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Tesla’s new Tilburg site hints at new storage and parts center ahead of Model 3 EU push

[Credit: Hans Noordsij/Twitter]

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Tesla appears to be expanding its activities in Tilburg, Netherlands, as the company has acquired a third major facility in the region. The yet-to-be announced complex spans 387,500 square feet (36,000 square meters) and is located at Vossenbergseweg, close to Tesla’s assembly plant and delivery center.

The electric car maker’s activities were initially shared online by Tesla owner-enthusiast Hans Noordsij, who noted that he was tipped off about the facility recently. Tesla has so far been tight-lipped about the purpose of the new site, with local news publication AD.nl reportedly being unable to get information about the new facility from the electric car maker. In a statement to Teslarati, Hans noted that when he inquired about the new site during a service appointment for his Model S, Tesla’s staff at the service center also declined to confirm the purpose of the facility.

Tesla’s new Tilburg, NL site. [Credit: Hans Noordsij/Twitter]

While the nature of the new site remains unannounced, there seems to be a good chance that the 387,500-square-foot facility would be utilized to prepare for the likely influx of vehicles to the region resulting from the upcoming Model 3 push. Considering that Tesla has an assembly and delivery plant, as well as a sales and service center, in Tilburg, the new facility could serve as a location where parts for vehicles would be stored and distributed. Hans, for his part, noted that Tesla already adopts this strategy today, but on a far smaller scale.

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As more electric cars saturate the NL and nearby areas, the company would need a stronger service system that can cater to the growing fleet. This is particularly true with regards to the impending arrival of the Model 3, which is expected to begin deliveries in the region sometime next year. Having a dedicated site for electric car parts distribution would ultimately help Tesla in its push to improve the ramp of its in-house service centers, which are capable of addressing repairs in short periods of time. 

In some regions such as Norway, after all, Tesla is currently struggling to expand its service facilities, resulting in some electric car owners experiencing long wait times before even minor repairs are addressed. Elon Musk personally addressed this on Twitter last July, stating that owners are “right to be upset with Tesla” considering the company’s incapability to have vehicles repaired in a timely manner.

Tesla’s third Tilburg, NL site could play a vital role in the upcoming Model 3 push in the region. 

If Tesla’s initiatives in the United States are any indication, though, the company appears to have found a solution to drastically reduce the waiting times for vehicle repairs. Through the use of in-house service centers, Tesla is now starting to attain shorter turnaround times for vehicles’ service and repairs. One such instance was shared earlier this month by the owners of the LikeTesla YouTube channel, whose Model 3 was involved in an accident. Utilizing an in-house service center, the Model 3 owners were able to get their electric sedan fully repaired — complete with a new bumper, a new headlight, a new front fender — in just 25 hours.

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Tesla does not intend to stop there. In an update on Twitter last August, Elon Musk noted that Tesla is aiming to achieve same-day body repairs using pre-stocked parts at service centers. With this in mind, Tesla’s new Tilburg facility could be a sign that quicker turnaround times for vehicle repairs in the region could be just around the corner. 

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 Full Self-Driving expansion in Europe continues with new addition

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) has taken yet another significant step forward in Europe. On May 29, Estonia became the third European Union country to approve the advanced driver-assistance technology, following approvals in the Netherlands and Lithuania.

Tesla Europe announced the news on X, confirming the expansion has continued across the continent that, at one time, seemed to be taking its sweet old time giving any approval to the FSD suite.

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Estonia’s Transport Administration (Transpordiamet) granted the approval by recognizing the type certification issued by the Dutch vehicle authority RDW. This mutual recognition mechanism, enabled by EU regulations, allows other member states to fast-track deployment without repeating extensive local testing.

The Estonian authority noted that Tesla’s FSD had undergone rigorous evaluation on European roads for approximately 18 months before the initial Dutch approval in April 2026.

FSD Supervised remains classified as a Level 2 advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS). Drivers must maintain full attention, keep their hands on the wheel, and stay ready to intervene at any moment.

The system assists with tasks such as automatic lane changes, navigation through city streets, and responding to traffic objects, but it does not constitute full autonomy. Estonian officials emphasized this distinction, underscoring that safety responsibility lies entirely with the driver.

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The rapid progression across the Baltic region highlights Tesla’s strategic approach to European expansion. The Netherlands provided the foundational type approval in April, unlocking doors for neighboring countries.

Lithuania followed swiftly in mid-May, with rollout beginning shortly thereafter. Estonia’s decision, coming just days later, demonstrates how smaller, digitally progressive nations are accelerating adoption.

Tesla owners in Estonia can expect an over-the-air software update in the coming weeks, bringing the latest FSD capabilities to compatible vehicles

This expansion builds on Tesla’s global momentum. FSD Supervised is now available in 11 countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Korea. In Europe, the approvals signal growing regulatory confidence in Tesla’s vision-based AI approach, which relies on cameras and neural networks rather than lidar or radar-heavy alternatives used by some competitors.

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For Tesla, these European milestones are more than symbolic. They validate years of data collection and software iteration while opening new revenue streams through FSD subscriptions and purchases.

As the company continues refining its AI models with real-world miles from diverse driving environments, including Estonia’s variable winter conditions, the dataset grows richer, potentially benefiting global users.

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Elon Musk strikes down reports on SpaceX IPO rumors

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Credit: Grok

Elon Musk has firmly denied recent media reports suggesting that SpaceX has reduced its target valuation for an upcoming initial public offering.

The denial came directly from the SpaceX and Tesla frontman on his social media platform X, where he responded with a single word, “False,” to a post from ZeroHedge that cited Bloomberg sources.

This swift rebuttal underscores Musk’s ongoing effort to manage speculation surrounding one of the most anticipated market debuts in recent history.

According to the disputed reports, SpaceX had lowered its IPO valuation goal to at least $1.8 trillion from previous ambitions exceeding $2 trillion.

The claims emerged amid growing anticipation for the company’s confidential S-1 filing, which positions it for a potential public listing as early as June.

Some had pointed to strong revenue growth, particularly from the Starlink satellite internet service, which contributed heavily to the firm’s 2025 figures of $18.7 billion. Yet challenges persist in other areas, including substantial investments and losses tied to ambitious projects like Starship development and artificial intelligence initiatives, which plan to make life multiplanetary eventually.

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Musk’s response highlights a pattern in which he actively counters what he views as inaccurate portrayals of his companies’ trajectories.

SpaceX, already valued privately at extraordinary levels, stands as a cornerstone of Musk’s empire alongside Tesla and xAI. The entrepreneur has long emphasized the transformative potential of reusable rockets and global broadband access, factors that fuel investor enthusiasm despite operational hurdles.

By rejecting the valuation downgrade narrative, Musk signals confidence in SpaceX’s fundamentals and its readiness for public markets on terms favorable to its long-term vision. People have been waiting a very long time to invest in SpaceX, and the valuation, as well as the introductory share price, is not going to need adjusting.

They’ll have plenty of suitors.

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SpaceX just filed for the IPO everyone was waiting for

This episode reflects broader dynamics in the technology sector, where rumors often swirl around high-profile entities. Musk’s direct engagement with media narratives serves to maintain transparency and control the narrative around his ventures.

As SpaceX prepares for greater scrutiny in public markets, the founder’s denial reinforces optimism about its prospects. Supporters argue that the company’s innovative edge positions it for enduring success, far beyond short-term valuation debates. With the denial now public, attention turns to forthcoming regulatory filings that could provide clearer insights into SpaceX’s strategy and financial health.

The coming weeks promise to reveal more about how SpaceX will transition into a publicly traded powerhouse.

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Tesla’s Robotaxi dreams just took a massive step toward reality

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla’s dreams of operating a fully autonomous ride-hailing platform just took a massive step toward reality, as two separate events have indicated the company is perhaps closer than ever to achieving self-driving as a product.

On Thursday, Tesla was granted authorization by the State of Texas to operate driverless vehicles in a commercial manner. On May 28, Senate Bill 2807, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature, took effect after being passed back on September 1, 2025.

The bill establishes a statewide regulatory framework requiring authorization from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for companies to operate automated vehicles commercially on Texas roads.

This covers driverless, or SAE Level 4+, operations for passenger transport, meaning Robotaxi, or freight.

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Tesla and other companies can self-certify their vehicles and tech as long as they:

  • Operate in compliance with Texas traffic laws
  • Maintain proper registration, title, and insurance
  • Use compliant automated driving systems
  • Record onboard activity and handle system failures and glitches safely.

The new authorization, which was first reported by James Stephenson on X, allows companies to utilize their own processes to determine if their vehicles are ready to operate without drivers.

It is a rule that expedites the entire approval process, keeping agencies out of a usually long, lengthy, and frustrating task that is essential to technological advancements. It essentially means Tesla can launch commercial Robotaxi operations at this point.

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On the very same day, Tesla continued the momentum as CEO Elon Musk shared a video of Cybercab units autonomously driving off the property at Gigafactory Texas. This is a major step in the story of the Cybercab.

Mass production of the Cybercab started at Giga Texas in April, and it is already heading out of the factory on its own.

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These two major events mark a drastic step forward in Tesla’s progress toward Cybercab and the permissions it needs to operate a self-driving ride-hailing service. Tesla is now able to operate autonomously under Texas law by self-certifying, and with the potentially imminent rollout of Cybercab, Tesla’s autonomous dreams are starting to take serious shape.

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