exhausted, at how differently the conversations today were framed compared to this time last year. Sure I had to tell people the same things we’re all used to repeating – around 250 miles; well it depends on the source of electricity but 1-2 hours per night; they invented these super fast chargers along major routes that are free – but this time they had heard of the car and wanted to know more.

Ford, Chevy and GM, be afraid. Be very afraid. Your key demographic has now heard of this not-so-little start up in California.

Red-Vintage-Ford-Mustang
Here’s a Mustang, just for good measure.
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Tesla brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update

Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.

The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.

Tesla Model Y’s ambient lighting design changes revealed in leaked video

With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:

To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”

Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.

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xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

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(Credit: xAI)

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area. 

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs

Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.

In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.

“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.

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Musk Foundation donation

Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students. 

The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”

“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.

The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”

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EV fans urge Tesla to acquire Unplugged Performance for edge in fleet and security industry

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles.

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Credit: Unplugged Performance

A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.

The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla’s roots in the fleet and security industry. 

A strategic fit

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.

That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.

“I posted this four years ago, but I think it’s more true now than ever,” wrote Whole Mars Catalog, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. “Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.”

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Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a “great fit within Tesla.” adding, “They are literally located directly next to Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne.”

Enabling the next wave

Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla’s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.

“Just imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,” the veteran FSD tester wrote.

The benefits could also extend to Tesla’s existing consumer base. “They also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers — not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that’s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,” Whole Mars Catalog noted.

Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla’s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a “mission-aligned” partner to Tesla.

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In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. “Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,” Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer posted on X. “We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community’s support since 2013!”

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