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Tesla to benefit as California takes stand against GM, Toyota, Fiat Chrysler

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The State of California has announced they will halt the purchase of gas-powered sedans, and will also stop buying vehicles from any manufacturers who have not agreed to abide by the state’s rules regarding vehicle emissions.

In an emailed statement to CalMatters.org, California Governor Gavin Newsom said that “The state is finally making the smart move away from internal combustion engine sedans. Carmakers that have chosen to be on the wrong side of history will be on the losing end of California’s buying power.”

California purchased 2,672 vehicles for its Government fleet in 2018 according to the state’s Department of General Services.

The decision to exclusively purchase electric sedans from manufacturers who have come on board with California’s clean car rules will affect Fiat Chrysler, Toyota, and more than anyone, General Motors’ Chevrolet brand, who California bought more than $27 million worth of vehicles from in 2018. California has chosen to put their money where their mouth is by siding with carmakers who have intentions to contribute to creating a sustainable future.

This is an opportunity for electric car makers such as Tesla to work with California to secure a future that would include only vehicles produced by companies whose goal is to work toward environmental-consciousness. California is already home to many electric vehicles as a report from The Los Angeles Times published in September showed electric vehicle sales spiked 63.7% in the first half of the year, largely due to the nearly 33,000 Model 3s being sold in the state within this time frame.

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While we do not know what electric vehicles California will utilize for its fleet, we do understand that the electric car manufacturer based in Silicon Valley has been and will help the state work toward a sustainable future, starting with its vehicles. If California decides to ultimately halt the purchase of petrol-powered trucks, sport utility vehicles, and semi-trucks as well, Tesla could provide its home state with some of its upcoming releases, like the Model Y, the soon-to-be-unveiled Cybertruck, and its Semi, a tractor-trailer that has already been purchased by Pepsi Co. for its Frito Lay plant in Modesto, CA.

The environmental impact of its vehicle fleet is extremely important to the state of California, and they are currently fighting with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) for rights to control its own rules regarding greenhouse gases.

California sued the EPA on November 15 and the NHTSA in September after the two agencies revoked the state’s rights to come up with and follow its own guidelines in terms of vehicle emissions. Supervising Attorney for UCLA’s Frank G. Wells Environmental Law Clinic Julia Stein said “It certainly sends a strong message to the automakers that have come out on the other side of California in this litigation. It’s taking steps to encourage automakers to be on what it views as the right side of that dispute.”

California is making significant strides to create consequences for manufacturers who are choosing not to improve their vehicles by trying to reduce carbon emissions. The companies California have decided to cut ties with are all looking to side with the Trump Administration, which has made an attempt to eliminate the standards set by the Obama White House that were intended to cut the number of greenhouse gases emitted into the Earth’s atmosphere. Certainly, Tesla’s environmental goals match up with California’s intentions to become a more sustainable state. The electric car maker can contribute to a sustainable future if the state decides to invest in the company.

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Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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Elon Musk

Pope Leo XIV slams Elon Musk’s pay package due to misinformation (Opinion)

The Pope’s comments seem to be guided by a misunderstanding of what Elon Musk’s pay package entails.

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Edgar Beltrán, The Pillar, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Pope Leo XIV has voiced sharp criticism of corporate pay structures, singling out Tesla CEO Elon Musk and other business leaders as examples of the widening gap between executives and ordinary workers. The pontiff warned that excessive wealth concentration could erode societal values and fuel global polarization.

Pope Leo XIV’s comments seem to be guided by a misunderstanding of what Elon Musk’s pay package entails, and the net positive it would result to TSLA shareholders and the world as a whole.

Pope Leo XIV’s comments

In his first interview since becoming pope in May, Leo XIV, the first US-born head of the Catholic Church, pointed to reports that Musk could become the world’s first trillionaire. As noted in a report from the Financial Times, Pope Leo XIV singled out Elon Musk as an example of the type of wealth that was undermining “the value of human life, of the family, of the value of society.”

“Yesterday, the news (arrived) that Elon Musk is going to be the first trillionaire in the world. What does that mean, and what’s that about? If that is the only thing that has any value any more, then we are in big trouble,” the pontiff stated. 

Musk was not the only executive who caught the ire of the leader of the Catholic Church. He noted that while Musk’s pay was problematic, it was only an example of the “continuously wider gap between the income levels of the working class and the money that the wealthiest receive.” 

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“CEOs that 60 years ago might have been making four to six times what the workers are receiving, the last figure I saw, it’s 600 times what average workers are receiving,” he stated.

Borne out of misrepresentation

A look at Pope Leo XIV’s comments surrounding Elon Musk’s wealth suggests that he may not necessarily be familiar with how the CEO earns his net worth. Musk’s wealth is tied to his stakes in his companies, with a good portion of it coming from Tesla and SpaceX. Thus, quite unlike what the mainstream media narrative might suggest, Elon Musk does not necessarily have a giant vault of gold coins he is hoarding somewhere.

If one were to look at Elon Musk’s pay package, which would result in him becoming a trillionaire, one would see that the CEO could only earn his keep if he proves immense value to Tesla and its shareholders. 

His payout might be notable, but he would have to lead Tesla into becoming an $8.5 trillion company first. At this level, Tesla would likely be a notable force of good that would provide a net benefit for people worldwide. Ultimately, it appears that Pope Leo XIV’s comments about Musk may be borne from information gathered only through mainstream sources, some of which tend to have a notable slant against the CEO.

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Tesla trims Model 3 Long Range RWD price in China by RMB 10,000

The update was implemented by Tesla just weeks after the variant’s introduction.

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Credit: Tesla Asia/X

Tesla has cut the price of its recently introduced long-range rear-wheel drive (RWD) Model 3 in China.

The update was implemented by the electric vehicle maker just weeks after the variant’s introduction. 

Tesla China’s Model 3 lineup

The Model 3 RWD Long Range, which carries a CLTC range of 830 kilometers, is now priced from RMB 259,500 ($36,390), down RMB 10,000 ($1,400) from its initial RMB 269,500 ($37,800) price. Deliveries for the updated variant are currently listed at 1-3 weeks for new orders.

Tesla introduced the long-range RWD Model 3 in China on August 12, positioning it as a longer range alternative to the entry-level Model 3 RWD, which is priced at RMB 235,500 ($33,000). Despite the recent update to the price of the Model 3 RWD Long Range, the cost for the other three Model 3 trims remains unchanged. 

Delivery times for the base Model 3 RWD and Model 3 Dual Motor AWD are listed at 1–3 weeks across the range, while the Model 3 Performance is listed at 3–5 weeks.

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Sales momentum and exports

Tesla continues to offer purchase incentives this month, including five-year zero-interest financing and an RMB 8,000 insurance subsidy, as noted in a CNEV Post report.

Model 3 sales in China reached 9,851 units in July, down 0.78% year-on-year and 40.8% month-over-month compared to June. Still, cumulative sales for the Model 3 between January and July totaled 101,770 units, reflecting a 26.5% year-on-year increase in sales.

Exports of the Model 3 stood at 12,197 units in July, down 46.5% year-on-year but surging 228.8% from June. For the first seven months of 2024, Model 3 exports totaled 70,718 units, a 42% decline.

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Tesla is bringing back something it took from the Model 3…for a price

“Modify your Model 3 by replacing the turn signal buttons on your steering wheel with turn signal stalks. This modification is included in the purchase price and is installed by a Tesla Service Center.”

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla is bringing back the Model 3’s turn signal stalk in China after removing the part with the refresh of the all-electric sedan early last year.

However, it is going to cost you.

In 2024, Tesla launched the Model 3 “Highland,” a refreshed version of the vehicle that included several large-scale changes. One of the most noticeable was the lack of a turn signal stalk, something the company chose to remove and instead implement turn signal buttons on the steering wheel.

The buttons were met with mixed reviews, as some drivers complained that it was too difficult to get used to them. Others had no problem with the change, noting that it was slightly more convenient for them or that they enjoyed the minimalistic look.

Now, Tesla is offering Model 3 owners in China the opportunity to replace the stalk for a price of ¥ 2,499, or about $350:

“Modify your Model 3 by replacing the turn signal buttons on your steering wheel with turn signal stalks. This modification is included in the purchase price and is installed by a Tesla Service Center.”

Tesla notes on its website that the service is available for Model 3 vehicles without stalks manufactured after February 7, 2025. Any car without a stalk that was manufactured before that date will have the service available to them in the future.

Installation can be performed at a Service Center or by the owner. However, Tesla notes that it is not responsible for any damages resulting from self-installation and recommends that the part be put in by an employee.

The cockpit of the Tesla lineup has been under intense scrutiny by the company in recent years. After a few changes to things like the stalk, steering wheel shape, and others, Tesla has usually given drivers the chance to have things reverted back to their preferences if they want.

They did this for the Model S and Model X a few years ago after implementing the yoke steering wheel.

Tesla Steering Wheel Retrofits have started, and it’s easy to get rid of your yoke

The stalk was not supposed to be removed from the Model 3 and Model Y, but Tesla chose to do so with the refresh last year.

It seems the minimalization of the cockpit, overall, is a move that prepares drivers for autonomy, as eventually, Teslas will be void of pedals, steering wheels, and any other apparatus that are used to control the car.

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