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Tesla Model 3 claims top spot in February global EV sales, Model Y takes third
Tesla took two of three podium spots in February’s Global Electric Vehicle Sales rankings, with the Model 3 taking the top position. The Model Y captured third for the first time, further establishing Tesla’s dominance in the global EV market.
With 270,000 EVs being registered in February globally, it was a 136% jump compared to January 2021. The EV sector continues to grow in large figures at an accelerating pace, meaning manufacturers who are taking part in the large-scale shift to electrification continue to be rewarded for their efforts. Tesla has established itself as the global leader in electric vehicles so far in the short but storied history of battery-powered powertrains, and February’s sales figures across the world show the Model 3 continues to be Tesla’s golden goose, accounting for a large percentage of its sales.
(Credit: nickyp3d via Instagram)
The EV Sales Blog says the Model 3 was registered 28,014 times in February, beating the Wuling HongGuang Mini EV by just under 8,000 units. The HongGuang Mini EV has been a thorn in the side of the Model 3’s dominance in China, but it is difficult to compare the two vehicles as they are vastly different. While the Model 3 sits at a relatively average price point for the global automotive market between $37,990 for the Standard Range Plus and $55,990 for its premier Performance version, the HongGuang Mini EV sits at a significantly lower price point. While that sounds like a great deal, consumers will not experience the range ratings, the performance, or the features that Tesla has to offer in the HongGuang Mini EV. At a price of just $4,400, customers will get just over 110 miles of range with every charge. Still, they won’t get standard features like air conditioning, which will increase the automobile’s cost by varying amounts depending on the addition. A/C will add $500 to the price.
The Model 3 has been Tesla’s most popular vehicle in recent years thanks to the car’s mass-market production push, the tasty and affordable price, and the wide array of advantages the vehicle holds over gas-powered cars. Tesla has given itself a reputation for building quality, high-performance vehicles, and consumers seem to agree based on the recent figures.
Credit: EV Sales Blog
Meanwhile, Tesla’s rollout of the Model Y last year has increased the automaker’s ever-growing footprint. The Model Y captured 13,971 sales in February, becoming a “rising star” in the EV Sales Blog’s eyes. The Model Y may overtake the Model 3 in popularity in the coming years, and Tesla expects this to happen. Numerous executives, including Elon Musk, have said the Model Y will be Tesla’s best-selling vehicle in the coming years. “I’ve actually recently driven the Model Y release candidate, and I think it’s going to be an amazing product and be very well received,” Musk said during the Q3 2019 Earnings Call. “I think it’s quite likely to — this is just my opinion, but I think it will outsell S, X, and 3, combined.”
One other notable vehicle on the list was the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Although it fell just short of the Top 5 for February, it only missed the mark by 77 units. In its first full month on the market, it instantly became the best-selling model from a legacy car company, giving large car companies who have struggled with EV adoption a glimmer of hope moving forward.
Cybertruck
Tesla’s new Cybertruck trim gets the axe less than 24 hours after launch
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’s new Cybertruck trim gets the axe less than 24 hours after launch
Elon Musk’s Neuralink sparks BCI race in China
