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Tesla Model S and Model X refresh official webpages hint at potential ‘megacast’ use

(Credit: Tesla)

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Recent updates to Tesla’s official Model S and Model X pages hint that the electric car maker may be poised to roll out some notable changes to the underbody of its flagship vehicles. Based on images that Tesla has shared online, it appears that the Model S and Model X refresh may very well be receiving the company’s now-iconic “megacast” on their rear underbody. 

Observations about the update were shared by the electric vehicle community on Twitter, with Tesla investor-enthusiast Eric Anderson noting that the Model S refresh’s webpage now features what seems like a megacast on the flagship sedan’s rear frame. As could be seen in the image below, the body of the Model S refresh on Tesla’s website today differs significantly compared to the Raven Model S depicted on the site prior to the Q4 FY 2020 Earnings Call. 

A comparison of the Model S’ frame in Tesla’s official website before and after the refresh. (Credit: Tesla)

Interestingly enough, hints of the megacast’s use in Tesla’s flagship vehicles do not seem to end with the Model S refresh. A look at the Model X refresh’s updated webpage also shows the flagship SUV’s rear underbody featuring a megacast-like component. With this in mind, it appears that Tesla has done some serious work on the bodies of its flagship vehicles, making them more cost-effective to produce and possibly even making their quality better. 

(Credit: Tesla)

Much of the information available for the Model S and Model X refresh are focused on the vehicles’ new interior and features, which are undoubtedly industry-leading in their own right. That being said, Tesla’s Q4 FY 2020 Update Letter did not just include references to updated battery modules, packs, and drive units for the two vehicles; the EV maker also hinted at “other improvements” that were done to the Model S and Model X. Perhaps some of these improvements include the use of larger casted parts. 

Granted, Tesla only has two IDRA Giga Press machines in the Fremont Factory that are capable of producing single-piece megacasts, and those are expected to be used for the Model Y. That being said, even a two-piece megacast setup, such as those used by the EV maker in the Model Y’s early builds, could be a game-changer for the Model S and Model X refresh. 

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Automotive expert Sandy Munro has noted that the use of megacasts such as those in the Model Y can usher in numerous improvements for Tesla, from production cost to build efficiencies. Munro also noted that megacasts could help Tesla improve its build quality, since lesser parts provide fewer areas where errors in the assembly process could occur. With this in mind, the apparent use of megacasts for the Model S and Model X refresh could herald a breed of flagship Teslas whose build quality matches their tech. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us for news tips. Just send a message to tips@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirms bullish view on Tesla after record Q3 deliveries

The firm reiterated its Overweight rating and $355 price target.

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(Credit: Tesla)

Cantor Fitzgerald is maintaining its bullish outlook on Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) following the company’s record-breaking third quarter of 2025. 

The firm reiterated its Overweight rating and $355 price target, citing strong delivery results driven by a rush of consumer purchases ahead of the end of the federal tax credit on September 30.

On Tesla’s vehicle deliveries in Q3 2025

During the third quarter of 2025, Tesla delivered a total of 497,099 vehicles, significantly beating analyst expectations of 443,079 vehicles. As per Cantor Fitzgerald, this was likely affected by customers rushing at the end of Q3 to purchase an EV due to the end of the federal tax credit, as noted in an Investing.com report. 

“On 10/2, TSLA pre-announced that it delivered 497,099 vehicles in 3Q25 (its highest quarterly delivery in company history), significantly above Company consensus of 443,079, and above 384,122 in 2Q25. This was due primarily to a ‘push forward effect’ from consumers who rushed to purchase or lease EVs ahead of the $7,500 EV tax credit expiring on 9/30,” the firm wrote in its note.

A bright spot in Tesla Energy

Cantor Fitzgerald also highlighted that while Tesla’s full-year production and deliveries would likely fall short of 2024’s 1.8 million total, Tesla’s energy storage business remains a bright spot in the company’s results.

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“Tesla also announced that it had deployed 12.5 GWh of energy storage products in 3Q25, its highest in company history vs. our estimate/Visible Alpha consensus of 11.5/10.9 GWh (and vs. ~6.9 GWh in 3Q24). Tesla’s Energy Storage has now deployed more products YTD than all of last year, which is encouraging. We expect Energy Storage revenue to surpass $12B this year, and to account for ~15% of total revenue,” the firm stated. 

Tesla’s strong Q3 results have helped lift its market capitalization to $1.47 trillion as of writing. The company also teased a new product reveal on X set for October 7, which the firm stated could serve as another near-term catalyst.

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Elon Musk’s xAI becomes Memphis’ 2nd largest taxpayer in just one year: report

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, is reshaping Memphis’s economic landscape.

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Credit: xAI

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, is reshaping Memphis’s economic landscape. In just twelve months, the company has become the city and county’s second largest taxpayer.

The update was related in a report from The Wall Street Journal.

Memphis’ second-largest taxpayer

xAI is currently transforming a defunct Mississippi power plant into a crucial hub for AI, supplying electricity to its Colossus supercomputer cluster and its successor, Colossus 2. Together, the Colossi supercomputers will host more than half a million Nvidia chips that would be used for the development and improvement of Grok, xAI’s large language model. 

The buildout has injected billions into the region, making xAI one of Memphis’s most significant private investors and a symbol of the city’s high-tech aspirations. Bill Dunavant III, a Memphis businessman who sits on the board of directors of the city’s chamber of commerce, highlighted xAI’s contribution to the city’s economy in a comment to the WSJ

“In one year, xAI has become the second largest taxpayer in the city and county after FedEx,” he said. A spokesman for the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce has also stated that xAI has demonstrated “substantial economic commitment to our region, without any tax incentives.”

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Not without controversy

Despite the economic boost, xAI’s footprint has drawn scrutiny. The company’s natural-gas-powered turbines are expected to consume a substantial amount of water and electricity. Critics have also expressed worries about pollution and increased utility costs, though others see Musk’s wastewater recycling plans and cleanup initiatives as meaningful offsets.

As per the WSJ, xAI’s positioning in the market may be quite different than what Musk is typically used to, considering that the CEO tends to become a first mover in key industries, such as the EV segment with Tesla and private spaceflight with SpaceX. With xAI, however, he is catching up to competitors, the most notable of which is a company he co-founded, OpenAI, and its ubiquitous large language model, ChatGPT.

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Tesla all but confirms that affordable Model Y is coming Tuesday

It does appear that October 7 would be the date when the world sees Tesla’s actual idea of what an affordable vehicle would be like.

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Tesla has released a cryptic teaser of a product that would be announced on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Based on the company’s hint, it does appear that the product would be the affordable Model Y that has been spotted doing road tests across the country over the past months.

Affordable Model Y sightings

Last week, news emerged that a number of key Tesla influencers visited Gigafactory Texas for a private event. These included veteran Tesla YouTubers, car reviewers, influencers on X, and even a teardown expert who provided the initial insights on how to improve the original Model 3 sedan. At the same time, an uncovered unit of the apparent affordable Model Y was posted online. The vehicle was reportedly sighted close to Giga Texas. 

The new Model Y variant had some notable changes from the standard Model Y. Its fascia seemed inspired by the Model 3 sedan instead of the Cybertruck, and its roof seemed blacked out. Overall, it looked like a simpler Model Y designed to be offered at an affordable price. 

The weekend teasers

Teasers about an upcoming product were posted by Tesla’s official account on social media platform X, though the electric vehicle maker made it a point to keep things very vague. Initially, a closeup video of what appeared to be an aero wheel was posted, though it was vague enough that some speculated that it could be Elon Musk’s long-announced HVAC system instead. 

On Sunday, another teaser video was posted featuring the headlights of a new car. This brought speculations that the new Roadster might finally be announced. Inasmuch as a new Roadster unveiling would be exciting, however, it was evident that the headlights in the new teaser were a match to the uncovered affordable Model Y unit that was spotted close to Giga Texas a few days ago. With this in mind, it does appear that October 7 would be the date when the world sees Tesla’s actual idea of what an affordable vehicle would be like.

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