News
Tesla’s new Model 3 center console and wheels incite conversations within the EV community
Recent images from Tesla’s Fremont Factory have revealed that the electric car maker is rolling out “refreshed” versions of its Model 3 sedan. The newly-produced vehicles feature several subtle updates, including a new center console and some rather unique wheels. And as it is with every change on a beloved product, Tesla enthusiasts are quite split about the changes.
A look at the newly-produced Model 3s shows that Tesla has adopted what appears to be a more traditional design for the all-electric sedan’s new center console. Unlike the seamless piano black console of the original Model 3, the “refreshed” vehicles feature a matte finish, silver accents, and faux leather stitching. The cover of the phone charger in the original console has also been removed.
Numerous Tesla owners promptly welcomed the new update, with some stating that the new center console design simply looks more refined and luxurious. Others, however, argued that the original piano black console worked better since it fits perfectly with the vehicle’s minimalist interior and smooth, elegant lines. Some have even remarked that the new console looks like something that legacy automakers like GM or Chrysler would design for their cars.
It’s not just the Model 3’s center console that has caused some conversations among the electric car community. The vehicle’s wheels have become a point of interest among Tesla enthusiasts as well. This is largely due to what appears to be the Model 3’s new wheels, which now have a slightly different appearance compared to their classic 19” Sport Wheels.
The new wheels, which were initially shared on EV blog Electrek, look to be about the same size as the classic 19″ Sport Wheels. They are, however, notably flatter, suggesting that the new wheels may be optimized for efficiency. The new wheels are also quite interesting in the way that not all of their spokes are the same shape. This, together with the new wheels’ appearance, inspired suggestions that they may be Tesla’s new Aero Covers for the Model 3.
Similar to the new center console, the newly-spotted Model 3 wheels also received polarizing reactions from the Tesla community, with a number of owners noting the previous 19” Sport Wheels looked a lot better. That being said, it should be noted that the new Model 3 wheels actually look very similar to the Model S’ Slipstream Wheels, which are being sold by Tesla today as part of its Winter Tire Package.
As noted by several Tesla owners, the polarizing reception from the company’s enthusiasts is pretty much on form for the electric car maker. Other Tesla creations, after all, received mixed reviews during their unveiling, only to be well-accepted later on. A good example of this is the Cybertruck, which split the EV community to such a degree that some Tesla owners called out the electric car maker over the vehicle. Almost a year later, the Cybertruck is pretty much accepted, as hinted at by its massive reservation list.
Elon Musk
SpaceX secures win as US labor board drops oversight case
The NLRB confirmed that it no longer has jurisdiction over SpaceX.
SpaceX scored a legal victory after the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decided to dismiss a case which accused the company of terminating engineers who were involved in an open letter against founder Elon Musk.
The NLRB confirmed that it no longer has jurisdiction over SpaceX. The update was initially shared by Bloomberg News, which cited a letter about the matter it reportedly reviewed.
In a letter to the former employees’ lawyers, the labor board stated that the affected employees were under the jurisdiction of the National Mediation Board (NMB), not the NLRB. As a result, the labor board stated that it was dismissing the case.
As per Danielle Pierce, a regional director of the agency, “the National Labor Relations Board lacks jurisdiction over the Employer and, therefore, I am dismissing your charge.”
The NMB typically oversees airlines and railroads. The NLRB, on the other hand, covers most private-sector employers, as well as manufacturers such as Boeing.
The former SpaceX engineers have argued that the private space company did not belong under the NMB’s jurisdiction because SpaceX only offers services to “hand-picked customers.”
In an opinion, however, the NMB stated that SpaceX was under its jurisdiction because “space transport includes air travel” to get to outer space. The mediation board also noted that anyone can contact SpaceX to secure its services.
SpaceX had previously challenged the NLRB’s authority in court, arguing that the agency’s structure was unconstitutional. Jennifer Abruzzo, the NLRB general counsel under former United States President Joe Biden, rejected SpaceX’s claims. Following Abruzzo’s termination under the Trump administration, however, SpaceX asked the labor board to reconsider its arguments.
SpaceX is not the only company that has challenged the constitutionality of the NLRB. Since SpaceX filed its legal challenge against the agency in 2024, other high-profile companies have followed suit. These include Amazon, which has filed similar cases that are now pending.
News
Tesla accuses IG Metall member of secretly recording Giga Berlin meeting
The union has denied the electric vehicle maker’s allegations.
Police seized the computer of an IG Metall member at Tesla Giga Berlin on Tuesday amid allegations that a works council meeting was secretly recorded.
The union has denied the electric vehicle maker’s allegations.
In a post on X, Gigafactory Berlin plant manager André Thierig stated that an external union representative from IG Metall attended a works council meeting and allegedly recorded the session. Thierig described the event as “truly beyond words.”
“What has happened today at Giga Berlin is truly beyond words! An external union representative from IG Metall attended a works council meeting. For unknown reasons he recorded the internal meeting and was caught in action! We obviously called police and filed a criminal complaint!” Thierig wrote in his post on X.
Police later confirmed to local news outlet rbb24 that officers did seize a computer belonging to an IG Metall member at the Giga Berlin site on Tuesday afternoon. Tesla stated that employees had contacted authorities after discovering the alleged recording.
IG Metall denied Tesla’s accusations, arguing that its representative did not record the meeting. The union alleged that Tesla’s claim was simply a tactic ahead of upcoming works council elections.
The next works council election at Giga Berlin is scheduled for March 2 to 4, 2026. The facility’s management had confirmed the dates to local news outlets. The official announcement marks the start of the election process and campaign period.
Approximately 11,000 employees are eligible to participate in the vote.
The previous works council election at the plant took place in 2024, and it was triggered by a notable increase in workforce size. Under German labor law, regular works council elections must be held every four years between March 1 and May 31.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s xAI plants flag in Bellevue AI hotspot
The lease places xAI’s new office in one of the region’s fastest-growing tech hubs.
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI has leased a full floor at Lincoln Square South in downtown Bellevue, WA, as per city permit filings.
The lease places xAI’s new office in one of the region’s fastest-growing tech hubs.
Public records indicate that xAI leased roughly 24,800 square feet in Lincoln Square South. The location was previously occupied by video game company Epic Games. Lincoln Square South is part of the Bellevue Collection, which is owned by Kemper Development Co.
The lease was first referenced in January by commercial real estate firm Broderick Group, which noted that an unnamed tenant had secured the space, as stated in a report from the Puget Sound Business Journal. Later filings identified xAI as the occupant for the space.
xAI has not publicly commented on the lease.
xAI hinted at plans to open an office in the Seattle area back in September, when the startup posted job openings with salaries ranging from $180,000 to $440,000. At the time, the company had narrowed its location search to cities on the Eastside but had not finalized a lease.
xAI’s Bellevue expansion comes as Musk continues consolidating his businesses. Last week, SpaceX acquired xAI in a deal that valued the artificial intelligence startup at $250 billion. SpaceX itself is now valued at roughly $1.25 trillion and is expected to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) later this year.
Musk already has a significant presence in the region through SpaceX, which employs about 2,000 workers locally. That initiative, however, is focused largely on Starlink satellite development.
Bellevue has increasingly become a center for artificial intelligence companies. OpenAI has expanded its local office footprint to nearly 300,000 square feet. Data infrastructure firms such as Crusoe and CoreWeave have also established offices downtown.
SpaceX secures win as US labor board drops oversight case
Tesla accuses IG Metall member of secretly recording Giga Berlin meeting
