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Tesla extends gratitude to employees with ‘Cars 3’ family movie night at Gigafactory 1

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As an expression of gratitude to its employees for their hard work in Q3 2018, Tesla has issued an invitation for a family night featuring a screening of the Pixar movie Cars 3 at Gigafactory 1 in Sparks, Nevada. The event, which is extended to employees and their family members, will be set up like an outdoor film outing, with the movie being projected on the side of Gigafactory 1. Food trucks and fun, kid-friendly activities will also be available.

Tesla’s invitation for the family movie night reveals that the event will be held this coming Saturday and Sunday. The event is completely free of charge, though attendees are advised to bring their own blankets and chairs for maximum comfort while watching the movie. Following is the text of Tesla’s email to its employees.

“In recognition of your hard work of the last year, we would like to celebrate with you.

“Join us for movie night– Pixar’s Cars 3 will be projected on the side of the Gigafactory, along with food trucks for dinner, bouncy houses for the kids, and concessions.

“This is all free of charge for you and your family as our way of saying thanks.

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“Please pick one of two nights (Starting 7:00 pm: Saturday, October 6th or Sunday, October 7th) and RSVP by the link below. Bring blankets or chairs to get comfortable for the movie. Looking forward to seeing you there!”

Tesla’s employees have been on full throttle over the course of the third quarter. That said, their hard work has produced results, as Tesla achieved yet another record quarter in Q3 2018, producing a total of 80,142 electric vehicles including 53,239 Model 3. The company also delivered a total of 83,500 vehicles, comprised of 55,840 Model 3, 14,470 Model S, and 13,190 Model X. Tesla even noted in its Q3 2018 vehicle deliveries and production report that in the third quarter, it delivered 80% of 2017’s entire delivery figures.

https://twitter.com/_wongc/status/1046609449291370496

It was not easy getting to this point. Q3 saw Elon Musk sleeping inside the Fremont factory once more to address issues as they arise, and during the final weeks of the quarter’s delivery blitz, even the company’s executives were reportedly doing their part handing over vehicles to reservation holders. A day before Q3 ended, Elon Musk even rallied Tesla’s workers, stating that profitability was within reach while encouraging everyone to work extra hard on the quarter’s final day. Considering Tesla’s Q3 delivery and production numbers, it appears that the company’s workers dug deep and pulled through.

Being led by a man who made his fortune in Silicon Valley, Tesla’s work culture is quite similar to tech companies. Workload-wise, Tesla is known for its intense work culture and hyper-aggressive targets. This does not mean that Tesla is all work and no play, though. In true Silicon Valley style, Tesla is also known to adopt a “Work Hard, Play Hard” culture. Elon Musk’s employee parties are no joke, with one event at SpaceX involving the conversion of the private space agency’s factory floor to a full-blown carnival.

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Back in 2016, Tesla also rented out a stadium for a massive employee party. Last year, Tesla hosted a family day for Gigafactory workers that included a waterpark outing and games that were paid for by the company. After achieving its then-elusive 5,000/week Model 3 production goal in Q2 2018, Tesla also gave a treat to workers at the Fremont factory, featuring a free concert from 12-time Grammy Award-winning musician Jack White.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla Model S Plaid battles China’s 1500 hp monster Nurburgring monster, with surprising results

There is just something about Tesla’s tuning and refinement that makes raw specs seem not as game-changing.

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Credit: Carwow/YouTube

The Tesla Model S Plaid has been around for some time. Today, it is no longer the world’s quickest four-door electric sedan, nor is it the most powerful. As per a recent video from motoring YouTube channel Carwow, however, it seems like the Model S Plaid is still more than a match for some of its newer and more powerful rivals. 

The monster from China

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is nothing short of a monster. Just like the Model S Plaid, it features three motors. It also has 1,548 hp and 1,770 Nm of torque. It’s All Wheel Drive and weighs a hefty 2,360 kg. The vehicle, which costs just about the equivalent of £55,000, has been recorded setting an insane 7:04.957 at the Nurburgring, surpassing the previous record held by the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.

For all intents and purposes, the Model S Plaid looked outgunned in Carwow’s test. The Model S Plaid is no slouch with its three motors that produce 1,020 hp and 1,420 Nm of torque. It’s also a bit lighter at 2,190 kg despite its larger size. However, as the Carwow host pointed out, the Model S Plaid holds a 7:25.231 record in the Nurburgring. Compared to the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra’s record, the Model S Plaid’s lap time is notably slower. 

Real-world tests

As could be seen in Carwow’s drag races, however, Tesla’s tech wizardry with the Model S Plaid is still hard to beat. The two vehicles competed in nine races, and the older Model S Plaid actually beat its newer, more powerful counterpart from China several times. At one point in the race, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra hit its power limit due to its battery’s temperature, but the Model S Plaid was still going strong.

The Model S Plaid was first teased five years ago, in September 2020 during Tesla’s Battery Day. Since then, cars like the Lucid Air Sapphire and the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra have been released, surpassing its specs. But just like the Model Y ended up being the better all-rounder compared to the BYD Sealion 7 and the MG IM6, there is just something about Tesla’s tuning and refinement that makes raw specs seem not as game-changing. 

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Check out Carwow’s Model S Plaid vs Xiaomi SU7 drag race video below.

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500-mile test proves why Tesla Model Y still humiliates rivals in Europe

On paper, the BYD Sealion 7 and MG IM6 promised standout capabilities against the Model Y.

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Credit: Tesla China

BYD is seeing a lot of momentum in Europe, so much so that mainstream media has taken every opportunity to argue that the Chinese automaker has beaten Tesla in the region. But while BYD sales this year in Europe are rising and Tesla’s registrations remain challenged, the raw capabilities of vehicles like the Model Y are difficult to deny. 

This was highlighted in a 500-mile challenge by What Car? magazine, which showed that the new Tesla Model Y is more efficient, cheaper to run, and more reliable than rivals like the BYD Sealion 7, and even the nearly 400 KW-charging MG IM6.

Range and charging promises

On paper, the BYD Sealion 7 and MG IM6 promised standout capabilities against the Model Y. The Sealion 7 had more estimated range and the IM6 promised significantly faster charging. When faced with real-world conditions, however, it was still the Model Y that proved superior.

During the 500-mile test, the BYD nearly failed to reach a charging stop, arriving with less range than its display projected, as noted in a CarUp report. MG fared better, but its charging speeds never reached its promised nearly-400 kW charging speed. Tesla’s Model Y, by comparison, managed energy calculations precisely and arrived at each stop without issue.

Tesla leads in areas that matter

Charging times from 25% to 80% showed that the MG was the fastest at 17 minutes, while Tesla and BYD were close at 28 and 29 minutes, respectively. Overall efficiency and cost told a different story, however. The Model Y consumed 19.4 kWh per 100 km, compared to 22.2 for MG and 23.9 for BYD. Over the full trip, Tesla’s charging costs totaled just £82 thanks to its supercharger network, far below BYD’s £130 and MG’s £119. 

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What Car? Magazine’s testers concluded that despite BYD’s rapid sales growth and the MG IM6’s seriously impressive charging speeds, Tesla remains the more compelling real-world choice. The Model Y just offers stability, efficiency, and a proven charging infrastructure through its Supercharging network. And as per the magazine’s hosts, the Model Y is even the cheapest car to own among the three that were tested.

Watch What Car? Magazine’s 500-mile test in the video below.

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Tesla Cybertruck slapped with world’s least intimidating ticket, and it’s pure cringe

One cannot help but cringe and feel second-hand embarrassment at the idea of a person just driving around with a stack of these babies.

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Credit: Ryan Torres/X

A Cybertruck parked at Stanford Shopping Center in California was recently hit with what might be the most try-hard piece of paper ever slipped under a wiper blade: a “fake citation” accusing the driver of supporting a “fascist car.” 

The note, shared on X by Tesla staff program manager Ryan Torres, quickly made the rounds on X, where it quickly gained attention as an example of how not to protest.

The world’s least intimidating ticket

According to the citation, the supposed “violation” was “driving a fascist car.” The remedial action? Take the bus, call an Uber, or ride a bike. The note also dubbed Elon Musk a “chainsaw-wielding Nazi billionaire.” Now, protests against Tesla and Elon Musk have become commonplace this year, but one cannot help but cringe and feel second-hand embarrassment at the idea of a person just driving around with a stack of fake anti-Tesla/Musk citations.

Torres pointed out the irony himself in his post on X. Tesla currently employs over 140,000 Americans, and SpaceX has put the U.S. firmly back at the top of space technology. As Torres put it, maybe the person behind the world’s least intimidating ticket should “read a book on innovation before vandalizing” other people’s property.

Peak performative clownery

Not to mention that the fake ticket’s logic collapses under its own weight. EVs like the Cybertruck are literally designed to reduce emissions, not “destroy the economy.” If anything, Tesla has bolstered the United States’ economy by fueling jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and clean energy. It’s not the first time a Tesla has been the target of vandalism or politically charged notes, but this one stands out for sheer cringe value. 

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Torres summed it up neatly: “Peak clownery.” On that point, at least, the citation earns full marks. In a way, though, perhaps cringe fake tickets are not as bad as the literal firebombs that were being thrown at Tesla stores and cars earlier this year because some critics were gleefully misinformed about Elon Musk.

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