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Tesla builds first Model Y ‘Juniper’ at Giga Berlin

Credit: Tesla

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Tesla has built the first Model Y “Juniper” at Gigafactory Berlin, employees at the plant say. The vehicle will stay within the factory and will be signed by the 12,000 Tesla workers who are employed at the plant.

Tesla launched an all-new Model Y design last Thursday that was available for China and Australia, as well as other surrounding markets. For example, Model Y orders in the Philippines are automatically being converted to the new “Juniper” body design.

However, the expansion of the new Model Y project was relatively unknown, as Tesla did not reveal when it planned to push the new version of the vehicle to markets outside of Asia and the South Pacific.

Now it appears we have more information. Managers at Tesla’s Giga Berlin plant told employees that they would be building the new Model Y in-house as early as this week, a report from German media outlet Handelsblatt reported.

It now appears the first unit was built in a trial run, and Tesla is keeping it within the walls of Giga Berlin, letting all 12,000 employees autograph it:

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The post on X said (via Google Translate):

“The first model that was shown to us yesterday is ready today to be decorated with 12,000 signatures. This will be honored.”

Tesla has not yet confirmed that it has built the vehicle, and it has also not opened up orders for the updated design in Germany or any other European market. This could take a little bit of time, as employees will have to be updated on the changes during the manufacturing process.

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The Handelsblatt report stated that Tesla updated manufacturing lines for the new Model Y during the holiday break.

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With that being said, it seems like the new Model Y will be hitting the European market before the U.S., which is something most of us expected. Model Y demand in the United States is still healthy, as it was the best-selling electric vehicle in the country in 2024.

It did feel a 6.6 percent decrease in sales compared to 2023, but Tesla made it aware that its focus would be on the next-generation platform, which impacted all models.

Need accessories for your Tesla? Check out the Teslarati Marketplace:

Please email me with questions and comments at joey@teslarati.com. I’d love to chat! You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

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

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Starlink rival Amazon’s Project Kuiper invests $20M in Indonesia

Amazon’s Project Kuiper eyes $90M in Indonesia by 2035. With Starlink already active, who will win the race for rural connectivity? 

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(Credit: Amazon)

Starlink rival Amazon’s Project Kuiper plans to invest $20 million in Indonesia. Similar to SpaceX’s Starlink internet services, Project Kuiper is Amazon’s low earth orbit (LEO) connection service.

The initial investment will go toward building six gateway stations in the country as Amazon prepares to start Kuiper operations. Amazon plans to invest up to $90 million in Project Kuiper in Indonesia by 2035. The company aims to expand infrastructure and expand internet access in various regions of the country.

Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital Application, Meutya V. Hafid, supported Amazon’s Project Kuiper.

“We want to ensure that every citizen, regardless of location, has equal access to digital technology. With the support of investment and innovation from the private sector, we can accelerate digital transformation and create greater opportunities for the community,” Meutya said.

Amazon has already applied for operational permits in Indonesia for Project Kuiper. The company is in the middle of processing telecommunications licenses and satellite leasing rights. Amazon Kuiper is also seeking to receive a Business Identification Number (NIB) to comply with Indonesia’s latest regulations on operations by foreign companies.

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“We understand that connectivity is still a challenge in many remote areas. Therefore, we want to work with the government and local partners to provide wider internet access for the people of Indonesia,” said the Global Head of Licensing and International Regulatory Affairs at Amazon Project Kuiper, Gonzalo de Dios.

Besides Indonesia, Amazon’s Project Kuiper is also competing with SpaceX’s Starlink in the United Kingdom. As of September 2024, Amazon was reportedly close to receiving a license to start Project Kuiper operations in the UK.

SpaceX’s Starlink launched in Indonesia last year. Elon Musk visited Indonesian President Joko Widodo during Starlink’s debut in the Southeast Asian country.

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SpaceX is in talks with another potential Starlink partner in India

Vodafone explores SpaceX Starlink partnership to boost rural internet in India! Rivals Bharti Airtel & Jio are already on board.

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(Credit: SpaceX)

SpaceX is in talks with another potential Starlink partner in India: Vodafone Idea Ltd. The Indian telecom company has not confirmed a partnership with SpaceX to offer Starlink internet services to its customers.

“We are in exploratory talks with various Satcom providers, including Starlink,” commented Vodafone.

Vodafone Idea’s share price was up by 4.93% on Wednesday after news spread that the telecom company was talking with SpaceX about Starlink internet services. However, Vodafone clarified that its talks with SpaceX are a routine business strategy to continue enhancing the quality of its services and expand its telecommunication offerings.

Vodafone is talking with multiple Satcom providers at the moment, not just SpaceX. The company’s Chief Technology Officer, Jagbir Singh, noted that satellite services could help Vodafone expand its fixed and mobile networks to areas that traditional infrastructure can not reach. He added that the telecom company aims to offer fixed wireless broadband in rural areas and small towns.

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Two of Vodafone’s rivals in India have already inked deals with SpaceX to offer Starlink services, namely Bharti Airtel and Jio Platforms.

Despite the agreements with Bharti Airtel and Jio Platforms, SpaceX’s Starlink has not received regulatory approval to operate in India. As of November 2024, Starlink India had only one box to check in order to receive approval. It needs to fully comply with the Indian government’s security regulations, specifically related to data storage.

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Tesla attacks deemed a ‘federal crime’ by FBI after Las Vegas fire

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Credit: Patrick Bean | X

Tesla attacks have been deemed a federal crime by the FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office after several Tesla vehicles were shot at and set on fire in Sin City.

“To those who might think that something like this is justifiable or potentially even admirable, we want you to know this is a federal crime,” commented Special Agent Spencer Evans, who is in charge of the FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office.

Surveillance footage from the Las Vegas Tesla attack revealed a person dressed in black clothing shooting at the electric cars and then setting them on fire with Molotov cocktails. One Molotov cocktail, which failed to explode, was found inside a Tesla vehicle and is currently being examined as evidence.

Fortunately, no one sustained any injuries in the Las Vegas Tesla attack. The fire department that responded to the fire was able to extinguish the fires before they could reach the Tesla batteries.

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According to Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, several 911 calls were made at around 2:45 am. The calls reported a fire at a Tesla facility.

“Officers discovered several vehicles on fire as well as the word ‘Resist’ spray-painted on the front doors of the business,” Asst. Sheriff Koren told CNN.

The Tesla Las Vegas fire is the second case under FBI investigation. The FBI Seattle Field Office is investigating Tesla attacks in their area after March 11, when six Tesla Cybertrucks were spray-painted with swastikas and profanity.

Tesla attacks across the United States have become more common and are often tied to Elon Musk’s political activities. While the attacks are meant to hurt Tesla, the company, it has actually hurt people and other car owners more. A few non-Tesla cars have also been damaged in the attacks due to their proximity.

“You’re not hurting Elon, I already purchased the truck. You’re hurting people that work for a living, and that’s extremely wrong. You want to make a political statement? Go and protest in front of dealerships; that’s fine. That’s your right. But to vandalize people’s property with hate symbols?” commented one Jewish Tesla owner, whose Cybertruck was marked with a Swastika.

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