Release notes for Tesla’s holiday software update were shared earlier this month, including the addition of the High Fidelity Park Assist feature. Some have since shared footage of the feature in action, showing how it works in parking lots and garages as users evaluate its usefulness when trying to park.
Tesla’s holiday update release notes were shared on X earlier this month, where the company first mentioned the new High Fidelity Park Assist mode. Tesla owner Ryan Hoffman, along with others, have shared videos of the feature on X, including one taken in a Supercharger lot on Saturday.
As can be seen in the video, the activated High Fidelity Park Assist mode shows a similar view to the highly requested Birds Eye 360-degree visualization. Hoffman says he drives a 2023 Model 3 RWD with HW3 and the Ryzen chip, meaning the car doesn’t have Ultrasonic Sensors (USS) and utilizes just Tesla Vision.
The video is taken at a Supercharger station, where Hoffman backs into a charging spot. Behind the visualization of the car, you can see an orange and yellow zone, signifying the vehicle’s close proximity to the charging pile. The top-down visualization shows that it recognizes the charging stalls as well as the parking lines on the ground, making it easy to back into the spot without the car ending up crooked.
He also shared a short video of what it looks like to back into the spot, including the actual rear camera’s video footage and the High Fidelity Park Assist view, and calling the feature a “game changer” for parking.
Here’s a short video of what it looked like to reverse into the spot. The lines for each parking spot are very handy… it’s a game changer for parking. pic.twitter.com/47BDBbXw7z
— Ryan Hoffman (@tekmaven) December 16, 2023
Others have shared similar footage of High Fidelity Park Assist, as many have wondered how exactly the feature is activated when being used in a parking lot. According to X user EVBaymax, the feature appears to engage when there is a clearly defined object in front of or around the car, and when users shift into reverse in a parking lot. Still, the current version seems to lack the ability to engage when driving forward, although it probably should have this ability.
In his videos of the feature, you can see the visualization switch on from the regular Autopilot view when reversing in the parking lot, and he also says that speeding up to around 15-20 mph makes the visualization disappear again. He goes on to call the feature “surprisingly accurate” and “definitely helpful,” and he also includes footage using it in a darker, in-garage environment.
Here’s what the switch from Autopilot visualizations to High-Fidelity Park Assist looks like in a parking lot pic.twitter.com/xtx8BylI0W
— kEV (@EVBaymax) December 16, 2023
You can see in the above videos that the feature still requires some prodding to work as desired, though once it’s engaged, it looks to be pretty useful. It does, however, appear to fill the need that many have requested with Birds Eye, 360-degree views, as the top-down visualizer makes it especially easy to see where the vehicle is in relation to other cars, parking lines, and more when parking.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently said that the company’s cars will eventually offer a convenient “Tap to Park” feature, in which the vehicle will identify open parking spots and let drivers select on-screen which to use, then letting the driver get out and allow the car to park itself in the selected space. Still, many are awaiting updates like Tesla’s Actually Smart Summon and the automaker only reintroduced its Vision-based Park Assist earlier this year.
Tesla Model 3 Highland owner’s manual confirms Auto Shift out of Park feature
What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send your tips to us at tips@teslarati.com.
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Tesla China delivery centers look packed as 2025 comes to a close
Needless to say, it appears that Tesla China seems intent on ending 2025 on a strong note.
Tesla’s delivery centers in China seem to be absolutely packed as the final days of 2025 wind down, with photos on social media showing delivery locations being filled wall-to-wall with vehicles waiting for their new owners.
Needless to say, it appears that Tesla China seems intent on ending 2025 on a strong note.
Full delivery center hints at year-end demand surge
A recent image from a Chinese delivery center posted by industry watcher @Tslachan on X revealed rows upon rows of freshly prepared Model Y and Model 3 units, some of which were adorned with red bows and teddy bears. Some customers also seem to be looking over their vehicles with Tesla delivery staff.
The images hint at a strong year-end push to clear inventory and deliver as many vehicles as possible. Interestingly enough, several Model Y L vehicles could be seen in the photos, hinting at the demand for the extended wheelbase-six seat variant of the best-selling all-electric crossover.
Strong demand in China
Consumer demand for the Model Y and Model 3 in China seems to be quite notable. This could be inferred from the estimated delivery dates for the Model 3 and Model Y, which have been extended to February 2026 for several variants. Apart from this, the Model Y and Model 3 also continue to rank well in China’s premium EV segment.
From January to November alone, the Model Y took China’s number one spot in the RMB 200,000-RMB 300,000 segment for electric vehicles, selling 359,463 units. The Model 3 sedan took third place, selling 172,392. This is quite impressive considering that both the Model Y and Model 3 are still priced at a premium compared to some of their rivals, such as the Xiaomi SU7 and YU7.
With delivery centers in December being quite busy, it does seem like Tesla China will end the year on a strong note once more.
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Tesla Giga Berlin draws “red line” over IG Metall union’s 35-hour week demands
Factory manager André Thierig has drawn a “red line” against reducing Giga Berlin’s workweek to 35 hours, while highlighting that Tesla has actually increased its workers’ salaries more substantially than other carmakers in the country.
Tesla Giga Berlin has found itself in a new labor dispute in Germany, where union IG Metall is pushing for adoption of a collective agreement to boost wages and implement changes, such as a 35-hour workweek.
In a comment, Giga Berlin manager André Thierig drew a “red line” against reducing Giga Berlin’s workweek to 35 hours, while highlighting that Tesla has actually increased its workers’ salaries more substantially than other carmakers in the country.
Tesla factory manager’s “red line”
Tesla Germany is expected to hold a works council election in 2026, which André Thierig considers very important. As per the Giga Berlin plant manager, Giga Berlin’s plant expansion plans might be put on hold if the election favors the union. He also spoke against some of the changes that IG Metall is seeking to implement in the factory, like a 35-hour week, as noted in an rbb24 report.
“The discussion about a 35-hour week is a red line for me. We will not cross it,” Theirig said.
“(The election) will determine whether we can continue our successful path in the future in an independent, flexible, and unbureaucratic manner. Personally, I cannot imagine that the decision-makers in the USA will continue to push ahead with the factory expansion if the election results favor IG Metall.”
Giga Berlin’s wage increase
IG Metall district manager Jan Otto told the German news agency DPA that without a collective agreement, Tesla’s wages remain significantly below levels at other German car factories. He noted the company excuses this by referencing its lowest pay grade, but added: “The two lowest pay grades are not even used in car factories.”
In response, Tesla noted that it has raised the wages of Gigafactory Berlin’s workers more than their German competitors. Thierig noted that with a collective agreement, Giga Berlin’s workers would have seen a 2% wage increase this year. But thanks to Tesla not being unionized, Gigafactory Berlin workers were able to receive a 4% increase, as noted in a CarUp report.
“There was a wage increase of 2% this year in the current collective agreement. Because we are in a different economic situation than the industry as a whole, we were able to double the wages – by 4%. Since production started, this corresponds to a wage increase of more than 25% in less than four years,” Thierig stated.
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Tesla is seeing a lot of momentum from young Koreans in their 20s-30s: report
From January to November, young buyers purchased over 21,000 Teslas, putting it far ahead of fellow imported rivals like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Tesla has captured the hearts of South Korea’s 20s-30s demographic, emerging as the group’s top-selling imported car brand in 2025. From January to November, young buyers purchased over 21,000 Teslas, putting it far ahead of fellow imported rivals like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Industry experts cited by The Economist attributed this “Tesla frenzy” to fandom culture, where buyers prioritize the brand over traditional car attributes, similar to snapping up the latest iPhone.
Model Y dominates among young buyers
Data from the Korea Imported Automobile Association showed that Tesla sold 21,757 vehicles to the 20s-30s demographic through November, compared to BMW’s 13,666 and Mercedes-Benz’s 6,983. The Model Y led the list overwhelmingly, with variants like the standard and Long Range models topping purchases for both young men and women.
Young men bought around 16,000 Teslas, mostly Model Y (over 15,000 units), followed by Model 3. Young women followed a similar pattern, favoring Model Y (3,888 units) and Model 3 (1,083 units). The Cybertruck saw minimal sales in this group.
The Model Y’s appeal lies in its family-friendly SUV design, 400-500 km range, quick acceleration, and spacious cargo, which is ideal for commuting and leisure. The Model 3, on the other hand, serves as an accessible entry point with lower pricing, which is valuable considering the country’s EV subsidies.
The Tesla boom
Experts described Tesla’s popularity as “fandom culture,” where young buyers embrace the brand despite criticisms from skeptics. Professor Lee Ho-geun called Tesla a “typical early adopter brand,” comparing purchases to iPhones.
Professor Kim Pil-soo noted that young people view Tesla more as a gadget than a car, and they are likely drawn by marketing, subsidies, and perceived value. They also tend to overlook news of numerous recalls, which are mostly over-the-air software updates, and controversies tied to the company.
Tesla’s position as Korea’s top import for 2025 seems secured. As noted by the publication, Tesla’s December sales figures have not been reported yet, but market analysts have suggested that Tesla has all but secured the top spot among the country’s imported cars this year.
Tesla China delivery centers look packed as 2025 comes to a close
Tesla Giga Berlin draws “red line” over IG Metall union’s 35-hour week demands
