Tesla has confirmed plans to bring its revolutionary adaptive driving beam and Matrix headlights to the U.S. with the new Model Y, as stated in a video this week with two of the company’s top executives.
In a video shared to the Jay Leno’s Garage YouTube channel on Monday, Tesla Head Designer Franz von Holzhausen and Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy spoke with the former talk show host about the newly released Model Y refresh and some of its new features. The nearly-hour-long video touches on several new design choices deployed with the upgraded Model Y, including the confirmation that the vehicle will bring Tesla’s highly-anticipated adaptive beam feature to the U.S. alongside the redesigned Model Y’s Matrix LED headlights.
🚨 NEWS: The new Tesla Model Y will use Matrix Headlights to keep visibility high while not blinding other drivers.
Lars Moravy and Franz von Holzhausen confirmed that Tesla's Matrix Headlights will officially roll out Adaptive Driving Headlights with the new Model Y https://t.co/OfoQU5errY pic.twitter.com/EpBGaS347b
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) February 10, 2025
A few minutes into the video, Moravy notes that the 2026 Model Y does in fact include the Matrix-style LED headlights that have been released in other markets, noting that they can change their beam pattern as needed. Moravy says Tesla plans to release the adaptive driving headlight feature shortly after delivery of the vehicle, which is expected to begin in March in the U.S.
The matrix headlights enable specific pixels in the LEDs to dim when other vehicles or off-road areas are detected, allowing them to remain super bright while effectively turning off for oncoming drivers or upcoming curves. Both Moravy and von Holzhausen go on to point out how the feature offers increased safety for both the driver, who will still be able to see using the mega-bright headlights, and drivers in oncoming traffic, who won’t be blinded by the headlights.
You can watch the full episode of Jay Leno’s garage with Franz von Holzhausen and Lars Moravy below.
READ MORE ON THE TESLA MODEL Y REFRESH: Tesla confirms highly-requested seating option for new Model Y
The news comes after Moravy confirmed last year that the Matrix headlights would soon make their way to North America, though he didn’t disclose when. Tesla also offers the headlights in markets across Europe and elsewhere, and many have been awaiting such a launch in the U.S. and Canada.
Matrix headlights and adaptive beams aren’t exclusive to Tesla’s vehicles, as some offerings from automakers such as Rivian and Mercedes also include this function. Given that Tesla will be rolling out the adaptive beam feature after delivering the Model Y, according to Moravy, it’s also highly possible that other models in North America with the right headlight hardware could get access to the feature with upcoming updates.
What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.
Tesla is bringing its fast Performance trim to new Model Y – Here’s when to expect it
Need accessories for your Tesla? Check out the Teslarati Marketplace:
Elon Musk
Tesla China posts strong February wholesale growth at Gigafactory Shanghai
The update was shared by Tesla observers on social media platform X, citing monthly China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data.
Tesla China sold 58,599 vehicles wholesale in February, reflecting strong year-over-year growth. The figure includes both domestic deliveries in China and vehicles exported to international markets.
The update was shared by Tesla observers on social media platform X, citing monthly China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data.
Tesla’s February wholesale result represents a 91% increase year over year, compared with 30,688 vehicles in February 2025. Month over month, the result was down 15.2% from January, when Tesla China recorded 69,129 wholesale units.
The February total reflects combined sales of the Model 3 and Model Y produced at Gigafactory Shanghai. The facility produces the two vehicles for both domestic sales and exports.
Gigafactory Shanghai continues to serve as Tesla’s primary vehicle export hub, supplying vehicles to markets across Asia and Europe. Data compiled by Tesla watchers shows that 18,485 vehicles were sold domestically in China in January 2026, while exports accounted for 50,644 units during the same period.
Tesla has also been extending financing programs in China as it pushes to strengthen domestic demand. The company recently extended its seven-year ultra-low-interest and five-year interest-free financing programs through March 31, marking the second extension of the promotion this year.
The financing initiative was first introduced on January 6 as a strategy aimed at offsetting higher ownership costs ahead of China’s planned 5% NEV purchase tax in 2026. The promotion was originally scheduled to expire at the end of January before being extended to February and then again through the end of the first quarter.
Tesla’s efforts come amid growing competition in China’s EV market. According to data compiled by CNEV Post, Tesla’s 2025 retail sales in China reached 625,698 vehicles, representing a 4.78% year-over-year decline. Part of that decline was linked to the Model Y changeover to its updated variant in early 2025, which temporarily reduced deliveries during the transition period.
News
Tesla Model Y L spotted on transport trucks in Australia
One of the sightings was reported along Victoria Parade in Melbourne, and it showed multiple Model Y L vehicles on a transport carrier.
Tesla’s upcoming Model Y L has been spotted on transport trucks in Australia. Sightings of the six-seat extended wheelbase Model Y variant have been reported on social media platform X by members of the Australian Tesla community.
One of the sightings was reported along Victoria Parade in Melbourne, and it showed multiple Model Y L vehicles on a transport carrier.
The sighting follows earlier observations by Tesla enthusiasts in Sydney, where a covered vehicle believed to be a Model Y L was spotted at a Supercharger.
The Sydney sighting drew attention after observers noted that the vehicle’s tare weight appeared to match the ADR approval listing for the Model Y L, suggesting it could indeed be the extended wheelbase variant of the electric SUV.
Tesla has previously confirmed that the Model Y L will launch in Australia and New Zealand in 2026. The confirmation was reported by techAU following a media release from Tesla Australia and New Zealand.
The Model Y L expands the existing Model Y lineup with seating for six passengers. The vehicle features a longer body compared with the standard Model Y in order to accommodate a spacious second and third row.
Tesla has opted for a 2-2-2 seating configuration instead of a traditional seven-seat layout for the Model Y L. The design includes two individual seats in the middle row to provide easier access to the third row and additional passenger space.
Tesla Australia and New Zealand has also stated that the Model Y L will be covered under the company’s updated warranty structure beginning in 2026.
Tesla has not yet announced pricing or official range figures for the Model Y L in Australia.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk shares timeframe for X Money early public access rollout
X Money is expected to enable financial transactions within the app, expanding the platform’s capabilities beyond social media features.
Elon Musk has stated that X Money, the digital payments system being developed for social media platform X, is expected to enter early public access next month.
The update was shared by Musk in a post on X. “𝕏 Money early public access will launch next month,” Musk wrote in his post.
As noted in a Reuters report, X Money is being developed as a digital payment service that’s directly integrated into the X platform.
The system is expected to enable financial transactions within the app, expanding the platform’s capabilities beyond social media features.
Musk has previously discussed plans to introduce payments and financial services as part of X’s broader development.
Since acquiring the platform in 2022, Musk has discussed expanding X to include a range of services such as messaging, media, and financial tools.
Elon Musk has shared his goal of transforming X into an “everything app.” During a previous podcast interview with members of the Tesla community, Musk mused about turning X into something similar to China’s WeChat, which allows users to shop, pay, communicate, and perform a variety of other tasks.
“In China, you do everything in WeChat… it’s kickass… Outside of China, there’s nothing like it, people live on one app. My idea would be like how about if we just copy WeChat,” Musk joked at the time.
To prepare for the rollout of X Money, X has partnered with payment company Visa to support the development of payment services for the platform’s users. The move could allow X to tap into the growing demand for digital and in-app financial transactions as the company builds additional services around its existing user base.