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Tesla Model S refresh’s large side repeater cameras hint at intense FSD focus

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Just recently, a white Tesla Model S “refresh” vehicle was spotted in Carmel, CA. And while some aspects of the car like its center console and round steering wheel were eye-catching, the flagship sedan’s side repeaters were also noteworthy. This was because of their size, which looked noticeably larger than those used in previous iterations of the Model S. 

The images were shared online by Tesla enthusiast Nick George, who was able to take several shots of the refreshed Model S while it was parked. Thanks to this, the EV fan was able to get some of the clearest photos of the new Model S’s exterior and interior, including the vehicle’s steering wheel and ventilated seats. Some inner workings of the Model S’s HVAC system could also be seen.

The Tesla Model S refresh’s interior. (Credit: Nick George/Twitter)

However, what eventually stuck out in the new Model S photos was the size of the side repeaters in the refreshed vehicle. Compared to Tesla’s side repeaters in the outgoing “Raven” Model S, the side repeaters on the refreshed flagship sedan seemed larger. The reasons behind this remain unknown for now, of course, though speculations from the EV community suggest that the new side repeaters could give the Model S refresh a better view of the road. 

Tesla’s electric cars are equipped with a suite of cameras that serve multiple purposes, from security-based functions like Sentry Mode and TeslaCam to advanced driver-assist features like Navigate on Autopilot with automatic lane changes. With this in mind, the Model S refresh’s large side repeaters may very well be designed to optimize the vehicle’s Full Self-Driving functions. FSD, after all, is a crucial focus for Tesla today, especially amidst CEO Elon Musk’s aggressive timetables on the technology. 

The Model S refresh’s side repeaters compared to the side repeaters on a Raven Model S. (Credit: Nick George and @WIsitlike/Twitter)

One of Tesla’s main goals is to develop and roll out technology that could allow vehicles to drive themselves without human input. To accomplish this, the electric car maker is using data gathered from its ever-growing fleet. Tesla started releasing its FSD beta to a small group of testers late last year, and so far, the reception has been highly positive. With Elon Musk hinting at significant improvements that will be rolled out to the FSD beta in the near future, vehicles like the Model S refresh with its large side repeaters may very well be poised to blend well with the driver-assist software’s more advanced features. 

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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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Tesla Q2 2025 earnings: What Wall Street expects

The company has faced mounting pressure this year, with TSLA stock down 19% year-to-date.

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Credit: Tesla Asia/X

Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is set to release its second-quarter 2025 financial results after markets close on Wednesday, July 23. The company has faced mounting pressure this year, with TSLA stock down about 19% year-to-date. 

What Wall Street expects

As noted in a TipRanks report, Wall Street has remained cautious about the electric vehicle maker due to concerns about the EV segment in general, competition, reduced margins, federal EV regulations, and CEO Elon Musk’s political activities. 

Overall, Wall Street expects Tesla to post earnings per share of $0.39, down 25% from a year ago. Tesla’s revenue is forecasted to fall 13% to $22.19 billion, and analysts also expect the electric vehicle maker to post lower margins this quarter.

Analyst expectations

Tesla delivered approximately 384,120 vehicles in Q2, a 13.5% drop year-over-year, as per Main Street Data. The company also produced over 410,000 vehicles and deployed 9.6 GWh of energy storage products during the quarter. 

Ahead of the earnings call, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Andres Sheppard reiterated a Buy rating and a $335 per share price target. He also adjusted his Q2 revenue forecast to $21 billion, down from his previous estimate of $24.1 billion. Despite short-term softness, Sheppard maintained his 2025 and 2026 projections, citing confidence in Tesla’s high-margin Robotaxi business model.

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Barclays analyst Dan Levy kept a Hold rating with a $275 price target. He stated that the company faces “increasingly weaker fundamentals,” but he also suggested that Tesla’s Robotaxi story could drive optimism. Levy expects modest gross margin improvement quarter-over-quarter and flagged the full-year EPS estimate drop from $3.20 to $1.84. Delays in launching the affordable Tesla model remain a downside risk, Levy noted.

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Tesla expands FSD Transfer offer to Europe and the Middle East

Tesla’s FSD transfer offer has long been used as a quarterly sales lever in North America.

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Credit: Tesla Europe & Middle East/X

Tesla has extended its Full Self-Driving (FSD) transfer promotion beyond North America, opening the door for owners in Europe and the Middle East to carry over their existing FSD systems to a new vehicle. 

The move comes days after Elon Musk acknowledged a user’s request for FSD transfers in Europe on X, which the CEO called a “fair” ask. Tesla Europe later confirmed the offer via its official X account.

FSD transfers reaching new markets

FSD transfers have been used as a quarterly sales lever in North America, with its most recent availability in April 2025, as noted in a Not a Tesla App report. While this incentive had remained exclusive to the U.S. and Canada, Tesla’s latest announcement marks the first time the program has been rolled out internationally. 

Interestingly enough, the offer hasn’t yet been extended to other FSD-enabled regions like China. This suggests that Tesla may be prioritizing markets where regulatory approval for FSD remains pending. European Tesla owners, after all, have been waiting literal years for FSD to be rolled out into their countries. 

How the program works

The process for FSD transfers is straightforward. Existing Tesla owners with FSD must place a new vehicle order and complete delivery during the active promotion period. During checkout, customers are instructed not to add FSD to the new car. Instead, they must notify a Tesla advisor of their intent to transfer their existing vehicle’s FSD. 

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On delivery day, FSD will be deactivated on the old vehicle and activated on the new one. Customers are not required to trade in or sell their original Tesla that had FSD, though once the license is moved, the old vehicle reverts to just Basic Autopilot features.

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Tesla Q2 2025 vehicle safety report proves FSD makes driving almost 10X safer

Tesla released its most recent vehicle safety data on its official website.

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Credit: @BLKMDL3/X

Tesla has released its most recent vehicle safety report, reiterating the idea that Autopilot and systems like Full Self Driving (FSD) are really the company’s best safety features.

Tesla released its most recent vehicle safety data on its official website. 

Tesla’s Q2 2025 safety statistics

As per the electric vehicle maker’s Q2 2025 report, the company recorded one crash for every 6.69 million miles driven for vehicles that were using Autopilot technology. In comparison, data from the NHTSA and FHWA listed one automobile crash every 702,000 million miles.

“In the 2nd quarter, we recorded one crash for every 6.69 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology. For drivers who were not using Autopilot technology, we recorded one crash for every 963,000 miles driven. By comparison, the most recent data available from NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) shows that in the United States there was an automobile crash approximately every 702,000 miles,” Tesla wrote in its report.

FSD as a safety feature

Elon Musk has always maintained that FSD is the company’s biggest safety feature. This is no exaggeration, as the system allows vehicles to operate vehicles without human intervention. Tesla is currently proving this in Austin, where it operates the pilot program for its dedicated self-driving Robotaxi service. Customers who have used Tesla’s Robotaxi service in Austin have noted that the vehicles operate in a manner that is akin to a confident and cautious driver.

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An underrated advantage of Tesla’s FSD system is the fact that it does not get tired, nor does it ever operate the vehicle while intoxicated. It never gets distracted either. These advantages may seem minor, but they go a long way towards making Teslas the safest vehicles on the road today.

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