News
Tesla Model 3 Performance targets BMW M3 with ultra-competitive pricing in China
Following an announcement from authorities about the upcoming suspension of extra tariffs placed on vehicles imported from the United States, Tesla has reduced the pricing of some Model S and Model X variants in China. The Model 3, which is expected to start deliveries next year, also received some price adjustments.
As it turns out, the recent price reduction to the Model 3 Performance has made the vehicle incredibly competitive in price against rivals like the BMW M3 and the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe. When Tesla initially allowed Chinese reservation holders to configure their Model 3, the Performance variant was listed with a price of 689,000 RMB (roughly $100,000). With the recent adjustments, though, the Performance variant’s price has been reduced to just 560,000 RMB (around $81,000).
By adopting such a pricing strategy, Tesla has all but made the Model 3 Performance as one of the best bang-for-the-buck sports sedans in the country. After all, the BMW M3 — a vehicle that the all-electric car is competing with — currently sells for 998,000 RMB ($162,000). The Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe, another high-performance, luxury sedan competing in the same market, currently costs 1,198,000 RMB ($173,623).
- The Tesla Model 3 Performance’s current price in China. (Photo: vincent13031925/Twitter)
- The BMW M3’s price in the Chinese market. (Photo: vincent13031925/Twitter)
- A screenshot of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe’s pricing in China. (Photo: vincent13031925/Twitter)
The current prices of the Model 3 Performance, BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe in China. (Credit: vincent13031925/Twitter)
With instant torque, superior 0-60 mph times, free over-the-air updates, and Enhanced Autopilot, the Model 3 Performance’s 560,000 RMB price is nothing short of a bargain. Being an all-electric car, the Model 3 Performance is also a zero-emissions vehicle, making it a perfect fit for China’s aggressive push towards the adoption of EVs. With even its price being an advantage against its rivals, it would not be surprising if the Tesla Model 3 Performance ends up outselling its ICE-powered rivals in China.
Since adjusting the prices of its vehicles, Tesla’s stores in the Asian economic powerhouse have experienced a large influx of customers. Reports from local media outlets, for one, noted that numerous electric car buyers visited Tesla’s retail stores after the Model S and X’s prices were lowered. It did not take long before Tesla began sending out emails to customers apologizing for delays resulting from the increase in demand for its vehicles.
“Dear customers who have been appointed:
Due to the adjustment of tariffs & new pricing, the biz volume in these 2 days is skyrocketing. We will send new contract to everyone tonight. Plz be patient. TY for ur support & love for @Tesla China.”
thx @bruceyanchen $TSLA pic.twitter.com/t4qQ5nv0vh— vincent (@vincent13031925) December 18, 2018
Tesla’s electric cars might already be more affordable with their updated prices, but the company is aiming to lower the cost of its vehicles even further. The electric car maker is currently in the process of building Gigafactory 3, a facility that produces both battery packs and electric cars. Reports from local Chinese media have suggested that the factory would start producing vehicles in the second half of 2019. Two vehicles will be manufactured in Gigafactory 3 — the Model 3 sedan and the Model Y SUV, both of which are set to compete with mainstream local-made EVs.
The construction of Gigafactory 3 is already underway. Recent drone footage reveals that a perimeter fence has been set up in the company’s 864,885-square meter plot of land in Shanghai’s Lingang Industrial Zone. The site has been attracting a lot of interest from the country’s workforce as well, with a recent job fair getting extended due to the overwhelming number of applicants applying for openings on Gigafactory 3.
Elon Musk
SpaceX weighs Nasdaq listing as company explores early index entry: report
The company is reportedly seeking early inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 index.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is reportedly leaning toward listing its shares on the Nasdaq for a potential initial public offering (IPO) that could become the largest in history.
As per a recent report, the company is reportedly seeking early inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 index. The update was reported by Reuters, citing people familiar with the matter.
According to the publication, SpaceX is considering Nasdaq as the venue for its eventual IPO, though the New York Stock Exchange is also competing for the listing. Neither exchange has reportedly been informed of a final decision.
Reuters has previously reported that SpaceX could pursue an IPO as early as June, though the company’s plans could still change.
One of the publication’s sources also suggested that SpaceX is targeting a valuation of about $1.75 trillion for its IPO. At that level, the company would rank among the largest publicly traded firms in the United States by market capitalization.
Nasdaq has proposed a rule change that could accelerate the inclusion of newly listed megacap companies into the Nasdaq-100 index.
Under the proposed “Fast Entry” rule, a newly listed company could qualify for the index in less than a month if its market capitalization ranks among the top 40 companies already included in the Nasdaq-100.
If SpaceX is successful in achieving its target valuation of $1.75 trillion, it would become the sixth-largest company by market value in the United States, at least based on recent share prices.
Newly listed companies typically have to wait up to a year before becoming eligible for major indexes such as the Nasdaq-100 or S&P 500.
Inclusion in a major index can significantly broaden a company’s shareholder base because many institutional investors purchase shares through index-tracking funds.
According to Reuters, Nasdaq’s proposed fast-track rule is partly intended to attract highly valued private companies such as SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic to list on the exchange.
Elon Musk
The Boring Company’s Prufrock-2 emerges after completing new Vegas Loop tunnel
The new tunnel measures 2.28 miles, making it the company’s longest single Vegas Loop tunnel to date.
The Boring Company announced that its Prufrock-2 tunnel boring machine (TBM) has completed another Vegas Loop tunnel in Las Vegas. The company shared the update in a post on social media platform X.
According to The Boring Company’s post, the new tunnel measures 2.28 miles, making it the company’s longest single Vegas Loop tunnel to date.
The new tunnel marks the fourth tunnel constructed near Westgate Las Vegas as the Vegas Loop network continues expanding across the city.
The Boring Company also noted that the new tunnel surpassed its previous internal record of 2.26 miles for a single Vegas Loop segment.
Construction of the tunnel involved moving roughly 68,000 cubic yards of dirt. The excavation process also used about 4.8 miles of continuous conveyor belt, powered by six motors totaling 825 horsepower.
The Boring Company’s Prufrock-series all-electric tunnel boring machines are designed to support the rapid expansion of company’s underground transportation projects, including the growing Vegas Loop network. Prufrock machines are designed for reusability, thanks in no small part to their capability to be deployed and retrieved easily through their “porposing” feature.
The Vegas Loop, specifically the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) Loop segment, has already been used during major events. Most recently, the LVCC Loop supported the 2026 CONEXPO-CON/AGG construction trade show, which was held from March 3-7, 2026.
As per The Boring Company, the LVCC Loop transported roughly 82,000 passengers across the convention center campus during the event’s duration.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG is one of the largest construction trade shows in North America, drawing more than 140,000 construction professionals from 128 countries this year.
The LVCC Loop forms the initial segment of the broader Vegas Loop network, which remains under active development as The Boring Company continues building new tunnels throughout the city.
News
Tesla gathers Cybercab fleet in Gigafactory Texas
Images and video of the Cybercab fleet were shared by longtime Giga Texas observer Joe Tegtmeyer in posts on social media platform X.
Tesla appears to be assembling a growing number of Cybercabs at Gigafactory Texas as preparations continue for the vehicle’s mass production. Recent footage shared online has shown over 30 Cybercabs being transported by trucks or staged near testing areas at the facility.
The images and video were shared by longtime Giga Texas observer and drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer in posts on social media platform X.
Interestingly enough, Tegtmeyer noted that many of the Cybercabs being loaded onto transport trucks were still equipped with steering wheels. This suggests that the vehicles are likely testing units rather than the final driverless configuration expected for the company’s Robotaxi service.
The vehicles could potentially be headed to testing sites across the United States as Tesla prepares to expand its Robotaxi fleet.
Additional footage captured at Gigafactory Texas also showed the Cybercab’s side and rear camera washer system operating as vehicles were being loaded onto transport trucks.
The growing number of Cybercabs at Giga Texas comes amidst the company’s announcement that the first production Cybercab has been produced at the facility. Full Cybercab production is expected to begin in April.
The vehicle is expected to play a central role in Tesla’s Robotaxi ambitions as the company looks to expand autonomous ride-hailing operations beyond its early deployments using Model Y vehicles.
Tesla has also linked Cybercab production to its proposed Unboxed manufacturing process, which assembles large vehicle modules separately before integrating them. The approach is intended to reduce production costs and accelerate output.
Musk has also noted that the Cybercab’s ramp will likely begin slowly due to the number of new components and manufacturing steps involved. However, he stated that once the process matures, Cybercab production could scale quickly.


