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First look at Tesla’s Made-in-China Model 3
Tesla China’s Weibo account has released the first official pictures of the Made-in-China Model 3 produced at Gigafactory 3. The images provide the first close-up glimpse of the locally-made electric sedan, including some design elements that are not present in its US-made counterparts.
Contrary to Tesla’s US-made Model 3s, the vehicles that are being produced at Gigafactory 3 will feature two unique badges at the rear. On the left side of the vehicle are Chinese characters that reference “Tesla,” and on the right are the words “Model 3″ in English. Tesla showed off two vehicles in its teaser photos, both of which are painted blue and fitted with 18” Aero Wheels.
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- Tesla’s Made-in-China Model 3. (Credit: JayInShanghai/Twitter)
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- Tesla’s Made-in-China Model 3. (Credit: JayInShanghai/Twitter)
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- Tesla’s Made-in-China Model 3. (Credit: JayInShanghai/Twitter)
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- Tesla’s Made-in-China Model 3. (Credit: JayInShanghai/Twitter)
Tesla’s Made-in-China Model 3. (Credit: JayInShanghai/Twitter)
Similar to the initial China-spec Model that Tesla began exporting to China, the Gigafactory 3-made vehicles are also equipped with a dual charge port. This allows Model 3 owners to charge their vehicles on the country’s growing EV charging infrastructure.
Tesla China’s release of the Made-in-China Model 3’s initial pictures follows the company’s latest teaser for the vehicle, which suggested that the locally-produced all-electric sedan will be available soon. Together with this teaser were speculations that Tesla will be holding an event for the Made-in-China Model 3 on November 11, which also happens to be the country’s Singles’ Day, a massive shopping event that consistently dwarfs the US’ Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
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- Tesla’s Made-in-China Model 3. (Credit: JayInShanghai/Twitter)
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- Tesla’s Made-in-China Model 3. (Credit: JayInShanghai/Twitter)
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- Tesla’s Made-in-China Model 3. (Credit: JayInShanghai/Twitter)
Tesla’s Made-in-China Model 3. (Credit: JayInShanghai/Twitter)
Tesla Chairwoman Robyn Denholm, who is currently in China, has noted that Gigafactory 3 is only waiting for its final approvals to begin manufacturing the Made-in-China Model 3. Once the final approvals are acquired, the Shanghai-based facility could start producing the all-electric sedan for the local market. Elon Musk has previously estimated that Gigafactory 3’s Model 3 production could start at a rate of 1,000 units per week, though recent comments by Tesla Global VP Grace Tao have suggested that the company is looking to hit a more ambitious rate of 3,000 vehicles per week.
Gigafactory 3 stands as a key component of Tesla’s strategy in China. With the facility in place, the electric car maker would be able to compete in the country’s local EV market, which currently stands as the largest in the world. Tesla’s previous vehicles such as the Model S and Model X are well-loved, but their premium base price and import tariffs make them out of reach for many EV buyers. The Model 3 will be a different story, particularly as Gigafactory 3 will exclusively produce affordable versions of the sedan for China.
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.
News
Tesla Cybercab display highlights interior wizardry in the small two-seater
Photos and videos of the production Cybercab were shared in posts on social media platform X.
The Tesla Cybercab is currently on display at the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C., and observations of the production vehicle are highlighting some of its notable design details.
Photos and videos of the production Cybercab were shared in posts on social media platform X.
Observers of the Cybercab display unit noted that the two-seat Robotaxi provides unusually generous legroom for a vehicle of its size. Based on the vehicle’s video, the compact two-seater appears to offer more legroom than Tesla’s larger vehicles such as the Model Y, Model X, and Cybertruck.
The Cybercab’s layout allows Tesla to dedicate nearly the entire cabin to passengers. The vehicle is designed without a steering wheel or pedals, which helps maximize interior space.
Footage from the display also highlights the Cybercab’s large center screen, which is positioned prominently in front of the passenger bench. The display appears intended to provide entertainment and ride information while the vehicle operates autonomously.
Images of the vehicle also show an additional camera integrated into the Cybercab’s C-pillar. The extra camera appears to expand the vehicle’s field of view, which would be useful as Tesla works toward fully unsupervised Full Self-Driving.
Tesla engineers have previously explained that the Cybercab was designed to be highly efficient both in manufacturing and in operation. Cybercab Lead Engineer Eric E. stated in 2024 that the Robotaxi would be built with roughly half the number of parts used in a Model 3 sedan.
“Two seats unlocks a lot of opportunity aerodynamically. It also means we cut the part count of Cybercab down by a substantial margin. We’re gonna be delivering a car that has roughly half the parts of Model 3 today,” the Tesla engineer said.
The Tesla engineer also noted that the Cybercab’s cargo area can accommodate multiple golf bags, two carry-on suitcases, and two full-size checked bags. The trunk can also fit certain bicycles and a foldable wheelchair depending on size, which is quite impressive for a small car like the Cybercab.
Tesla Model Y L spotted on transport trucks in Australia
Elon Musk shares timeframe for X Money early public access rollout
