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Tesla community comes together to fulfill terminally ill Cybertruck fan’s wish

Credit: u/arfarfarf/Reddit

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The Tesla Cybertruck is already in production, but customer deliveries of the all-electric pickup truck are still just beginning. This means that for some who ordered the vehicle years ago, it would still take some time before they can take delivery of their Cybertruck. For one Cybertruck reservation holder, this is simply time that he does not seem to have. 

In a story posted on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit earlier this month, Wisconsin-based 71-year-old Tesla enthusiast u/arfarfarf stated that he reserved his Cybertruck three years ago. However, he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and given 3-12 months to live. He has canceled his Cybertruck reservation due to his diagnosis, but he would like to experience the vehicle at least. 

Members of the Tesla subreddit responded positively to the EV enthusiast’s request, with some members and even a moderator stating that they could pass along the story to someone who works at the electric vehicle maker. An update to the story has now been posted, and it seems like things worked out for the best. 

Need a favor from Tesla or Cybertruck owner.
byu/arfarfarf inTeslaLounge

As per the former Cybertruck reservation holder, Tesla Staff Manufacturing Engineer Steven Dang answered the electric vehicle community’s call by driving from Minneapolis to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in a Cybertruck for a ride and drive. The Wisconsin-based EV fan noted that he could not drive on the street because of pain medication, but he did go to a big parking lot where he “got to experience just how cool the Cybertruck is.” 

Images shared by the Tesla fan revealed that the event was a very positive experience for everyone involved. In several follow-up posts on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit, the former Cybertruck reservation holder shared some insights about his experience. 

“I couldn’t drive on the street cuz of pain meds, but we went to a big parking lot and got to experience how cool the CT is. I also have to say how great Steven Dang was! Such a cool guy. He has worked on so many projects in 10 years with Tesla. He knows Tom Zhu! I tried to get secret info, but Steven was very informative yet vague,” the Wisconsin-based Tesla fan wrote. 

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Sorry for the delay, but I got my ride in a Cybertruck, (with pics)
byu/arfarfarf inTeslaLounge

This is not the first time that Tesla has extended some special efforts for its most ardent fans. Back in 2017, the Tesla community, led by veteran owners, came together to help give a terminally ill man and Model 3 reservation holder an experience with the all-electric sedan, which was one of the last items on his bucket list. The community’s efforts were forwarded to Tesla, which proceeded to bump the man up the Model 3’s reservation line

Posts on social media indicated that the man took delivery of his Model 3 early, and a huge group of Tesla staff showed up to make his delivery day as special as possible. The delivery was quite a big deal at the time, as the man became one of the first publicly-known non-employee recipients of the Model 3 sedan. 

And in 2018, similar efforts by the EV community helped a Tesla superfan who was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer get a meet-and-greet with Tesla Design Chief Franz von Holzhausen. The superfan, who drove a Model X 90D, wanted to meet one of the men “behind the man,” who worked in the background to push Tesla into the success it became. 

The Model X owner was given a personal tour of the Fremont Factory, and he spent about an hour chatting with von Holzhausen. Following a test drive in a Model 3 with the Chief Designer, Tesla CEO Elon Musk dropped by for a surprise visit, accommodating the superfan for a few minutes before disappearing into the Fremont Factory, which was in the middle of “production hell” at the time.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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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 brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update

Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.

The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.

Tesla Model Y’s ambient lighting design changes revealed in leaked video

With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:

To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”

Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.

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Elon Musk

xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

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xAI-supercomputer-memphis-environment-pushback
(Credit: xAI)

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area. 

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs

Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.

In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.

“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.

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Musk Foundation donation

Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students. 

The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”

“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.

The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”

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EV fans urge Tesla to acquire Unplugged Performance for edge in fleet and security industry

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles.

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Credit: Unplugged Performance

A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.

The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla’s roots in the fleet and security industry. 

A strategic fit

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.

That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.

“I posted this four years ago, but I think it’s more true now than ever,” wrote Whole Mars Catalog, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. “Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.”

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Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a “great fit within Tesla.” adding, “They are literally located directly next to Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne.”

Enabling the next wave

Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla’s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.

“Just imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,” the veteran FSD tester wrote.

The benefits could also extend to Tesla’s existing consumer base. “They also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers — not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that’s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,” Whole Mars Catalog noted.

Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla’s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a “mission-aligned” partner to Tesla.

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In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. “Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,” Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer posted on X. “We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community’s support since 2013!”

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