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Tesla China extends 5-year zero-interest loan program

Credit: Tesla Asia/X

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Tesla China’s five-year zero-interest loan program has been extended once more. The incentive applies to both Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) and Long Range Dual Motor All Wheel Drive (AWD) variants of the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover. 

As per the electric vehicle maker, China-based customers who wish to purchase select variants of the Model 3 or Model Y before November 30, 2024, would be able to take advantage of the limited-time five-year, zero-interest financing program. The incentive is highlighted in Tesla China’s order pages for the Model 3 and Model Y. 

Tesla China produces the Model 3 and Model Y from Gigafactory Shanghai. Both vehicles are offered in three variants: the base RWD version, the mid-tier AWD variant, and the top-tier Performance trim. It should be noted that the five-year, zero-interest financing offer is only available for the RWD and AWD trims, not the Model 3 and Model Y’s Performance variants. 

The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are still premium vehicles in China. As per the Model 3’s order page, the base RWD variant costs RMB 231,900 ($32,550); the Long Range AWD version costs RMB 271,900 ($38,160), and the Model 3 Performance costs RMB 335,900 ($47,150) before options.

As for the Model Y, the vehicle’s base RWD version costs RMB 249,900 ($35,000); the Long Range AWD costs RMB 290,900 ($40,830), and the Performance trim starts at RMB 354,900 ($49,800) before options, as per the vehicle’s order page.

Estimated delivery dates for all variants of the Model 3 sedan are currently listed at 4-6 weeks as per Tesla China’s order page. All Model Y variants, on the other hand, are listed with an estimated delivery date of 1-3 weeks. 

Tesla China’s five-year, zero-interest loan offer was initially launched in April. At the time, Tesla noted that the program would only be available for a limited time. Since then, however, the electric vehicle maker has implemented extensions at the end of every month. It would then be unsurprising if Tesla China extends the program until the end of the year. 

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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 is ramping its hiring for Cybercab vehicle manufacturing roles

A check of the company’s Careers website shows 30 open positions tied to the Cybercab project, with 25 focused directly on vehicle manufacturing.

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Credit: Tesla/YouTube

Tesla is accelerating preparations for its upcoming Cybercab by rapidly expanding its hiring efforts in Austin, Texas. 

A check of the company’s Careers website shows 30 open positions tied to the Cybercab project, with 25 focused directly on vehicle manufacturing. The spike in listings suggests that Tesla may be gearing up for a production ramp of its fully autonomous two-seater at Giga Texas.

New Cybercab job listings

Tesla’s Careers page now features several new roles that appear crucial to the Cybercab’s buildout. Among the most recent additions are openings for Engineering Technicians for the Cybercab’s drive units, battery pack, and general assembly, as well as positions for Equipment Technicians for the vehicle’s production lines.

Earlier this month, Tesla only had three openings related to the autonomous two-seater’s manufacturing. Even then, it was already exciting as the Cybercab would be produced using Tesla’s “Unboxed” manufacturing process. This process is designed to make the Cybercab easier and quicker to produce. 

Similar to previous Cybercab-related job listings, all of the openings are currently based in Austin, Texas. This suggests that for now, at least, the production of the Cybercab will really be focused on Giga Texas to start.

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Ultra-fast Cybercab production targets

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has described the Cybercab as the company’s highest-volume vehicle yet, targeting an annual production rate of around 2 million units. He added that the Cybercab line will operate more like a “high-speed consumer electronics” assembly process than a conventional car factory.

“If you’ve seen the design of the Cybercab line, it doesn’t look like a normal car manufacturing line,” Musk said earlier this year. “It looks like a really high-speed consumer electronics line. In fact, the line will move so fast that actually people can’t even get close to it.”

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Memphis to use xAI taxes for neighborhood improvements: “Truly a blessing”

City officials confirmed that the funds will be reinvested in local neighborhoods near xAI’s Colossus supercomputer.

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Credit: xAI/X

The City of Memphis has collected all taxes owed by Elon Musk’s xAI before the payment deadline, creating a $3.2 million special revenue fund to support communities affected by the company’s operations. 

City officials confirmed that the funds will be reinvested in local neighborhoods near xAI’s Colossus supercomputer.

Directing xAI funds toward community projects

Mayor Paul Young’s administration recently outlined how the funds will be allocated. The initiative was focused on improving infrastructure and quality of life in neighborhoods impacted by xAI’s construction and operations. 

Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton emphasized that the process will include public input, with surveys already distributed to residents to guide spending priorities, according to ABC24.

“With that ordinance, we are in the near future getting ready to set up the committee because this is the people’s money,” Cooper-Sutton said. “We wanna make sure that it is used for the people.”

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Officials noted that they are planning to present a final proposal to the entire council after reviewing community feedback. Cooper-Sutton added that the program represents a step toward ensuring businesses operating in Memphis treat residents “fairly and with equality.”

“It is truly, truly a blessing. What we are doing here at this body and this council, we wanna make sure that whatever business that comes here, that the people are treated fairly and with equality,” she stated. 

xAI partnership fuels local job opportunities

Beyond tax revenue, xAI’s growing presence is expected to bolster Memphis’ workforce development goals. Earlier this month, the artificial intelligence startup co-hosted a job fair at Crosstown Concourse with the American Job Center to connect residents with new employment pathways.

“We know that jobs are coming. We know that talent is here,” Melody Freemon, executive director of the Greater Memphis Workforce Development Board, stated. “We wanna make sure we’re not just putting people in any ole jobs. We wanna put people on a pathway to self-sustainability. We wanna put people on a pathway to self-sustainability and something they can rely on in the future.”

Freemon also noted that the Greater Memphis Workforce Development Board was able to make a favorable offer to xAI. “We promised that we can provide a pipeline. This is the central hub for connection. This is where job seekers are, so let us take the headache off of your hiring needs. Come here, let us source the people and make sure that we meet the demand,” Freeman stated.

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The Boring Company’s self-driving Teslas impress riders with smooth, hands-free rides

The electric vehicles, which currently shuttle visitors between key destinations on the Strip, could soon extend service all the way to the airport.

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Credit: @alifarhat6_ali/X

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system is making waves underground. Passengers who recently rode in The Boring Company’s Las Vegas Loop described the experience as “way smoother than a human driving,” with no manual input from a driver at all. 

The electric vehicles, which currently shuttle visitors between key destinations on the Strip, could soon extend service all the way to the airport.

Controlled FSD testing

In late August, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Steve Hill stated that Tesla’s FSD-equipped vehicles have been undergoing testing in the Boring Company tunnels for several months. These tests are conducted under strict supervision and have not involved regular passengers until recently.

Recent comments about the Boring Company’s driverless Teslas were shared on X by @alifarhat6_ali, who was able to try out the service for himself. As per the Tesla enthusiast, FSD drives much smoother than human drivers inside the Boring Company Las Vegas tunnels. The safety monitor also reportedly noted that the service should soon expand to the airport. 

“I rode in the new self driving Tesla in the Las Vegas Loop! It was WAY smoother than a human driving in the Loop. Zero human input. It wasn’t busy so he let us ride back as well. Driver said they soon will be giving rides all the way to the airport. We are in the future,” the X user wrote in a post. 

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Elon Musk hints at fully driverless Teslas

Earlier this month, Elon Musk posted on X that “The Tesla cars operating in The Boring Company tunnels under Las Vegas will be driverless in a month or two.” This suggests that the Boring Company tunnels in Las Vegas may end up being one of the first locations where actual driverless Teslas will be serving regular customers.

In a way, the deployment of fully driverless Teslas could be perfect for the Las Vegas tunnels. The underground environment should be ideal for Tesla’s autonomous software as it offers predictable routes and traffic, minimal external hazards, and stable lighting conditions that benefit sensor performance.

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