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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.
News
Tesla Supercharger access has proven to be a challenge for one company
Interestingly, it seems to be the Volkswagen brand specifically that is having issues with compatibility with Tesla Superchargers. Other brands under the VW umbrella, like Audi and Porsche, have already gained access to the charging network.

Tesla Supercharger access has proven to be quite the challenge for one company, as it continues to delay the date that it will enable its owners to charge at the most expansive network in the world.
Tesla Superchargers have been opening up to other brands for well over a year, and many car companies that are manufacturing electric vehicles now have access to the vast network that has over 70,000 locations worldwide.
Tesla to launch Supercharger access for VW owners later this year
However, one brand has experienced some issues with what it is calling “technical challenges,” specifically failing to enable cross-compatibility between its vehicles and Tesla Superchargers.
Volkswagen has had to delay its ability to enable customers to charge at Superchargers because there have been some difficulties getting things to run smoothly. A report from PCMag cites a quote from a Volkswagen spokesperson who said there are still plans to deliver this year, but there have been some delays:
“Volkswagen looks forward to making it possible for ID. Buzz and ID.4 vehicle owners to gain access to the Tesla NACS Partner Superchargers. The timeline has been delayed by technical challenges, and we ask for customers’ patience. We still expect to deliver access this year.”
Interestingly, it seems to be the Volkswagen brand specifically that is having issues with compatibility with Tesla Superchargers. Other brands under the VW umbrella, like Audi and Porsche, have already gained access to the charging network.
Volkswagen EV owners will need to use an official VW adapter to access the Tesla Supercharger Network once the issues are resolved. It still plans to launch access to its owners later this year, but its spokesperson did not announce any planned timeline.
News
Tesla Giga Berlin makes big move amid strong sales and demand
“We currently have very good sales figures and have therefore revised our production plans for the third and fourth quarters upwards.”

Tesla is making a big move at its factory in Germany, known as Giga Berlin, as managers at the plant have indicated the company plans to increase its production rate for the remainder of the year.
Giga Berlin is responsible for manufacturing Model Y vehicles for several markets worldwide, including those outside of Europe. It was opened in March 2022, and it recently built its 500,000th Model Y in March and its 100,000th new Model Y just three weeks ago.
Due to some encouraging sales figures in the markets it provides vehicles for, Tesla said it is planning to increase production at the factory for the remainder of the year.
Andrè Thierig, plant manager at Giga Berlin, said to German news outlet DPA on Sunday that market data has encouraged a move to be made regarding the production at the factory:
“We currently have very good sales figures and have therefore revised our production plans for the third and fourth quarters upwards.”
It is interesting to see this kind of narrative from Thierig, especially as data has shown Tesla has struggled in various markets, including Germany, this year.
Sales drops have been reported, but other markets are holding strong, especially those in Northern Europe, such as Norway, where the Model Y saw a nearly 39 percent increase in sales in August compared to the same month the previous year.
Gigafactory Berlin supplies vehicles for other markets, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, which are strategically important to avoid tariffs. It also builds cars for the Middle East.
Thierig reiterated this point during the interview with DPA:
“We supply well over 30 markets and definitely see a positive trend there.”
Elon Musk
Tesla analyst says Musk stock buy should send this signal to investors
“With Musk’s (Tesla stock) purchase, combined with the upward momentum for delivery expectations and robotaxi rollout, we are becoming more bullish.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk purchased roughly $1 billion in Tesla shares on Friday, and analysts are now breaking down the move as the stock is headed upward.
One of them is William Blair analyst Jed Dorsheimer, who said in a new note to investors on Monday that Musk’s move should send a signal of confidence to stock buyers, especially considering the company’s numerous catalysts that currently exist.
Elon Musk just bought $1 billion in Tesla stock, his biggest purchase ever
Dorsheimer said in the note:
“With Musk’s (Tesla stock) purchase, combined with the upward momentum for delivery expectations and robotaxi rollout, we are becoming more bullish. This purchase is Musk’s first buy since 2020. To us, this sends a strong signal of confidence in the most important part of Tesla’s future business, robotaxi.”
Musk putting an additional $1 billion back into the company in the form of more stock ownership is obviously a huge vote of confidence.
He knows more than anyone about the progress Tesla has made and is making on the Robotaxi platform, as well as the company’s ongoing efforts to solve vehicle autonomy. If he’s buying stock, it is more than likely a good sign.
Tesla has continued to expand its Robotaxi platform in a number of ways. The project has gotten bigger in terms of service area, vehicle fleet, and testing population. Tesla has also recently received a permit to test in Nevada, unlocking the potential to expand into a brand-new state for the company.
In the note, Dorsheimer also touched on Musk’s recent pay package, revealing that William Blair recently met with Tesla’s Board of Directors, who gave the firm some more color on the situation:
“We recently participated in a meeting with Tesla’s board of directors to discuss the details of Musk’s performance package. The board is confident of its position in the Delaware case and anticipates a verdict by end of year. It does not expect a similar situation to occur under new Texas jurisdiction. Musk has the board’s full support, and we expect he’ll get more than enough shareholder support for this to pass with flying colors.”
Tesla stock is up over 6 percent so far today, trading at $421.50 at the time of publication.
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