News
Tesla’s Boombox feature triggers “recall” from the NHTSA — again
It appears that Tesla’s Boombox function has caught the ire of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) again. In a new Safety Recall Report, the NHTSA set its sights on Tesla’s Boombox once more, this time focusing on the risks of the function when the company’s vehicles are using their Summon or Smart Summon feature.
According to the NHTSA, current standards establish requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for electric vehicles like Teslas. These standards prohibit manufacturers from altering or modifying the sounds emitted by their cars’ pedestrian warning systems (PWS), which are designed to make a vehicle’s presence more evident. In affected Tesla vehicles — of which the NHTSA estimate number about 594,717 Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X — Boombox may allow users to play custom sounds while Summon or Smart Summon is engaged.
While the NHTSA notes that Tesla’s Boombox and the company’s pedestrian alert sounds are mutually exclusive, the agency noted that sounds emitted from the Boombox feature could be construed to obscure or prevent the PWS from complying with FMVSS 141. This could then cause an increased risk of collision. Tesla, however, is not aware of any crashes, injuries, or fatalities that are related to the NHTSA’s Boombox complaints.
“On affected vehicles, the Boombox functionality allows a customer to play preset or custom sounds through the PWS external speaker when the vehicle is parked or in motion, including if Summon or Smart Summon is in use. While Boombox and the pedestrian alert sound are mutually exclusive sounds, sounds emitted using Boombox could be construed to obscure or prevent the PWS from complying with FMVSS 141 when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral or Reverse, including if Summon or Smart Summon is in use. This recall supersedes Recall No. 22V-063,” the NHTSA’s Safety Recall Report read.
In the Safety Recall Notice’s Description of Remedy Program, the NHTSA clarified that Tesla had already issued an over-the-air software update to disable Boombox when its vehicles are in Drive, Neutral, or Reverse. However, not all vehicles that received this update were subscribed to the company’s Full Self-Driving suite, which opens access to features like Summon and Smart Summon. The new Boombox recall could then be seen as a way for Tesla to be extra cautious, as it would ensure that its vehicles will have Boombox disabled even if their owners opt to purchase FSD in the future.
“In Recall No. 22V-063, which is superseded by this recall, Tesla issued an OTA firmware update to disable the use of Boombox when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral, or Reverse. Vehicles that received the OTA firmware update under 22V-063 and are currently configured without Summon or Smart Summon no longer contain the noncompliance condition. However, owners of these vehicles may elect to purchase or subscribe to use Summon or Smart Summon in the future. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, Tesla will also deploy to these vehicles the same firmware update that will disable Boombox functionality while using Summon or Smart Summon if those functionalities are later enabled,” the notice read.
The NHTSA’s new Boombox recall notice can be viewed below.
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Elon Musk
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said.
Tesla could add the Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robot to the production lineup at Giga Berlin, as per recent comments from CEO Elon Musk.
During a recent interview with Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig, Musk identified the Cybercab as the most likely next major product for the German factory, with Optimus potentially following after.
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said. He added that there are also “possibilities of Tesla Optimus” being produced in the facility.
Tesla has already begun production of the Cybercab in Giga Texas, with volume production expected to ramp this year. Based on Musk’s comments, it appears that if conditions align in Europe, Giga Berlin could eventually join that effort.
The CEO’s comments about Optimus coming to Gigafactory Berlin are quite unsurprising too considering that Musk has mentioned in the past that the humanoid robot will likely be Tesla’s highest volume product in the long run.
Giga Berlin will likely be able to produce mass volumes of Optimus, as the Model S and Model X lines being converted to an Optimus line in the Fremont Factory are already expected to produce 1 million units of the humanoid robot annually.
Apart from his comments about the Cybercab and Optimus, Elon Musk also confirmed that Giga Berlin has started ramping battery cell production and will continue expanding Model Y output, particularly as supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) gains regulatory approvals in Europe.
Taken together, the remarks suggest Berlin’s role could evolve beyond vehicle assembly into a broader multi-product manufacturing hub, not just a regional Model Y plant.
Energy
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
Inventory is expected to arrive in late February and official sales are expected to start mid-March 2026.
Supply Partners Group has secured a distribution agreement for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia, with inventory expected to arrive in late February and official sales beginning in mid-March 2026.
Under the new agreement, Supply Partners will distribute Tesla Powerwall units and related accessories across its national footprint, as noted in an ecogeneration report. The company said the addition strengthens its position as a distributor focused on premium, established brands.
“We are proud to officially welcome Tesla Powerwall into the Supply Partners portfolio,” Lliam Ricketts, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Supply Partners Group, stated.
“Tesla sets a high bar, and we’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to represent a brand that customers actively ask for. This partnership reflects the strength of our logistics, technical services and customer experience, and it’s a win for installers who want premium options they can trust.”
Supply Partners noted that initial Tesla Powerwall stock will be warehoused locally before full commercial rollout in March. The distributor stated that the timing aligns with renewed growth momentum for the Powerwall, supported by competitive installer pricing, consumer rebates, and continued product and software updates.
“Powerwall is already a category-defining product, and what’s ahead makes it even more compelling,” Ricketts stated. “As pricing sharpens and capability expands, we see a clear runway for installers to confidently spec Powerwall for premium residential installs, backed by Supply Partners’ national distribution footprint and service model.”
Supply Partners noted that a joint go-to-market launch is planned, including Tesla-led training for its sales and technical teams to support installers during the home battery system’s domestic rollout.
Elon Musk
Tesla Giga Berlin growth could stall if not “free from external influences”: Elon Musk
The comments were delivered in a pre-recorded video discussion.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has reportedly warned that future expansion of Gigafactory Berlin could be jeopardized if the site does not remain “free from external influences.”
Musk’s comments were delivered in a pre-recorded video discussion with employees and came at a sensitive moment for the facility, where union representation has been a recurring issue.
According to reports from Handelsblatt and Der Spiegel, citing participants at the event, Musk suggested that if Giga Berlin is no longer “free from external influences,” further expansion would become unlikely. He did not, however, hint that the plant would shut down.
While Musk did not name IG Metall directly, his remarks were widely interpreted as referencing the union, which is currently the largest faction on the works council but does not hold a majority, as noted in an electrive report.
The video conversation was conducted between Musk in Austin and Grünheide plant manager André Thierig, then played back to the workforce in Germany. Works council elections are scheduled for early March, heightening the tension between management and organized labor.
The CEO has previously voiced concerns that stronger union influence could limit Tesla’s operational flexibility and long-term strategy in Germany.
Despite the warning on expansion, Musk praised the Giga Berlin site during the same address, describing it as one of the most advanced factories worldwide and highlighting its cleanliness and team culture.
The discussion also reportedly touched on battery cell production. According to attendees cited in German media, Musk indicated that Tesla has begun ramping cell production at the site. That would mark a notable shift from earlier expectations that large-scale cell manufacturing in Brandenburg would not begin until 2027.
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
