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Rivian develops a sliding door patent, hinting toward a minivan

Credit: USPTO

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Rivian has filed a new patent that describes a dual guide rail sliding door that would be perfect for a minivan. The design is driving speculation that Rivian could be on its way to develop the market’s first electric minivan just after it produced the industry’s first production version of an all-electric pickup truck.

The patent is entitled “Automotive Vehicle Sliding Side Door with Dual Guide Rail” and shows a minivan design door that operates similarly to a traditional one. The abstract of the patent states:

“Disclosed embodiments include automotive vehicles with dual-guide-rail sliding door and dual-guide-rail sliding door systems for automotive vehicles. An illustrative automotive vehicle includes a body of the vehicle; a sliding door movably connected to the body of the vehicle; a front rail connected to a body of the vehicle; a rear rail connected to a body of the vehicle behind rearward of the front rail; a door rail connected to the sliding door; a front arm assembly connected to the sliding door and movably connected to the front rail; and a rear arm assembly movably connected to the rear rail and movably connected to the door rail. The sliding door is movably connected to the body of the vehicle, and a lateral distance travelled by the sliding door along the body of the vehicle from an open position to a closed position is greater than a length of the rear rail.”

The patent was first spotted by members of the Rivian Owners Forum.

The design is similar to that of a regular sliding van door. However, instead of the opening being limited to where the rail ends, the rail extends well past the rear of the car. The additional opening would be beneficial for a number of reasons, including the entrance of handicapped passengers.

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently hinted toward the introduction of a Robo Van that the company may bring to the market eventually. Musk stated on an internal call with Tesla employees that the van would likely assist people with disabilities. Musk also talked about the possibility of a Tesla van during the Q4 2020 Earnings Call in January, where he stated that the company “is definitely going to make an electric van at some point.”

Tesla “Robo Van” will be a people carrier with a noble purpose

Rivian and Tesla are likely both several years away from developing this van as both companies have projects in the pipeline. However, an electric minivan could be an excellent addition to the all-electric lineup of vehicles currently available on the market.

The full patent is available below.

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE SLIDING SIDE DOOR WITH DUAL GUIDE RAIL by Joey Klender on Scribd

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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

Investor's Corner

Tesla Q3 2025 earnings: What analysts expect

The automaker delivered a record 497,099 vehicles and logged its highest-ever energy storage sales in Q3 2025. 

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Credit: Tesla China

Tesla’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) Q3 2025 earnings, which would be released after markets close today, could prove to be a test of confidence for the company’s shareholders. 

The automaker delivered a record 497,099 vehicles and logged its highest-ever energy storage sales, but analysts noted that these gains might have come at a cost. 

Record vehicle deliveries

Tesla’s profit per share is expected to fall about 25% year over year to around $0.53–$0.55, even as revenue rises from 4% to 6%, as noted in a report from Market Pulse. Analysts noted that Tesla’s record quarter was partly fueled by buyers rushing to complete purchases before the U.S. federal EV tax credit expired in September, a surge that could dampen Q4 demand. The company also dipped into its inventory to reach the record delivery number.

Analysts expect automotive gross margin (excluding regulatory credits) to land between a conservative 16.5% and 17%. This suggests that a good portion of Tesla’s Q3 delivery growth came from aggressive price cuts. If margins fall below 16.5%, it could hint at more cost pressures that the company would have to handle in the coming months.

Tesla’s Energy segment, meanwhile, is expected to act as a stabilizer. The business deployed 12.5 GWh of storage in Q3, driven by strong demand from AI data centers. Analysts expect this high-margin division to partially cushion the hit from the automaker’s thinner car profits.

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AI, FSD, and Musk’s role

Tesla’s lofty valuation, trading about 17% above the average analyst consensus of $365, would likely depend heavily on investor belief in its AI and robotics initiatives. Industry watchers have stated that management must deliver credible updates on Full Self-Driving and the Robotaxi program to help justify the company’s current valuation.

Elon Musk’s proposed 2025 CEO Performance Award, which proxy advisors have urged shareholders to reject, would likely be discussed in the Q3 2025 earnings call has well. Musk has hinted that a failed vote could jeopardize Tesla’s AI strategy, making the company’s upcoming results quite crucial for market confidence.

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Investor's Corner

Tesla Board Chair defends Elon Musk’s pay plan, slams proxy advisors

The letter comes ahead of Tesla’s 2025 Annual Meeting, where shareholders will vote on several key proposals.

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CeBIT Australia, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm has issued a strongly worded letter urging investors to reject the latest recommendations from proxy advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis, saying their “one-size-fits-all” approach fails to recognize Tesla’s unique business model and track record. 

The letter comes ahead of Tesla’s 2025 Annual Meeting, where shareholders will vote on several key proposals including Elon Musk’s 2025 CEO Performance Award and director reelections.

Tesla slams proxy advisors’ models

Denholm criticized both firms for consistently opposing Tesla’s growth-oriented plans, noting that the company’s market capitalization has increased twentyfold since shareholders approved Musk’s 2018 performance package, which both advisors had opposed at the time. 

“Our shareholders have ignored their recommendations, and it’s a good thing they did,” she wrote. “Otherwise, you may have missed out on our market capitalization soaring 20x while the proxy advisors time and time again recommended “against” Tesla proposals designed to promote the sort of extraordinary growth we have enjoyed.”

The letter argued that Glass Lewis and ISS use robotic policies that don’t account for Tesla’s innovation-driven structure. Tesla’s leadership maintained that the 2025 CEO Performance Award will only reward Musk if he achieves extraordinary market capitalization and operational goals. The plan, Denholm stated, aligns Musk’s incentives with long-term shareholder interests.

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Tesla defends board leadership

Denholm also defended directors Ira Ehrenpreis and Kathleen Wilson-Thompson, calling them pivotal to Tesla’s governance and innovation strategy. She said both have driven Tesla’s growth and helped design compensation systems vital to competing in the AI and robotics talent race.

She warned that following ISS and Glass Lewis could turn Tesla into “just another car company,” and urged shareholders to “vote yes to robots, and reject robotic voting.” The letter also highlighted that neither ISS nor Glass Lewis owns Tesla stock, emphasizing that only shareholders “who have made an actual financial investment” should decide the company’s direction.

“If you prefer that Tesla turn into just another car company mired in the ways of the past, then you should follow ISS and Glass Lewis. If you believe that Tesla, under the visionary leadership of Elon and the oversight of a Board that includes business leaders with integrity like Ira, Kathleen and Joe, then you should vote with Tesla,” Denholm wrote.

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Tesla Model S and Model X make a comeback in Europe

The updates inside and under the surface of the new Model S and Model X are meaningful.

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Credit: Tesla Europe & Middle East

Tesla’s luxury flagships are making a comeback in Europe. After disappearing from Tesla’s online configurator in July, the Model S and Model X are once again available to order across the region. 

Deliveries are set to begin in November, with the Model S priced from €109,990 and the Model X starting at €114,990. The update brings improved comfort, reduced cabin noise, and efficiency improvements to the two veteran EVs.

A subtle refresh

Tesla’s design team made only light exterior changes, but the updates inside and under the surface of the new Model S and Model X are meaningful. The refreshed Model S and Model X now feature upgraded insulation, enhanced active noise cancellation, and retuned air suspension to make the ride smoother and quieter. 

New 19- or 21-inch wheels and ambient interior lighting add a subtle modern touch to the two flagships, while the Model X’s third-row seating has been improved with more space for occupants, Tesla Europe and Middle East noted in a post on X.

Both vehicles gained adaptive headlights, blind-spot warning lights, and a standard front camera. Efficiency has also improved thanks to new aerodynamic rims and low-rolling-resistance tires. The Model S now boasts a WLTP range of 744 kilometers, while the heavier Model X can travel up to 600 kilometers on a single charge.

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Tesla’s performance flagship

The Model S Plaid, Tesla’s performance flagship, benefits from deeper upgrades in this cycle. The vehicle now features a redesigned front fascia and a new front splitter. Its rear aprons have also been updated, and it has been given a carbon rear spoiler and diffuser to enhance high-speed stability. 

Underneath, the drive rotors receive carbon sleeves for better performance under extreme loads. The Plaid sprints from zero to 100 kph in just 2.1 seconds and can reach 322 kph with optional ceramic brakes, while maintaining an impressive 611-kilometer range. Considering its performance figures, the Model S Plaid has once again become the market’s best bang-for-the-buck flagship performance car. 

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