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I know, I know. Just asking the question, “Is there anything Tesla can’t do?” alone sounds like stooge-level propaganda with a predictable answer at the end: No. However, I promise you that I’m actually considering it objectively in light of what has been parading in the headlines.
The Porsche Taycan vs. Tesla debates were a bit exhausting over the last couple of weeks, but the ‘Plaid Mode’ reveal took them to another level. Then, a German media outlet reported that a Model S already beat the Taycan’s Nürburgring time by almost 20 seconds after all that hoopla about “turns” and overheating being inevitable doom bringers for Tesla.
And all this excitement started co-existing with more news about the spiffy stuff included in the V10 firmware update that Tesla’s Early Access Program participants were downloading. Leaked pictures of the made-in-China Model 3 were really just the icing on the cake yesterday for anyone keeping score.
So, I think it’s fair to start wondering what Tesla has left to achieve that may be a serious challenge.
Obviously, there’s plenty on the plate for the next few years at least: Model Y, the Tesla Truck, the Tesla Semi, the next generation Roadster, and now refreshed ‘Plaid Mode’ Model S’s and X’s. Oh, and the regulatory hurdles to make Full Self-Driving a legal reality still need to come through. I suppose having a few more Gigafactories would be a good idea also, like the one teased for Europe.
Okay. Perhaps this question is more tedious than I thought. On one hand, Tesla doesn’t need to do everything a car maker could possibly do. Plenty of manufacturers are content with sticking with their niche markets. But I don’t see Tesla settling for that, especially considering all the markets they’re targeting already and the sales numbers they’re aiming to achieve.
How about outdoor-oriented vehicles, considering the next competitor for Elon Musk to comment on will likely be Rivian? The Michigan-based EV newcomer has completely branded itself to appeal to the travel adventure crowd, and their R1T pickup truck has every whiz-bang thing (to borrow a phrase) they could dream of needing for a mountain camping trek. Rivian even has a patent application for a “digital” jerrycan to extend their battery range for such trips.
While the Tesla Truck is coming, a ‘Blade Runner’ cyberpunk theme doesn’t seem to have the Rivian-type customers in mind. That’s fine, but would Tesla want to appeal to that base if it proves lucrative? Why bother building a truck in the first place if you don’t want to attract, you know, truck people? Rivian’s R1S SUV might really be where the customers are, though. The Model Y will appeal to a significant base, but the R1S will tap into another large crowd as well. The Model X may be the Fabergé egg of cars, but sports and camping-oriented families may find an SUV that’s traditionally designed and half the price a bit more…feasible.
It seems like there may be a decent amount of crossover between Tesla and Rivian’s bases – both sets of customers have similar values and possibly similar budgets. Will Tesla make a play with its own rough-and-tumble vehicles? Or will they just peacefully co-exist? I mean, Tesla and Porsche are supposedly not really meant to be competitors, yet there’s still a Model S at Nürburgring despite that um, fact.
What about military vehicles? Other automakers like GM and Ford have developed equipment for defense purposes over the decades, and Musk is already well versed in having government entities as customers via SpaceX. The US military is looking for alternative fuel vehicles, although hydrogen fuel cell tech seems the be the focus. I’m sure Tesla’s tech could easily win any competition, especially given their semi truck work and advanced battery products. But, would Tesla even want that sort of customer? SpaceX and Tesla have different core missions, although they are compatible. I could also lay out some ironies in Tesla developing military vehicles, but I’m sure you can imagine what they are.
Finally, what about smaller vehicles like water crafts, ATVs, motorcycles, etc.? Non-vehicle products? Those are areas several other car makers have entered as separate ventures, and successfully at that. Musk may have once joked about Tesla making an electric leaf blower, but Honda could perhaps vouch for the profitability of home DIY equipment. Rivian has even hinted that it’s developing something that’s ‘not necessarily’ a car. After going from the original Roadster to manufacturing and delivering several types of cars all over the world (not to mention solar kits), Tesla could probably easily outfit its customers’ homes with a variety of other battery-powered products. Tesla vs. John Deere, anyone? I’m not sure what kind of culture war that might ignite, but Musk isn’t really the type to back down from such a challenge.
It doesn’t seem like Tesla needs much more on its plate in the immediate future, but after seeing what they’ve accomplished thus far in so little time, the next expansion may end up being around the corner before we know it.
Lifestyle
Tesla brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update
Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.
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:
Turn your Tesla into a rave cave with the new Light Sync feature 🎶
Rolling out now in software update 2025.26+ pic.twitter.com/IIsQxZ9jDP
— Tesla (@Tesla) July 29, 2025
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.
Elon Musk
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.
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.
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.”
Lifestyle
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.
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.”
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.
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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