News
Tesla’s original Model 3 Long Range RWD version gets offered in China
Official Tesla Model 3 deliveries in China are yet to begin, but the electric car maker is already going full throttle preparing the market for the arrival of its latest electric sedan. Amidst the start of test drives and sightings of Model 3 Performance equipped with the company’s unique Power Sports aero wheels, Tesla has also added a new version of the vehicle on its Chinese configurator — the Model 3 Long Range RWD.
The addition of the Long Range RWD variant to China’s Model 3 configurator is a rather interesting move by the electric car maker, considering that this particular version was retired in the United States in favor of the lower-priced Mid Range Model 3 RWD. As could be seen from screenshots provided by Tesla owner-enthusiast @ShanghaiJayin, the Long Range Model 3 RWD is offered at 433,000 yuan (around $64,000) before options. That makes it a notable bargain compared to the Long Range AWD Model 3, which starts at 499,00 yuan (around $74,000) in China.
Breaking news today from Tesla China, New Model 3 option in China. Long Range Battery – Rear Wheel Drive. 600KM+ (New photos) #Tesla #TeslaChina #Model3 #China @ElectrekCo @Teslarati @Tesla pic.twitter.com/I6ZGgfrW5H
— Jay in Shanghai 电动 Jay 🇨🇳 (@JayinShanghai) February 1, 2019
The Long Range RWD version of the electric sedan started the entire Model 3 disruption. Being the only configuration available for the vehicle when it started production, the vehicle carried Model 3 sales for several quarters. Despite lacking the dual motors of the Model 3 Performance, the Long Range RWD boasted some impressive specs, from its 310-mile range, its 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds, and its top speed of 140 mph. In the initial months following the start of its production, the Long Range Model 3 was sighted competing in drag races, and just like its larger siblings — the Model S and Model X — the electric sedan proved to be quick on its feet.
It should also be noted that the Long Range Model 3 RWD is the configuration that won over longtime gearhead and veteran auto journalist Henry Payne, who noted that he purchased the electric sedan simply because there is no other vehicle like it on the road. So impressed was Payne with his Long Range Model 3 that he eventually dubbed the vehicle as the 2018 Car of the Year in The Detroit News.
Auto teardown expert Sandy Munro, who ultimately became impressed with Tesla’s tech, also analyzed the vehicle. Munro’s change of heart with the Model 3 is well documented, as he initially disliked the vehicle due to the quality issues with its build, but he eventually admitted that he had to “eat a lot of crow” by the end of his analysis, since it turned out that the electric sedan’s batteries, motors, suspension, and electronics, were completely top-notch.
Tesla’s addition of the Long Range RWD Model 3 for the Chinese market could prove to be a strategic move for the electric car maker, as the vehicle’s relatively low price compared to the Long Range AWD and Performance variants could entice the country’s more budget-conscious car buyers. With a price of around $64,000, the Long Range Model 3 RWD offers China-based customers a chance to purchase a Tesla at a price far below the brand’s usual costs (the Model S 100D, for example, is listed around 849,600 yuan or $126,000 in China). Ultimately, the vehicle would likely be able to play the part of the Model 3’s low-cost variant in China, at least until Tesla is able to start manufacturing more affordable versions of the sedan in Gigafactory 3.
News
Tesla FSD (Supervised) could be approved in the Netherlands next month: Musk
Musk shared the update during a recent interview at Giga Berlin.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk shared that Full Self-Driving (FSD) could receive regulatory approval in the Netherlands as soon as March 20, potentially marking a major step forward for Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance rollout in Europe.
Musk shared the update during a recent interview at Giga Berlin, noting that the date was provided by local authorities.
“Tesla has the most advanced real-world AI, and hopefully, it will be approved soon in Europe. We’re told by the authorities that March 20th, it’ll be approved in the Netherlands,’ what I was told,” Musk stated.
“Hopefully, that date remains the same. But I think people in Europe are going to be pretty blown away by how good the Tesla car AI is in being able to drive.”
Tesla’s FSD system relies on vision-based neural networks trained on real-world driving data, allowing vehicles to navigate using cameras and AI rather than traditional sensor-heavy solutions.
The performance of FSD Supervised has so far been impressive. As per Tesla’s safety report, Full Self-Driving Supervised has already traveled 8.3 billion miles. So far, vehicles operating with FSD Supervised engaged recorded one major collision every 5,300,676 miles.
In comparison, Teslas driven manually with Active Safety systems recorded one major collision every 2,175,763 miles, while Teslas driven manually without Active Safety recorded one major collision every 855,132 miles. The U.S. average during the same period was one major collision every 660,164 miles.
If approval is granted on March 20, the Netherlands could become the first European market to greenlight Tesla’s latest supervised FSD (Supervised) software under updated regulatory frameworks. Tesla has been working to secure expanded FSD access across Europe, where regulatory standards differ significantly from those in the United States. Approval in the Netherlands would likely serve as a foundation for broader EU adoption, though additional country-level clearances may still be required.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk estimates Tesla Semi could reach Europe next year
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” Musk said.
Tesla is preparing to expand its all-electric Semi truck program to Europe, with CEO Elon Musk indicating that the Class 8 vehicle could arrive in the region 2027.
Musk shared his update during an interview about Giga Berlin with plant manager André Thierig, which was posted on X by the official Tesla Manufacturing account.
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” he said.
Tesla has already begun limited production and customer deployments of the Tesla Semi in the United States, with the company working to scale output through the Semi factory near Giga Nevada. Considering Musk’s comments, it appears that a European rollout would be the next phase of the vehicle’s expansion beyond North America.
Musk’s use of the word “hopefully” leaves room for flexibility, but the remark signals that Europe is next in Tesla’s commercial expansion plans.
Musk has consistently argued that electrification should extend beyond passenger vehicles. During the same interview, he reiterated his view that “all ground transport should be electric,” adding that ships, and eventually aircraft, would follow.
The Semi plays a central role in that strategy. Heavy-duty freight remains one of the most emissions-intensive segments of road transport, and European regulators have increasingly pushed for lower-emission commercial fleets.
Tesla recently refreshed the Semi lineup on its official website, listing two variants: Standard and Long Range. The Standard trim offers up to 325 miles of range with an energy consumption rating of 1.7 kWh per mile, while the Long Range version provides up to 500 miles, which should be more than ample for European routes.
Elon Musk
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said.
Tesla could add the Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robot to the production lineup at Giga Berlin, as per recent comments from CEO Elon Musk.
During a recent interview with Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig, Musk identified the Cybercab as the most likely next major product for the German factory, with Optimus potentially following after.
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said. He added that there are also “possibilities of Tesla Optimus” being produced in the facility.
Tesla has already begun production of the Cybercab in Giga Texas, with volume production expected to ramp this year. Based on Musk’s comments, it appears that if conditions align in Europe, Giga Berlin could eventually join that effort.
The CEO’s comments about Optimus coming to Gigafactory Berlin are quite unsurprising too considering that Musk has mentioned in the past that the humanoid robot will likely be Tesla’s highest volume product in the long run.
Giga Berlin will likely be able to produce mass volumes of Optimus, as the Model S and Model X lines being converted to an Optimus line in the Fremont Factory are already expected to produce 1 million units of the humanoid robot annually.
Apart from his comments about the Cybercab and Optimus, Elon Musk also confirmed that Giga Berlin has started ramping battery cell production and will continue expanding Model Y output, particularly as supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) gains regulatory approvals in Europe.
Taken together, the remarks suggest Berlin’s role could evolve beyond vehicle assembly into a broader multi-product manufacturing hub, not just a regional Model Y plant.
Tesla FSD (Supervised) could be approved in the Netherlands next month: Musk
Elon Musk estimates Tesla Semi could reach Europe next year
