News
Tesla Model 3 configurator in China teases March deliveries, Standard Range in 2nd half of 2019
Tesla has opened its Model 3 configurator for the Chinese market, allowing potential buyers of the electric sedan to design their vehicles. As could be seen in Tesla’s Chinese website, the company is only offering two variants of the Model 3 in China for now — the Long Range AWD and the Performance version. The Mid Range Model 3 RWD, the vehicle’s most affordable variant available today, is currently unavailable in the country.
The Model 3 configurator in China reflects the vehicle’s updated prices, which were rolled out after the Chinese State Council Customs Tariff Commission announced last month that it was suspending the extra 25% tariffs it placed on cars and parts being imported from the United States. With these adjustments in place, the Model 3 Performance, which was initially announced with a price of 689,000 RMB (roughly $100,000), was adjusted to 560,000 RMB (around $81,000). The Long Range AWD variant, initially listed with a price of 580,000 RMB (around $84,000), was reduced to 499,000 RMB (roughly $72,600).
Tesla’s Model 3 configurator in China. (Credit: Tesla)
White seats are currently priced at 9,300 RMB (~$1,300), while paint options such as “China Red” multicoat are priced at 23,100 RMB (~$3,300). In the case of the Model 3 Performance, the Chinese version of the electric vehicle is also equipped with 19″ “Power Wheels,” which feature a design that combines “balanced performance and cruising range.” Enhanced Autopilot is priced at 46,300 RMB (~$6,700) as well, though the company notes that purchasing the driver-assist system after taking delivery would raise its price to 65,000 RMB (~$9,400). The electric car maker also included a reminder about Autopilot’s upcoming features, stating that “the specific functions and specific time of the push will depend on the relevant laws, regulations, and rules of the People’s Republic of China.”
Tesla’s Model 3 page in China notes that first deliveries for the vehicle are expected to begin sometime in March 2019. The company’s Chinese website further teased that the upcoming Standard Range version of the Model 3 would be available sometime in mid-2019. This is quite in line with Tesla’s timeframe for the Standard Range Model 3 in its US configurator, which estimates the electric car’s availability within 3-4 months.
Tesla’s Model 3 configurator in China. (Credit: Tesla)
Chinese reservation holders who order the vehicle could pick up the Model 3 in select locations across the country. So far, Tesla’s website in China lists 14 pick-up locations, from Beijing to Wuhan. The company adds that if a vehicle is purchased without a test drive, buyers can return the electric car within three days of purchase for a refund.
With the Model 3 now saturating North America, Tesla is gearing up to bring the electric car to the international market. That said, even before the Model 3 configurator was opened to the public, Tesla was already making the vehicle attractive to potential buyers in China. The Model 3 Performance’s 560,000 RMB price, for one, massively undercuts the price of fossil fuel-powered rivals such as the BMW M3 and the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe, which cost as much as 998,000 RMB ($162,000) and 1,198,000 RMB ($173,623), respectively. With its superior acceleration, zero emissions, features such as Enhanced Autopilot, and free over-the-air updates, Tesla has all but made the Model 3’s top-tier variant a bang-for-your-buck vehicle in the Asian country.
The start of Model 3 deliveries in China is but the tip of the iceberg for the electric car maker, as Tesla is also constructing Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai. The facility is expected to produce both battery packs and electric vehicles like the Model 3 and the Model Y. Estimates note that Gigafactory 3 would likely commence the production of electric cars sometime in the second half of 2019.
Investor's Corner
Tesla (TSLA) Q4 and FY 2025 earnings results
Tesla’s Q4 and FY 2025 earnings come on the heels of a quarter where the company produced over 434,000 vehicles, delivered over 418,000 vehicles, and deployed 14.2 GWh of energy storage products.
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has released its Q4 and FY 2025 earnings results in an update letter. The document was posted on the electric vehicle maker’s official Investor Relations website after markets closed today, January 28, 2025.
Tesla’s Q4 and FY 2025 earnings come on the heels of a quarter where the company produced over 434,000 vehicles, delivered over 418,000 vehicles, and deployed 14.2 GWh of energy storage products.
For the Full Year 2025, Tesla produced 1,654,667 and delivered 1,636,129 vehicles. The company also deployed a total of 46.7 GWh worth of energy storage products.
Tesla’s Q4 and FY 2025 results
As could be seen in Tesla’s Q4 and FY 2025 Update Letter, the company posted GAAP EPS of $0.24 and non-GAAP EPS of $0.50 per share in the fourth quarter. Tesla also posted total revenues of $24.901 billion. GAAP net income is also listed at $840 million in Q4.
Analyst consensus for Q4 has Tesla earnings per share falling 38% to $0.45 with revenue declining 4% to $24.74 billion, as per estimates from FactSet. In comparison, the consensus compiled by Tesla last week forecasted $0.44 per share on sales totaling $24.49 billion.
For FY 2025, Tesla posted GAAP EPS of $1.08 and non-GAAP EPS of $1.66 per share. Tesla also posted total revenues of $94.827 billion, which include $69.526 billion from automotive and $12.771 billion from the battery storage business. GAAP net income is also listed at $3.794 billion in FY 2025.
xAI Investment
On January 16, 2026, Tesla agreed to invest approximately $2 billion to acquire Series E preferred shares in xAI as part of the company’s recently disclosed financing round. Tesla said the investment was made on market terms consistent with those agreed to by other participants in the round.
The investment aligns with Tesla’s strategy under Master Plan Part IV, which centers on bringing artificial intelligence into the physical world through products and services. While Tesla focuses on real-world AI applications, xAI is developing digital AI platforms, including its Grok large language model.
Below is Tesla’s Q4 and FY 2025 update letter.
TSLA-Q4-2025-Update by Simon Alvarez
Tesla has rolled out a new Supercharging safety feature in the United States, one that will answer concerns that some owners may have if they need to leave in a pinch.
It is also a suitable alternative for non-Tesla chargers, like third-party options that feature J1772 or CCS to NACS adapters.
The feature has been available in Europe for some time, but it is now rolling out to Model 3 and Model Y owners in the U.S.
With Software Update 2026.2.3, Tesla is launching the Unlatching Charge Cable function, which will now utilize the left rear door handle to release the charging cable from the port. The release notes state:
“Charging can now be stopped and the charge cable released by pulling and holding the rear left door handle for three seconds, provided the vehicle is unlocked, and a recognized key is nearby. This is especially useful when the charge cable doesn’t have an unlatch button. You can still release the cable using the vehicle touchscreen or the Tesla app.”
The feature was first spotted by Not a Tesla App.
This is an especially nice feature for those who commonly charge at third-party locations that utilize plugs that are not NACS, which is the Tesla standard.
For example, after plugging into a J1772 charger, you will still be required to unlock the port through the touchscreen, which is a minor inconvenience, but an inconvenience nonetheless.
Additionally, it could be viewed as a safety feature, especially if you’re in need of unlocking the charger from your car in a pinch. Simply holding open the handle on the rear driver’s door will now unhatch the port from the car, allowing you to pull it out and place it back in its housing.
This feature is currently only available on the Model 3 and Model Y, so Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck owners will have to wait for a different solution to this particular feature.
News
LG Energy Solution pursuing battery deal for Tesla Optimus, other humanoid robots: report
Optimus is expected to be one of Tesla’s most ambitious projects, with Elon Musk estimating that the humanoid robot could be the company’s most important product.
A recent report has suggested that LG Energy Solution is in discussions to supply batteries for Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot.
Optimus is expected to be one of Tesla’s most ambitious projects, with Elon Musk estimating that the humanoid robot could be the company’s most important product.
Humanoid robot battery deals
LG Energy Solution shares jumped more than 11% on the 28th after a report from the Korea Economic Daily claimed that the company is pursuing battery supply and joint development agreements with several humanoid robot makers. These reportedly include Tesla, which is developing Optimus, as well as multiple Chinese robotics companies.
China is already home to several leading battery manufacturers, such as CATL and BYD, making the robot makers’ reported interest in LG Energy Solution quite interesting. Market participants interpreted the reported outreach as a signal that performance requirements for humanoid robots may favor battery chemistries developed by companies like LG.
LF Energy Solution vs rivals
According to the report, energy density is believed to be the primary reason humanoid robot developers are evaluating LG Energy Solution’s batteries. Unlike electric vehicles, humanoid robots have significantly less space available for battery packs while requiring substantial power to operate dozens of joint motors and onboard artificial intelligence processors.
LG Energy Solution’s ternary lithium batteries offer higher energy density compared with rivals’ lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are widely used by Chinese EV manufacturers. That advantage could prove critical for humanoid robots, where runtime, weight, and compact packaging are key design constraints.
Tesla (TSLA) Q4 and FY 2025 earnings results
Tesla rolls out new Supercharging safety feature in the U.S.
