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Tesla’s next-gen Roadster has a surprisingly spacious trunk

(Photo: Philipp Sicking)

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When Elon Musk unveiled the next-generation Tesla Roadster, he remarked that the vehicle will have “tons of storage.” Musk noted that the all-electric supercar would have enough room to transport luggage and up to four people, thanks to its 2+2 seating configuration. Based on an image of the next-gen Roadster’s rear storage area that was recently shared online, it appears that the Tesla CEO’s descriptions are quite accurate.

Tesla brought over the next-gen Roadster prototype on its Autonomy Day event, which was held last week. Attendees of the event were able to get up close and personal with the all-electric supercar, with one investor even sharing footage of the vehicle’s unique finger swipe door lock system. Tesla enthusiast Philipp Sicking, who was also at the event, was able to get a clear image of the all-electric supercar’s rear storage area.

https://twitter.com/AnythingTesla/status/1122550147517255680

Immediately noticeable from the next-gen Roadster’s trunk is its size. While seemingly shallow, the space at the vehicle’s rear seems to be enough to fit a couple of small suitcases or traveling bags. The rear seats of the Roadster also appear to be designed to fold down when needed, which could give the all-electric supercar even more cargo space. The space on the Roadster’s trunk seems to be comparable to that of the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, a rear-wheel-drive grand tourer notable for its sizable rear cargo area.

Supercars are known for their notoriously small cargo spaces, mainly due to their usual mid-engine construction. Some companies such as Lamborghini have learned to maximize the available areas under the hood for storage, as could be seen in the reasonably decent frunks of vehicles like the Aventador and the Huracan. Nevertheless, some of the world’s best hypercars have barely any storage space. This is perfectly highlighted by the Ferrari LaFerrari, a hypercar whose frunk is so small; it literally cannot fit a GoPro camera.

Every single vehicle that Tesla designed from the ground up has proven to be disruptive in their own right. From the Model S to the Model 3, Tesla has pretty much operated outside the box when it comes to the design and utility of its vehicles. The next-gen Roadster appears to be no different, as it is a supercar with enough performance to give a “hardcore smackdown to gasoline cars,” all while retaining the utility of a grand tourer. This, of course, blends perfectly with the Roadster’s borderline insane range of over 1,000 km per charge. Taken together, the Roadster’s decent trunk and its incredibly long range can give owners the opportunity to enjoy long road trips without scrimping on luggage.

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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 rolls out most aggressive Model Y lease deal in the US yet

With the promotion in place, customers would be able to take home a Model Y at a very low cost.

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(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla has rolled out what could very well be its most aggressive promotion for Model Y leases in the United States yet. With the promotion in place, customers would be able to take home a Model Y at a very low cost.

Zero downpayment leases

The new Model Y lease promotion was initially reported on X, with industry watcher Sawyer Merritt stating that while the vehicles’ monthly payments are still similar to before, the cars can now be ordered with a $0 downpayment. 

Tesla community members noted that this promotion would cut the full payment cost of Model Y leases by several thousand dollars, though prices were still a bit better when the $7,500 federal tax credit was still in effect. Despite this, a $0 downpayment would likely be appreciated by customers, as it lowers the entry point to the Tesla ecosystem by a notable margin.

Premium freebies included

Apart from a $0 downpayment, customers of Model Y leases are also provided one free upgrade for their vehicles. These upgrades could be premium paint, such as Pearl White Multi-Coat, Deep Blue Metallic, Diamond Black, Quicksilver or Ultra Red, or 20″ Helix 2.0 Wheels. Customers could also opt for a White Interior or a Tow Hitch free of charge.

A look at Tesla’s Model Y order page shows that the promotion is available for all the Model Y Premium Rear-Wheel Drive and the Model Y Premium All-Wheel Drive. The Model Y Standard and the Model Y Performance are not eligible for the $0 downpayment or free premium upgrade promotion as of writing. 

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Tesla is looking to phase out China-made parts at US factories: report

Tesla has reportedly swapped out several China-made components already, aiming to complete the transition within the next two years.

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(Source: Tesla)

Tesla has reportedly started directing its suppliers to eliminate China-made components from vehicles built in the United States. This would make Tesla’s US-produced vehicles even more American-made.

The update was initially reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Accelerating North American sourcing

As per the WSJ report, the shift reportedly came amidst escalating tariff uncertainties between Washington and Beijing. Citing people reportedly familiar with the matter, the publication claimed that Tesla has already swapped out several China-made components, aiming to complete the transition within the next two years. The publication also claimed that Tesla has been reducing its reliance on China-based suppliers since the pandemic disrupted supply chains.

The company has quietly increased North American sourcing over the past two years as tariff concerns have intensified. If accurate, Tesla would likely end up with vehicles that are even more locally sourced than they are today. It would remain to be seen, however, if a change in suppliers for its US-made vehicles would result in price adjustments for cars like the Model 3 and Model Y.

Industry-wide reassessments

Tesla is not alone in reevaluating its dependence on China. Auto executives across the automotive industry have been in rapid-response mode amid shifting trade policies, chip supply anxiety, and concerns over rare-earth materials. Fluctuating tariffs between the United States and China during President Donald Trump’s current term have made pricing strategies quite unpredictable as well, as noted in a Reuters report. 

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General Motors this week issued a similar directive to thousands of suppliers, instructing them to remove China-origin components from their supply chains. The same is true for Stellantis, which also announced earlier this year that it was implementing several strategies to avoid tariffs that were placed by the Trump administration. 

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Tesla owners propose interesting theory about Apple CarPlay and EV tax credit

“100%. It’s needed for sales because for many prospective buyers, CarPlay is a nonnegotiable must-have. If they knew how good the Tesla UI is, they wouldn’t think they need CarPlay,” one owner said.

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Credit: Tesla Raj/YouTube

Tesla is reportedly bracing for the integration of Apple’s well-known iOS automotive platform, CarPlay, into its vehicles after the company had avoided it for years.

However, now that it’s here, owners are more than clear that they do not want it, and they have their theories about why it’s on its way. Some believe it might have to do with the EV tax credit, or rather, the loss of it.

Owners are more interested in why Tesla is doing this now, especially considering that so many have been outspoken about the fact that they would not use it in favor of the company’s user interface (UI), which is extremely well done.

After Bloomberg reported that Tesla was working on Apple CarPlay integration, the reactions immediately started pouring in. From my perspective, having used both Apple CarPlay in two previous vehicles and going to Tesla’s in-house UI in my Model Y, both platforms definitely have their advantages.

However, Tesla’s UI just works with its vehicles, as it is intuitive and well-engineered for its cars specifically. Apple CarPlay was always good, but it was buggy at times, which could be attributed to the vehicle and not the software, and not as user-friendly, but that is subjective.

Nevertheless, upon the release of Bloomberg’s report, people immediately challenged the need for it:

Some fans proposed an interesting point: What if Tesla is using CarPlay as a counter to losing the $7,500 EV tax credit? Perhaps it is an interesting way to attract customers who have not owned a Tesla before but are more interested in having a vehicle equipped with CarPlay?

“100%. It’s needed for sales because for many prospective buyers, CarPlay is a nonnegotiable must-have. If they knew how good the Tesla UI is, they wouldn’t think they need CarPlay,” one owner said.

Tesla has made a handful of moves to attract people to its cars after losing the tax credit. This could be a small but potentially mighty strategy that will pull some carbuyers to Tesla, especially now that the Apple CarPlay box is checked.

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