News
Tesla Model 3 Performance gets 19-inch “Power Sports” Aero Wheels in China
Just a few days into 2019, Tesla has opened the Model 3 configurator to customers in China and select European territories, allowing reservation holders to design and order the electric sedan. With this, Tesla has begun laying the foundations of the Model 3’s international ramp, which is expected to hit its stride in the coming months.
Within the configuration pages of the Model 3 in China, though, lay a rather surprising detail. When designing the Model 3 Performance in Tesla’s Chinese website, a new type of wheel for the vehicle was listed as an option. Instead of the 20″ Sport Wheels that are offered with the Model 3 Performance in the United States, China-bound vehicles are offered with 19″ “Power Sports” wheels.
The Model 3 Performance’s 19″ Power Sports wheels. (Credit: Tesla)
Tesla notes in the items’ description that the Power Sports wheels are designed for “balanced performance and cruising range.” Just like the 18″ Aero Wheel covers in North American vehicles, the 19″ Power Sports wheels include a detachable hubcap that can “better adapt to different road conditions.” Based on Tesla’s Model 3 configurator in China, the 19″ Power Sports wheels are exclusive to the Model 3 Performance; thus, customers who order the Long Range AWD Model 3 are only able to choose between the familiar 18″ Aero Wheels and the 19″ Sports Wheels found in North American units.
Tesla appears to have done a great job in designing the 19″ Power Sports wheels. Unlike the 18″ Aero Wheels, whose design is still polarizing, the 19″ Power Sports wheels could only be described as a very good balance between form and function. While it is unfortunate that the Power Sport wheels are currently unavailable for Model 3 in regions outside China, one can only hope that the wheels might eventually be released to other regions in the near future.
Considering that the new wheels have aero components, it would be quite interesting to see how Tesla’s new Power Sports wheels affect the Model 3 Performance’s range. That said, if their range optimization capabilities are anywhere close to the company’s 18″ Aero Wheels, then the 19″ Power Sports wheels could very well be the best wheel option for the Model 3 that the electric car maker has introduced to date.
The Tesla Model 3 Performance is poised to become a strong contender in China’s high-performance sedan market. Being capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, the vehicle is incredibly quick, and thanks to the Track Mode update, the car is capable of being driven on a closed circuit. Perhaps even more notable, though, is the vehicle’s price.
Last month, the Chinese State Council Customs Tariff Commission announced that it was suspending the extra 25% tariffs it placed on cars and parts being imported from the United States. This resulted in Tesla adjusting the Model 3 Performance’s price from a rather steep 689,000 RMB (roughly $100,000) to a more reasonable 560,000 RMB (around $81,000). At these prices, the Model 3 Performance actually undercuts some of its most notable 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 current price, Tesla has practically made the Model 3 Performance one of the most bang-for-your-buck high-performance sedans in China.
Cybertruck
Tesla Cybertruck’s newest trim will undergo massive change in ten days, Musk says
It appears as if the new All-Wheel-Drive trim of Cybertruck won’t be around for too long, however. Elon Musk revealed this morning that it will be around “only for the next 10 days.”
Tesla’s new Cybertruck trim has already gotten the axe from CEO Elon Musk, who said the All-Wheel-Drive configuration of the all-electric pickup will only be available “for the next ten days.”
Musk could mean the price, which is $59,990, or the availability of the trim altogether.
Last night, Tesla launched the All-Wheel-Drive configuration of the Cybertruck, a pickup that comes in at less than $60,000 and features a competitive range and features that are not far off from the offerings of the premium trim.
Tesla launches new Cybertruck trim with more features than ever for a low price
It was a nice surprise from Tesla, considering that last year, it offered a Rear-Wheel-Drive trim of the Cybertruck that only lasted a few months. It had extremely underwhelming demand because it was only $10,000 cheaper than the next trim level up, and it was missing a significant number of premium features.
Simply put, it was not worth the money. Tesla killed the RWD Cybertruck just a few months after offering it.
With the news that Tesla was offering this All-Wheel-Drive configuration of the Cybertruck, many fans and consumers were encouraged. The Cybertruck has been an underwhelming seller, and this seemed to be a lot of truck for the price when looking at its features:
- Dual Motor AWD w/ est. 325 mi of range
- Powered tonneau cover
- Bed outlets (2x 120V + 1x 240V) & Powershare capability
- Coil springs w/ adaptive damping
- Heated first-row seats w/ textile material that is easy to clean
- Steer-by-wire & Four Wheel Steering
- 6’ x 4’ composite bed
- Towing capacity of up to 7,500 lbs
- Powered frunk
It appears as if this trim of Cybertruck won’t be around for too long, however. Musk revealed this morning that it will be around “only for the next 10 days.”
Only for the next 10 days https://t.co/82JnvZQGh2
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 20, 2026
Musk could mean the price of the truck and not necessarily the ability to order it. However, most are taking it as a cancellation.
If it is, in fact, a short-term availability decision, it is baffling, especially as Tesla fans and analysts claim that metrics like quarterly deliveries are no longer important. This seems like a way to boost sales short-term, and if so many people are encouraged about this offering, why would it be kept around for such a short period of time?
Some are even considering the potential that Tesla axes the Cybertruck program as a whole. Although Musk said during the recent Q4 Earnings Call that Cybertruck would still be produced, the end of the Model S and Model X programs indicates Tesla might be prepared to do away with any low-volume vehicles that do not contribute to the company’s future visions of autonomy.
The decision to axe the car just ten days after making it available seems like a true head-scratcher.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s Neuralink sparks BCI race in China
One of the most prominent is NeuroXess, which launched in 2021 and is already testing implants in patients.
Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, is helping spark a surge of brain-computer interface (BCI) development in China, where startups are moving quickly into human trials with strong state backing.
One of the most prominent is NeuroXess, which launched in 2021 and is already testing implants in patients.
Neuralink’s clinical work and public demonstrations have drawn worldwide attention to invasive brain implants that allow patients to control digital devices using their minds. The company is currently running a global clinical trial and is also busy preparing for its next product, Blindsight, which would restore vision to people with visual impairments.
Neuralink’s visibility has helped accelerate similar efforts in China. Beijing last year classified brain-computer interfaces as a strategic sector and issued a roadmap calling for two or three globally competitive companies by 2030, as per the Financial Times. Since February last year, at least 10 clinical trials for invasive brain chips have launched in the country.
NeuroXess recently reported that a paralyzed patient was able to control a computer cursor within five days of implantation. Founder Tiger Tao credited government support for helping shorten the path from research to trials.
Investment activity has followed the policy push. Industry data show dozens of financing rounds for Chinese BCI startups over the past year, reflecting rising capital interest in the field. Ultimately, while Neuralink remains one of the most closely watched players globally, its momentum has clearly energized competitors abroad.
News
Tesla Supercharger vandalized with frozen cables and anti-Musk imagery amid Sweden union dispute
The incident comes amid Tesla’s ongoing labor dispute with IF Metall.
Tesla’s Supercharger site in Vansbro, Sweden, was vandalized during peak winter travel weeks. Images shared to local media showed frozen charging cables and a banner reading “Go home Elon,” which was complete with a graphic of Musk’s controversial gesture.
The incident comes amid Tesla’s ongoing labor dispute with IF Metall, which has been striking against the company for more than two years over collective bargaining agreements, as noted in a report from Expressen.
Local resident Stefan Jakobsson said he arrived at the Vansbro charging station to find a board criticizing Elon Musk and accusing Tesla of strikebreaking. He also found the charging cables frozen after someone seemingly poured water over them.
“I laughed a little and it was pretty nicely drawn. But it was a bit unnecessary,” Jakobsson said. “They don’t have to do vandalism because they’re angry at Elon Musk.”
The site has seen heavy traffic during Sweden’s winter sports holidays, with travelers heading toward Sälen and other mountain destinations. Jakobsson said long lines formed last weekend, with roughly 50 Teslas and other EVs waiting to charge.
Tesla Superchargers in Sweden are typically open to other electric vehicle brands, making them a reliable option for all EV owners.
Tesla installed a generator at the location after sympathy strikes from other unions disrupted power supply to some stations. The generator itself was reportedly not working on the morning of the incident, though it is unclear whether that was connected to the protest.
The dispute between Tesla and IF Metall centers on the company’s refusal to sign a collective agreement covering Swedish workers. The strike has drawn support from other unions, including Seko, which has taken steps affecting electricity supply to certain Tesla facilities. Tesla Sweden, for its part, has insisted that its workers are already fairly compensated and it does not need a collective agreement,
Jesper Pettersson, press spokesperson for IF Metall, criticized Tesla’s use of generators to keep charging stations running. Still, IF Metall emphasized that it strongly distances itself from the vandalism incident at the Vansbro Supercharger.
“We think it is remarkable that instead of taking the easy route and signing a collective agreement for our members, they are choosing to use every possible means to get around the strike,” Pettersson said.
Tesla Cybertruck’s newest trim will undergo massive change in ten days, Musk says
Elon Musk’s Neuralink sparks BCI race in China
