Tesla China recently held in-depth discussions with members of the media from Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and other cities to discuss several pertinent topics related to the company, its operations, and its vehicles. David Lau, Vice President of Global Software Engineering at Tesla, spoke during the media event.
The topics discussed included “How Tesla Cultivates Top Engineers” and “The Intelligent Capability of the New Model S/X.” But more importantly, the event focused on how Tesla’s “Plaid Mode” translates not only to the Model S and Model X’s 0-60 mph launch — it also applies to the company’s software development. As such, other topics discussed during the media event were “Enabling Plaid Mode in Software Development” and “How Tesla’s Software Development Maintains Plaid Speed.”
“Tesla has always been challenging tradition, challenging industry conventional thinking, and challenging its own comfort zone… This is indeed difficult, but as long as we keep pushing ourselves to continuously break through boundaries, there is nothing that cannot be achieved,” Lau said at the event, whose local media notes were shared by an attendee to Teslarati.
The Tesla executive also highlighted that Elon Musk’s references to “Plaid” being beyond “Ludicrous” lies beyond pop culture. It also represents an engineer culture with a persistent — if not stubborn — pursuit of disruptive innovation and breakthroughs. This way of thinking appears to have worked, as surveys of engineering students from North America by consulting firm Universum showed that Tesla had become one of the most attractive automotive companies in the industry. In 2020, Tesla was ranked first in the list of companies that engineering students want to work for the most.
“At Tesla, teams have a persistent pursuit of disruptive innovation and breakthroughs. For example, daily discussions revolve around topics such as ‘how to reduce wiring and weight to simplify design,’ ‘how to improve display performance while reducing costs,’ and ‘how to strengthen the technical security network.’ Continuously creating an engineer-friendly atmosphere and attracting a large number of industry experts to Tesla is aimed at achieving a common goal – accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy,” Tesla China’s media release noted.
During the event, attendees from the media showed particular interest in the new Tesla Model S and Model X, which feature the best that the electric vehicle maker could offer today. The executive highlighted that the new Model S and Model X are benchmarks since they play the parts of a “family car” and a “super performance car” at the same time. And thanks to the company’s work in in-vehicle tech, the new Model S and Model X have also become capable “in-car gaming systems” whose performance allows users and passengers to play premium titles.
While Lau’s discussions on how Tesla’s “Plaid” philosophy and the new Model S and Model X were compelling, his comments while discussing the company’s identity as a software-defined automaker were also very interesting. As noted by the executive, Tesla’s software work has been setting benchmarks for a very long time. Lau joined the company way back in 2012, and at the time, Tesla already had the capability to improve its vehicle controllers through over-the-air (OTA) software updates. Rival carmakers were only able to update their entertainment systems at most back then.
“Many people think that the vehicle itself is a completely independent system, but in the Tesla software team’s view, the vehicle software system is only a part of the large software system. The implementation of a large number of vehicle software functions requires consideration of the network and service system. We hope to provide timely feedback on corresponding functions according to customers’ real-time driving experience and continuously optimize the user experience,” Lau said.
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Elon Musk
First Tesla Cybercab rolls off Giga Texas production line
Tesla’s official account on X shared an image showing employees gathered around the first Cybercab built at Gigafactory Texas.
Tesla has produced the first Tesla Cybercab at Texas Gigafactory, marking a key milestone ahead of the planned autonomous two-seater’s production in April. The two-seat Robotaxi, which was unveiled in 2024, is designed without pedals or a steering wheel and represents Tesla’s most aggressive step yet toward fully autonomous mobility.
Tesla’s official account on X shared an image showing employees gathered around the first Cybercab built at Gigafactory Texas. Elon Musk echoed the milestone, writing, “Congratulations to the Tesla team on making the first production Cybercab!”
Previous comments from Musk on X reiterated the idea that production of the Cybercab “starts in April.” The vehicle will launch without traditional driver controls, and it will rely entirely on Tesla’s vision-based Full Self-Driving (FSD) system.
The Cybercab is positioned to compete with autonomous services such as Waymo. While Tesla has deployed Model Y vehicles in limited Robotaxi operations in Austin and the Bay Area, a serious ramp of the service to other cities across the United States is yet to be implemented. The production of the Cybercab could then be seen as a push towards the company’s autonomy plans.
Musk has linked the Cybercab to Tesla’s proposed “Unboxed” manufacturing process, which would assemble large vehicle modules separately before integrating them, rather than following a traditional production line. The approach is intended to cut costs, reduce factory footprint, and speed up output.
That being said, Elon Musk has set expectations for the Cybercab’s production ramp. As per Musk, it would likely take some time before meaningful volumes of the Cybercab are produced because it is such a new and different vehicle. But when the vehicle hits its pace, volumes will be notable.
“Initial production is always very slow and follows an S-curve. The speed of production ramp is inversely proportionate to how many new parts and steps there are. For Cybercab and Optimus, almost everything is new, so the early production rate will be agonizingly slow, but eventually end up being insanely fast,” Musk noted.
Elon Musk
California city weighs banning Elon Musk companies like Tesla and SpaceX
A resolution draft titled, “Resolution Ending Engagement With Elon Musk-Controlled Companies and To Encourage CalPERS To Divest Stock In These Companies,” alleges that Musk “has engaged in business practices that are alleged to include violations of labor laws, environmental regulations, workplace safety standards, and regulatory noncompliance.”
A California City Council is planning to weigh whether it would adopt a resolution that would place a ban on its engagement with Elon Musk companies, like Tesla and SpaceX.
The City of Davis, California, will have its City Council weigh a new proposal that would adopt a resolution “to divest from companies owned and/or controlled by Elon Musk.”
This would include a divestment proposal to encourage CalPERS, the California Public Employees Retirement System, to divest from stock in any Musk company.
A resolution draft titled, “Resolution Ending Engagement With Elon Musk-Controlled Companies and To Encourage CalPERS To Divest Stock In These Companies,” alleges that Musk “has engaged in business practices that are alleged to include violations of labor laws, environmental regulations, workplace safety standards, and regulatory noncompliance.”
It claims that Musk “has used his influence and corporate platforms to promote political ideologies and activities that threaten democratic norms and institutions, including campaign finance activities that raise ethical and legal concerns.”
If adopted, Davis would bar the city from entering into any new contracts or purchasing agreements with any company owned or controlled by Elon Musk. It also says it will not consider utilizing Tesla Robotaxis.
Hotel owner tears down Tesla chargers in frustration over Musk’s politics
A staff report on the proposal claims there is “no immediate budgetary impact.” However, a move like this would only impact its residents, especially with Tesla, as the Supercharger Network is open to all electric vehicle manufacturers. It is also extremely reliable and widespread.
Regarding the divestment request to CalPERS, it would not be surprising to see the firm make the move. Although it voted against Musk’s compensation package last year, the firm has no issue continuing to make money off of Tesla’s performance on Wall Street.
The decision to avoid Musk companies will be considered this evening at the City Council meeting.
The report comes from Davis Vanguard.
It is no secret that Musk’s political involvement, especially during the most recent Presidential Election, ruffled some feathers. Other cities considered similar options, like the City of Baltimore, which “decided to go in another direction” after awarding Tesla a $5 million contract for a fleet of EVs for city employees.
News
Tesla launches new Model 3 financing deal with awesome savings
Tesla is now offering a 0.99% APR financing option for all new Model 3 orders in the United States, and it applies to all loan terms of up to 72 months.
Tesla has launched a new Model 3 financing deal in the United States that brings awesome savings. The deal looks to move more of the company’s mass-market sedan as it is the second-most popular vehicle Tesla offers, behind its sibling, the Model Y.
Tesla is now offering a 0.99% APR financing option for all new Model 3 orders in the United States, and it applies to all loan terms of up to 72 months.
It includes three Model 3 configurations, including the Model 3 Performance. The rate applies to:
- Model 3 Premium Rear-Wheel-Drive
- Model 3 Premium All-Wheel-Drive
- Model 3 Performance
The previous APR offer was 2.99%.
NEWS: Tesla has introduced 0.99% APR financing for all new Model 3 orders in the U.S. (applies to loan terms of up to 72 months).
This includes:
• Model 3 RWD
• Model 3 Premium RWD
• Model 3 Premium AWD
• Model 3 PerformanceTesla was previously offering 2.99% APR. pic.twitter.com/A1ZS25C9gM
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) February 15, 2026
Tesla routinely utilizes low-interest offers to help move vehicles, especially as the rates can help get people to payments that are more comfortable with their monthly budgets. Along with other savings, like those on maintenance and gas, this is another way Tesla pushes savings to customers.
The company had offered a similar program in China on the Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, but it had ended on January 31.
The Model 3 was the second-best-selling electric vehicle in the United States in 2025, trailing only the Model Y. According to automotive data provided by Cox, Tesla sold 192,440 units last year of the all-electric sedan. The Model Y sold 357,528 units.
First Tesla Cybercab rolls off Giga Texas production line
California city weighs banning Elon Musk companies like Tesla and SpaceX
