Tesla already has a full plate for 2023. Even without the Q4 2022 delivery numbers, the company aims to grow another 50% this year. Below are just a few of Tesla’s biggest goals in 2023.
Tesla Cybertruck Production
Tesla also aims to start the Cybertruck’s initial production at Giga Texas, and might deliver a few Cybertrucks by the end of the year. The company will probably concentrate on Cybertruck production this year, with first deliveries likely starting in the second half.
Cybertruck bodies were spotted at Tesla’s Texas HQ in the weeks leading up to the new year. In early December, a Cybertruck rear megacast was seen at Giga Texas. Later that same month, equipment for the Cybertruck assembly line also started arriving at the Texas HQ.
The EV manufacturer might also be working on a smaller two-door Cybertruck concept. However, it will likely focus on the Cybertruck that it unveiled a few years ago.
Tesla Model 3 Revamp
First on Tesla’s list is the Model 3 revamp, otherwise known as “Project Highland.” The revamped Model 3 is expected to introduce updates to the all-electric sedan’s interior, infotainment system, and other crucial features.
People familiar with the Project Highland noted that Tesla managed to decrease the Model 3’s components. The revamped Model 3 would also get a better display. At the Q3 2022 earnings call, Elon Musk noted that next-generation Tesla vehicles might utilize the company’s smaller platform.
“But at this point, we’ve done the engineering for Cybertrucks and for Semi. So, it’s obviously against what we’re working on, which is the next-generation vehicle, which will be probably about the cost of 3 and Y platform. It will be smaller, to be clear,” Musk said.
Tesla Gigafactories and Other Projects
Tesla is still ramping up production at Giga Texas, Giga Berlin, and its Megafactory. The company’s other factories, including the Fremont Factory, Giga Nevada, and Giga Shanghai, will likely continue to improve and grow.
Tesla is also expected to announce the location of its next gigafactory. The top contenders seem to be Mexico, Canada, Indonesia, and South Korea.
Besides the Model 3—and possibly work on the company’s smaller vehicle—and the start of Cybertruck production, Tesla is also ramping Semi production. So the company’s gigafactories will be plenty busy year-round.
Tesla China’s Big Boss Gets Bigger Role
Elon Musk may also give Tesla China boss Tom Zhu more responsibilities at the company, which would be a big transition for Tesla. Zhu is expected to take on a bigger role in Tesla as its new Global Operations manager, as per previous reports.
Tesla has not confirmed Zhu’s new role at the company, but he has already stepped down as Tesla China’s main legal representative and some people have bid farewell to him on Weibo.
Zhu and his team of engineers from China have been spending time at the Fremont Factory and Giga Texas. They have also allegedly been working closely on Cybertruck production preparations.
Tesla still has a bunch of products in development, like the Roadster and the humanoid robot Optimus. Plus, Tesla has yet to officially unveil its $25,000 vehicle, dubbed by some in the EV community as the Model 2. Then there are updates for Full Self-Driving and Autopilot and 4680 production. As 2023 continues, Tesla will likely add more events to its packed schedule.
I’d appreciate tips about any of the projects mentioned in this article. Contact me at maria@teslarati.com or via Twitter @Writer_01001101.
News
New EV tax credit rule could impact many EV buyers
We confirmed with a Tesla Sales Advisor that any current orders that have the $7,500 tax credit applied to them must be completed by December 31, meaning delivery must take place by that date. However, it is unclear at this point whether someone could still claim the credit when filing their tax returns for 2025 as long as the order reflects an order date before September 30.
Tesla owners could be impacted by a new EV tax credit rule, which seems to be a new hoop to jump through for those who benefited from the “extension,” which allowed orderers to take delivery after the loss of the $7,500 discount.
After the Trump Administration initiated the phase-out of the $7,500 EV tax credit, many were happy to see the rules had been changed slightly, as deliveries could occur after the September 30 cutoff as long as orders were placed before the end of that month.
However, there appears to be a new threshold that EV buyers will have to go through, and it will impact their ability to get the credit, at least at the Point of Sale, for now.
Delivery must be completed by the end of the year, and buyers must take possession of the car by December 31, 2025, or they will lose the tax credit. The U.S. government will be closing the tax credit portal, which allows people to claim the credit at the Point of Sale.
🚨UPDATE: $7,500 Tax Credit Portal “Closes By End of Year”.
This is bad news for pending Tesla buyers (MYP) looking to lock in the $7,500 Tax Credit.
“it looks like the portal closes by end of the year so there be no way for us to guarantee the funds however, we will try our… pic.twitter.com/LnWiaXL30k
— DennisCW | wen my L (@DennisCW_) December 15, 2025
We confirmed with a Tesla Sales Advisor that any current orders that have the $7,500 tax credit applied to them must be completed by December 31, meaning delivery must take place by that date.
However, it is unclear at this point whether someone could still claim the credit when filing their tax returns for 2025 as long as the order reflects an order date before September 30.
If not, the order can still go through, but the buyer will not be able to claim the tax credit, meaning they will pay full price for the vehicle.
This puts some buyers in a strange limbo, especially if they placed an order for the Model Y Performance. Some deliveries have already taken place, and some are scheduled before the end of the month, but many others are not expecting deliveries until January.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk takes latest barb at Bill Gates over Tesla short position
Bill Gates placed a massive short bet against Tesla of ~1% of our total shares, which might have cost him over $10B by now
Elon Musk took his latest barb at former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates over his short position against the company, which the two have had some tensions over for a number of years.
Gates admitted to Musk several years ago through a text message that he still held a short position against his sustainable car and energy company. Ironically, Gates had contacted Musk to explore philanthropic opportunities.
Elon Musk explains Bill Gates beef: He ‘placed a massive bet on Tesla dying’
Musk said he could not take the request seriously, especially as Gates was hoping to make money on the downfall of the one company taking EVs seriously.
The Tesla frontman has continued to take shots at Gates over the years from time to time, but the latest comment came as Musk’s net worth swelled to over $600 billion. He became the first person ever to reach that threshold earlier this week, when Tesla shares increased due to Robotaxi testing without any occupants.
Musk refreshed everyone’s memory with the recent post, stating that if Gates still has his short position against Tesla, he would have lost over $10 billion by now:
Bill Gates placed a massive short bet against Tesla of ~1% of our total shares, which might have cost him over $10B by now
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 17, 2025
Just a month ago, in mid-November, Musk issued his final warning to Gates over the short position, speculating whether the former Microsoft frontman had still held the bet against Tesla.
“If Gates hasn’t fully closed out the crazy short position he has held against Tesla for ~8 years, he had better do so soon,” Musk said. This came in response to The Gates Foundation dumping 65 percent of its Microsoft position.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk sends final warning to Bill Gates over short position
Musk’s involvement in the U.S. government also drew criticism from Gates, as he said that the reductions proposed by DOGE against U.S.A.I.D. were “stunning” and could cause “millions of additional deaths of kids.”
“Gates is a huge liar,” Musk responded.
It is not known whether Gates still holds his Tesla short position.
Tesla made a change to the Cybertruck, and nobody noticed. But to be fair, nobody could have, but it was revealed by the program’s lead engineer that it was aimed toward simplifying manufacturing through a minor change in casting.
After the Cybertruck was given a Top Safety Pick+ award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), for its reputation as the safest pickup on the market, some wondered what had changed about the vehicle.
Tesla makes changes to its vehicles routinely through Over-the-Air software updates, but aesthetic changes are relatively rare. Vehicles go through refreshes every few years, as the Model 3 and Model Y did earlier this year. However, the Cybertruck is one of the vehicles that has not changed much since its launch in late 2023, but it has gone through some minor changes.
Most recently, Wes Morrill, the Cybertruck program’s Lead Engineer, stated that the company had made a minor change to the casting of the all-electric pickup for manufacturing purposes. This change took place in April:
We made a minor change on the casting for manufacturability in April. Our Internal testing shows no difference in crash result but IIHS only officially tested the latest version
— Wes (@wmorrill3) December 17, 2025
The change is among the most subtle that can be made, but it makes a massive difference in manufacturing efficiency, build quality, and scalability.
Morrill revealed Tesla’s internal testing showed no difference in crash testing results performed by the IIHS.
The 2025 Cybertruck received stellar ratings in each of the required testing scenarios and categories. The Top Safety Pick+ award is only given if it excels in rigorous crash tests. This requires ‘Good’ ratings in updated small and moderate overlap front, side, roof, and head restraints.
Additionally, it must have advanced front crash prevention in both day and night. Most importantly, the vehicle must have a ‘Good’ or ‘Acceptable’ headlights standard on all trims, with the “+ ” specifically demanding the toughest new updated moderate overlap test that checks rear-seat passenger protection alongside driver safety.
New EV tax credit rule could impact many EV buyers
Elon Musk takes latest barb at Bill Gates over Tesla short position
