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Tesla China’s Long Range Model 3 RWD starts production in Giga Shanghai

Tesla Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai General Assembly (Source: Tesla)

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Tesla has officially started the production of the Model 3 Long Range Rear Wheel Drive at Gigafactory Shanghai.

The Model 3 Long Range RWD was the first version of the electric sedan that was released in the United States. However, it has since been discontinued in the US in favor of the Long Range All-Wheel-Drive variant. Tesla appears to have seen the car’s potential in China, as the company opted to offer the vehicle on the company’s Chinese configurator. Tesla states that first deliveries of the LR RWD Model 3 are expected to begin in June 2020.

Tesla owner-enthusiast @JayinShanghai shared a promo image from China indicating that the first production models of the LR RWD Model 3 have been completed and “will be officially delivered soon.” There is no indication of whether the first deliveries will take place this month or in June, as listed on the company’s website.

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The China-made LR RWD Model 3 offers 276 miles of range, a top speed of 140 mph, and a 0-62 mph acceleration rate of 5.6 seconds. The car costs 344,050 yuan, or around $48,440.

The vehicle joins the Model 3 Standard Range Plus as a car that is locally produced at Giga Shanghai. The Model 3 Performance will also be built in China and is currently available for ordering, but the first production units are not due to be delivered until the first quarter of 2021.

Tesla has been preparing for a ramp of the Model Y as the company continues to work on Giga Shanghai’s second phase. Construction crews at the site are currently in the process of putting together a second building in the complex. Still, it appears that Tesla’s production team is working on implementing some parts of the Model Y into newer Model 3 builds, hinting at a smooth ramp for the all-electric crossover.

Tesla China appears to be well on its way towards localizing its electric vehicle production, with recent reports pointing to battery partner CATL looking to ramp its cell supply to the electric car maker’s Shanghai-based plant. Such a strategy would allow Tesla to localize more parts of the Model 3, while allowing the company to produce more vehicles at scale. This would be incredibly pertinent considering that the addition of the Long Range RWD and Performance Model 3 will likely result in more demand for Tesla’s electric cars.

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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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Tesla launches Full Self-Driving in a new region

Today, Tesla launched Full Self-Driving in Australia for purchase by car buyers for $10,100, according to Aussie automotive blog Man of Many, which tried out the suite earlier this week.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has launched its Full Self-Driving suite in a new region, marking a significant step in the company’s progress to expand its driver assistance suite on a global scale.

It is also the first time Tesla has launched FSD in a right-hand-drive market.

Today, Tesla launched Full Self-Driving in Australia for purchase by car buyers for $10,100, according to Aussie automotive blog Man of Many, which tried out the suite earlier this week.

Previously, Basic and Enhanced Autopilot suites were available, but the FSD capability now adds Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control, along with all the features of the previous two Autopilot suites.

It is the first time Tesla has launched the suite by name in a region outside of North America. In China, Tesla has “City Autopilot,” as it was not permitted to use the Full Self-Driving label for regulatory reasons.

However, Tesla still lists Full Self-Driving (Supervised) as available in the U.S., Canada, China, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

The company teased the launch of the suite in Australia earlier this week, and it appeared to have been released to select media members in the region earlier this week:

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Tesla FSD upcoming Australia release seemingly teased bv media

The rollout of Full Self-Driving in the Australian market will occur in stages, as Model 3 and Model Y vehicles with Hardware 4 will receive the first batch of FSD rollouts in the region.

TechAU also reported that “the initial deployment of FSDs in Australia will roll out to a select number of people outside the company, these people are being invited into Tesla’s Early Access Program.”

Additionally, the company reportedly said it is “very close” to unlocking FSD in customer cars:

Each new Tesla sold will also come with a 30-day free trial of the suite.

Australia is the sixth country to officially have Full Self-Driving available to them, following the United States, Canada, China, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

Here’s the first look at the suite operating in Australia:

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Tesla AI6 chips will start sample production at surprising Samsung site

AI6 is expected to be used in Tesla’s expanding lineup of high-volume products, such as the Cybercab and Optimus.

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Credit: Tesla/YouTube

It appears that the initial sample production of Tesla’s next-generation AI6 chip would not start in Samsung’s United States-based facilities. 

AI6 is expected to be used in Tesla’s expanding lineup of high-volume products, such as the Cybercab and Optimus.

Early AI6 production

As noted in a ZDNet Korea report, the production of initial samples of Tesla’s AI6 chip is expected to start at Samsung Electronics’ domestic foundry and packing facilities in South Korea. Mass production for AI6 chips will follow at the tech giant’s Texas-based foundry in Taylor, which is expected to start operations in 2025. Investment in mass production facilities for the Taylor plant are expected to start this year, the publication noted.

Samsung has reportedly finalized the process design kit for its second-generation 2nm technology. This node offers a 12% performance improvement, 25% lower power consumption, and an 8% reduction in chip area compared to its previous-generation counterparts. 

Tesla’s AI6 deal

As per previous reports, Tesla has signed a $16.5 billion contract with Samsung for the production of its AI6 chips. In a post on social media platform X, Musk clarified that $16.5 billion is actually just the bare minimum. Considering that the demand for AI6 chips will be substantial due to the ramp of products such as Optimus and the Cybercab, it would not be farfetched if the deal becomes notably larger in the future.

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Musk has shared his excitement for Samsung’s production of AI6 chips, with the CEO stating on X that he would “walk the line personally” in the facility to “accelerate the pace of progress.” In a follow-up comment, the Tesla CEO stated that Samsung is fully aware of what a real partnership with Tesla will be like. “I had a video call with the chairman and senior leadership of Samsung to go over what a real partnership would be like. Use the strengths of both companies to achieve a great outcome,” Musk wrote in his post. 

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Elon Musk’s Boring Company begins Tesla FSD testing in Las Vegas tunnels

The update was shared by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) CEO Steve Hill.

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Credit: The Boring Company/X

The Boring Company has started testing Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system in its Las Vegas tunnels. 

The update was shared by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) CEO Steve Hill in a comment to Fortune.

Controlled FSD testing

In his comments, Hill noted that Tesla’s FSD tests in the Boring Company’s underground tunnels in Las Vegas have been going on for months. However, the full-self driving Teslas have reportedly not been carrying passengers during the tests. Interestingly enough, Hill noted that the FSD-driven vehicles have not had any incidents in the Boring Company tunnels yet, though safety drivers have been required to intervene “periodically.”

Hill further noted that the self-driving Teslas have found some spots that seem quite difficult in the underground tunnels system. The LVCVA CEO added that the rock walls of the Boring Company tunnels and their colorful lighting have created some “interesting but odd lighting” for FSD. That being said, Hill noted that the FSD tests are ongoing, though the LVCVA will likely be a consultant before the self-driving vehicles’ safety drivers are removed. 

The executive, however, noted that it will only be a matter of time before the Teslas in Las Vegas’ Boring Company tunnels are operating without a driver. “Sooner or later, this is going to be autonomous,” Hill said.

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Vegas Loop updates

The Boring Company’s underground transit system has been operating beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center for about four years. While the network is slated for expansion across more of the city, it currently connects the convention grounds with a handful of nearby hotels. Updates from the Boring Company’s official social media account on X suggests that tunneling is underway across other stops in Las Vegas.

As per the Boring Company on its official website, the greater Vegas Loop, when completed, will have 104 stations across 68 miles of tunnels. This should allow the underground system to serve an estimated 90,000 passengers per hour. It will also be able to connect key locations across the city, such as Harry Reid International Airport, Allegiant Stadium, and downtown.

While the Vegas Loop is nowhere near complete, Hill noted that the system is already well appreciated by residents and visitors. As per the LVCVA CEO, the underground transport system is the “highest rated feature we have” at the Convention Center.  “People love it,” he said, adding that the only reason the tunnels are not coming faster is due to holdups with permits. “We’re holding them back. They’re not holding us back,” he stated.

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