It’s obvious by now that Tesla is having a major impact on the automotive world, and this seems to be most felt in places where emissions regulations are tightening up in a big way. The state of California, for example, has a regulatory scheme that forces some major car makers into buying greenhouse gas (GHG) credits, and Europe’s impending CO2 restrictions are going to mean creative hoop jumping if manufacturers hope to avoid their fines.
Despite this fine-print qualifying, Tesla isn’t exactly sitting on the bleachers gloating in these companies’ attempts at compliance. Rather, they’re shepherding the changes and gaining a multifaceted advantage while they do so.
In fact, you might say Tesla is the benevolent harbinger of doom for transportation powered by fossil fuels.
In April this year, details of a deal between Fiat Chrysler (FCA) and Tesla were revealed where the companies’ vehicle fleets would be pooled together to bring down FCA’s emissions average in the EU. By doing so, FCA avoided CO2 fines for 2020, according to its CEO Mike Manley in a Q2 2019 results conference call. The arrangement is expected to continue until 2022, and Tesla’s payout from the bargain is estimated to be around $500 million.
Fiat Chrysler is also leaning heavily on Tesla in California where the Italian automaker was recently found to be purchasing GHG credits from the Elon-Musk-led venture. FCA isn’t the only one, though. General Motors (GM) was also found to be buying credits from Tesla, despite having its own battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on the market for years. The move could be to guard against regulatory uncertainties in the future, but the message is still clear: GM has a ways to go in revamping its fleet for an electrified future, and Tesla is offering a hand-up in the process.
The hand-up is quite lucrative, of course. Tesla reported $216 million in revenue from the sale of regulatory credits in Q1 2019 alone, and CFO Zachary Kirkhorn expects credit sales to be even more significant in the future.
Tesla isn’t just helping with “Get Out of Jail (for a price)” cards, either. Their patents have operated under an open source philosophy since 2014. Some things are not shared in order to maintain a business edge – namely their Full Self-Driving tech; however, altogether Tesla is pointing the way towards a zero emissions automotive world, and they’re offering to help others in the industry get there, too. Yes, cars powered by fossil fuels are probably doomed, and Tesla’s success is basically ushering in that apocalypse. But they’re being kinder and gentler about it than they have to be.
The reason I classify Tesla’s credit dealings as benevolent rather than, say, opportunist, is because of the company’s mission from the start. Followers of Elon Musk are well versed (or somewhat versed) on his “Master Plans” that use electric cars to drive energy sustainability. In the end, the transition that FCA and GM are hiccuping their way through was the intention all along. It’s just ironic luck (or hard work, really) that Tesla can be there to guide them and assist them across the bridge. Or through the gates. Or…well, pick your metaphor. Could Tesla be hospice for FCA?
Okay, I’ll stop.
Elon Musk
Pope Leo XIV slams Elon Musk’s pay package due to misinformation (Opinion)
The Pope’s comments seem to be guided by a misunderstanding of what Elon Musk’s pay package entails.

Pope Leo XIV has voiced sharp criticism of corporate pay structures, singling out Tesla CEO Elon Musk and other business leaders as examples of the widening gap between executives and ordinary workers. The pontiff warned that excessive wealth concentration could erode societal values and fuel global polarization.
Pope Leo XIV’s comments seem to be guided by a misunderstanding of what Elon Musk’s pay package entails, and the net positive it would result to TSLA shareholders and the world as a whole.
Pope Leo XIV’s comments
In his first interview since becoming pope in May, Leo XIV, the first US-born head of the Catholic Church, pointed to reports that Musk could become the world’s first trillionaire. As noted in a report from the Financial Times, Pope Leo XIV singled out Elon Musk as an example of the type of wealth that was undermining “the value of human life, of the family, of the value of society.”
“Yesterday, the news (arrived) that Elon Musk is going to be the first trillionaire in the world. What does that mean, and what’s that about? If that is the only thing that has any value any more, then we are in big trouble,” the pontiff stated.
Musk was not the only executive who caught the ire of the leader of the Catholic Church. He noted that while Musk’s pay was problematic, it was only an example of the “continuously wider gap between the income levels of the working class and the money that the wealthiest receive.”
“CEOs that 60 years ago might have been making four to six times what the workers are receiving, the last figure I saw, it’s 600 times what average workers are receiving,” he stated.
Borne out of misrepresentation
A look at Pope Leo XIV’s comments surrounding Elon Musk’s wealth suggests that he may not necessarily be familiar with how the CEO earns his net worth. Musk’s wealth is tied to his stakes in his companies, with a good portion of it coming from Tesla and SpaceX. Thus, quite unlike what the mainstream media narrative might suggest, Elon Musk does not necessarily have a giant vault of gold coins he is hoarding somewhere.
If one were to look at Elon Musk’s pay package, which would result in him becoming a trillionaire, one would see that the CEO could only earn his keep if he proves immense value to Tesla and its shareholders.
His payout might be notable, but he would have to lead Tesla into becoming an $8.5 trillion company first. At this level, Tesla would likely be a notable force of good that would provide a net benefit for people worldwide. Ultimately, it appears that Pope Leo XIV’s comments about Musk may be borne from information gathered only through mainstream sources, some of which tend to have a notable slant against the CEO.
News
Tesla trims Model 3 Long Range RWD price in China by RMB 10,000
The update was implemented by Tesla just weeks after the variant’s introduction.

Tesla has cut the price of its recently introduced long-range rear-wheel drive (RWD) Model 3 in China.
The update was implemented by the electric vehicle maker just weeks after the variant’s introduction.
Tesla China’s Model 3 lineup
The Model 3 RWD Long Range, which carries a CLTC range of 830 kilometers, is now priced from RMB 259,500 ($36,390), down RMB 10,000 ($1,400) from its initial RMB 269,500 ($37,800) price. Deliveries for the updated variant are currently listed at 1-3 weeks for new orders.
Tesla introduced the long-range RWD Model 3 in China on August 12, positioning it as a longer range alternative to the entry-level Model 3 RWD, which is priced at RMB 235,500 ($33,000). Despite the recent update to the price of the Model 3 RWD Long Range, the cost for the other three Model 3 trims remains unchanged.
Delivery times for the base Model 3 RWD and Model 3 Dual Motor AWD are listed at 1–3 weeks across the range, while the Model 3 Performance is listed at 3–5 weeks.
Sales momentum and exports
Tesla continues to offer purchase incentives this month, including five-year zero-interest financing and an RMB 8,000 insurance subsidy, as noted in a CNEV Post report.
Model 3 sales in China reached 9,851 units in July, down 0.78% year-on-year and 40.8% month-over-month compared to June. Still, cumulative sales for the Model 3 between January and July totaled 101,770 units, reflecting a 26.5% year-on-year increase in sales.
Exports of the Model 3 stood at 12,197 units in July, down 46.5% year-on-year but surging 228.8% from June. For the first seven months of 2024, Model 3 exports totaled 70,718 units, a 42% decline.
News
Tesla is bringing back something it took from the Model 3…for a price
“Modify your Model 3 by replacing the turn signal buttons on your steering wheel with turn signal stalks. This modification is included in the purchase price and is installed by a Tesla Service Center.”

Tesla is bringing back the Model 3’s turn signal stalk in China after removing the part with the refresh of the all-electric sedan early last year.
However, it is going to cost you.
In 2024, Tesla launched the Model 3 “Highland,” a refreshed version of the vehicle that included several large-scale changes. One of the most noticeable was the lack of a turn signal stalk, something the company chose to remove and instead implement turn signal buttons on the steering wheel.
The buttons were met with mixed reviews, as some drivers complained that it was too difficult to get used to them. Others had no problem with the change, noting that it was slightly more convenient for them or that they enjoyed the minimalistic look.
Now, Tesla is offering Model 3 owners in China the opportunity to replace the stalk for a price of ¥ 2,499, or about $350:
“Modify your Model 3 by replacing the turn signal buttons on your steering wheel with turn signal stalks. This modification is included in the purchase price and is installed by a Tesla Service Center.”
Tesla notes on its website that the service is available for Model 3 vehicles without stalks manufactured after February 7, 2025. Any car without a stalk that was manufactured before that date will have the service available to them in the future.
Installation can be performed at a Service Center or by the owner. However, Tesla notes that it is not responsible for any damages resulting from self-installation and recommends that the part be put in by an employee.
The cockpit of the Tesla lineup has been under intense scrutiny by the company in recent years. After a few changes to things like the stalk, steering wheel shape, and others, Tesla has usually given drivers the chance to have things reverted back to their preferences if they want.
They did this for the Model S and Model X a few years ago after implementing the yoke steering wheel.
Tesla Steering Wheel Retrofits have started, and it’s easy to get rid of your yoke
The stalk was not supposed to be removed from the Model 3 and Model Y, but Tesla chose to do so with the refresh last year.
It seems the minimalization of the cockpit, overall, is a move that prepares drivers for autonomy, as eventually, Teslas will be void of pedals, steering wheels, and any other apparatus that are used to control the car.
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