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SpaceX’s next Starship prototype is already closing in on its first tests
Continuing a trend of massive steel rockets built in a matter of days and weeks instead of months, SpaceX’s next Starship prototype is already closing in on its first tests.
SpaceX’s newest vehicle is set to pick up where the third full-scale Starship prototype – coincidentally known as SN3 – left off after operator error lead to its premature destruction on April 3rd. Now a pile of scrap metal, that ship only made it partway through cryogenic proof testing when its upper tank – almost fully filled with chemically-neutral liquid nitrogen – toppled over and pulled the rest of the prototype with it. With (hopefully) improved test procedures, Starship SN4 is now set to carry that torch forward.
Following the late Starship SN1 and SN3 prototypes, SN4 is on track to be the third full-scale, functional Starship prototype built in a handful of weeks thanks to major factory upgrades SpaceX has completed in recent months. While the loss of any particular prototype is undoubtedly a setback each time it happens, such a high rate and (apparently) low cost of production means that no single failure should be a major disruption, allowing SpaceX to iterate incredibly quickly as it learns from a flurry of real-world tests.
Like SN3, SpaceX’s next prototype will soon be fully stacked and transported down the road from the factory to a nearby launch and test facility, both situated directly on the South Texas Gulf Coast. Based on SN1 and SN3, SN4 could be just a week or so away from that transport milestone. SN3, for example, reached Starship SN4’s current state of assembly around March 20th. Eight days later, the vehicle was moved to the launch pad for its first tests.
On April 12th, SpaceX technicians flipped Starship SN4’s aft-most section, doubling as a bottom dome of its liquid oxygen tank and a mounting point for three Raptor engines. Starship SN3 passed the same point around March 18th, just ten days before it was moved to the launch pad. Per SN3’s assembly schedule, it should be just 2-3 days before SpaceX wraps up Starship SN4’s engine section by adding another two rings, followed by the engine section’s integration with the rest of the rocket approximately 5-7 days from now.
Based on Starship SN3’s behavior before a badly-designed test triggered the series of events that destroyed it, the ship appeared to be performing extremely well with its upper (methane) tank almost completely full of super-cool liquid nitrogen. If Starship SN4 does a similarly good job and makes it through the rest of the test that SN3 was unable to, SpaceX has three Raptors already tested and ready to go for their first triple-engine static fire ever.
At this point, those engines are simply waiting in a nearby hangar for a Starship prototype to be declared flight (or at least static fire) worthy. Even more excitingly, should both the engines and the Starship in question perform flawlessly during those tests, the first flights are expected to follow very soon after. Whether it’s able to summit that particular hurdle, Starship SN4’s current rate of production suggests that the ship will be ready to kick off testing later this month, perhaps less than three weeks after its predecessor kicked the bucket. Stay tuned!
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Tesla China delivery centers look packed as 2025 comes to a close
Needless to say, it appears that Tesla China seems intent on ending 2025 on a strong note.
Tesla’s delivery centers in China seem to be absolutely packed as the final days of 2025 wind down, with photos on social media showing delivery locations being filled wall-to-wall with vehicles waiting for their new owners.
Needless to say, it appears that Tesla China seems intent on ending 2025 on a strong note.
Full delivery center hints at year-end demand surge
A recent image from a Chinese delivery center posted by industry watcher @Tslachan on X revealed rows upon rows of freshly prepared Model Y and Model 3 units, some of which were adorned with red bows and teddy bears. Some customers also seem to be looking over their vehicles with Tesla delivery staff.
The images hint at a strong year-end push to clear inventory and deliver as many vehicles as possible. Interestingly enough, several Model Y L vehicles could be seen in the photos, hinting at the demand for the extended wheelbase-six seat variant of the best-selling all-electric crossover.
Strong demand in China
Consumer demand for the Model Y and Model 3 in China seems to be quite notable. This could be inferred from the estimated delivery dates for the Model 3 and Model Y, which have been extended to February 2026 for several variants. Apart from this, the Model Y and Model 3 also continue to rank well in China’s premium EV segment.
From January to November alone, the Model Y took China’s number one spot in the RMB 200,000-RMB 300,000 segment for electric vehicles, selling 359,463 units. The Model 3 sedan took third place, selling 172,392. This is quite impressive considering that both the Model Y and Model 3 are still priced at a premium compared to some of their rivals, such as the Xiaomi SU7 and YU7.
With delivery centers in December being quite busy, it does seem like Tesla China will end the year on a strong note once more.
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Tesla Giga Berlin draws “red line” over IG Metall union’s 35-hour week demands
Factory manager André Thierig has drawn a “red line” against reducing Giga Berlin’s workweek to 35 hours, while highlighting that Tesla has actually increased its workers’ salaries more substantially than other carmakers in the country.
Tesla Giga Berlin has found itself in a new labor dispute in Germany, where union IG Metall is pushing for adoption of a collective agreement to boost wages and implement changes, such as a 35-hour workweek.
In a comment, Giga Berlin manager André Thierig drew a “red line” against reducing Giga Berlin’s workweek to 35 hours, while highlighting that Tesla has actually increased its workers’ salaries more substantially than other carmakers in the country.
Tesla factory manager’s “red line”
Tesla Germany is expected to hold a works council election in 2026, which André Thierig considers very important. As per the Giga Berlin plant manager, Giga Berlin’s plant expansion plans might be put on hold if the election favors the union. He also spoke against some of the changes that IG Metall is seeking to implement in the factory, like a 35-hour week, as noted in an rbb24 report.
“The discussion about a 35-hour week is a red line for me. We will not cross it,” Theirig said.
“(The election) will determine whether we can continue our successful path in the future in an independent, flexible, and unbureaucratic manner. Personally, I cannot imagine that the decision-makers in the USA will continue to push ahead with the factory expansion if the election results favor IG Metall.”
Giga Berlin’s wage increase
IG Metall district manager Jan Otto told the German news agency DPA that without a collective agreement, Tesla’s wages remain significantly below levels at other German car factories. He noted the company excuses this by referencing its lowest pay grade, but added: “The two lowest pay grades are not even used in car factories.”
In response, Tesla noted that it has raised the wages of Gigafactory Berlin’s workers more than their German competitors. Thierig noted that with a collective agreement, Giga Berlin’s workers would have seen a 2% wage increase this year. But thanks to Tesla not being unionized, Gigafactory Berlin workers were able to receive a 4% increase, as noted in a CarUp report.
“There was a wage increase of 2% this year in the current collective agreement. Because we are in a different economic situation than the industry as a whole, we were able to double the wages – by 4%. Since production started, this corresponds to a wage increase of more than 25% in less than four years,” Thierig stated.
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Tesla is seeing a lot of momentum from young Koreans in their 20s-30s: report
From January to November, young buyers purchased over 21,000 Teslas, putting it far ahead of fellow imported rivals like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Tesla has captured the hearts of South Korea’s 20s-30s demographic, emerging as the group’s top-selling imported car brand in 2025. From January to November, young buyers purchased over 21,000 Teslas, putting it far ahead of fellow imported rivals like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Industry experts cited by The Economist attributed this “Tesla frenzy” to fandom culture, where buyers prioritize the brand over traditional car attributes, similar to snapping up the latest iPhone.
Model Y dominates among young buyers
Data from the Korea Imported Automobile Association showed that Tesla sold 21,757 vehicles to the 20s-30s demographic through November, compared to BMW’s 13,666 and Mercedes-Benz’s 6,983. The Model Y led the list overwhelmingly, with variants like the standard and Long Range models topping purchases for both young men and women.
Young men bought around 16,000 Teslas, mostly Model Y (over 15,000 units), followed by Model 3. Young women followed a similar pattern, favoring Model Y (3,888 units) and Model 3 (1,083 units). The Cybertruck saw minimal sales in this group.
The Model Y’s appeal lies in its family-friendly SUV design, 400-500 km range, quick acceleration, and spacious cargo, which is ideal for commuting and leisure. The Model 3, on the other hand, serves as an accessible entry point with lower pricing, which is valuable considering the country’s EV subsidies.
The Tesla boom
Experts described Tesla’s popularity as “fandom culture,” where young buyers embrace the brand despite criticisms from skeptics. Professor Lee Ho-geun called Tesla a “typical early adopter brand,” comparing purchases to iPhones.
Professor Kim Pil-soo noted that young people view Tesla more as a gadget than a car, and they are likely drawn by marketing, subsidies, and perceived value. They also tend to overlook news of numerous recalls, which are mostly over-the-air software updates, and controversies tied to the company.
Tesla’s position as Korea’s top import for 2025 seems secured. As noted by the publication, Tesla’s December sales figures have not been reported yet, but market analysts have suggested that Tesla has all but secured the top spot among the country’s imported cars this year.
Tesla China delivery centers look packed as 2025 comes to a close
Tesla Giga Berlin draws “red line” over IG Metall union’s 35-hour week demands
