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Tesla Model 3 will dominate Germany’s e-car market in 2019, says industry expert

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With the major challenges in the production of the Model 3 behind the company, Tesla is poised to start delivering the electric sedan to other countries. Among these is Germany, which is expected to begin receiving deliveries of the Model 3 this coming February. These first deliveries, according to a German automotive industry expert, would likely usher in what could very well be the year of Tesla, where the California-based carmaker end up dominating Germany’s e-car market.

In a recent analysis, auto veteran and founder of Germany’s Center of Automotive Research (CAR) at the University of Duisburg-Essen Ferdinand Dudenhöffer stated that 2019 would likely see a massive influx of electric vehicle registrations in the country. Dudenhöffer notes that a large part of these registrations will be due to the arrival of the Model 3, which he expects would help Tesla sell up to 20,000 electric vehicles per year in Germany.

“If it works with the production and an early sales start of Model 3 in Germany, for Tesla altogether up to 20,000 sales in this country in 2019 are possible,” the industry expert wrote in his study.

If Tesla does end up selling as many vehicles as Dudenhöffer expects in 2019, the electric car maker will become Germany’s most successful EV brand. While other EVs and electrified vehicles are available in the market, after all, no other car comes close to the estimated sales numbers of the Model 3. From January to October this year, for example, Dudenhöffer notes that Smart sold 7,030, Volkswagen sold 6,420, and Renault and BMW sold 5,150 green vehicles each. Tesla, which so far only sells the Model S sedan and the Model X SUV in Germany, sold 1,678 cars in the same period.

Dudenhöffer notes that the Model 3’s arrival in Germany will likely get a boost from upcoming, EV-friendly government regulations as well. Currently, employees who use their company cars privately are taxed 1% of the vehicle’s value. Starting January 1, 2019, company cars that are electric will receive half the tax. According to German publication Wirtschaftswoche, electric car drivers can save as much as 200 euros with the upcoming system in place.

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The Tesla Model 3 has become a force to be reckoned with in the American auto market. As the electric car maker hits its stride in the production of the Model 3, Tesla has begun an initiative to bring the vehicle abroad. Over the past months, Tesla has brought the Model 3 to several countries in Europe, as well as key markets in Asia such as China and Japan. With each stop in its worldwide tour, the Model 3 was received with much interest.

Local media reports from Europe indicate that Tesla is planning on shipping 3,000 Model 3 per week to the region starting February 2019. Belgian news agency Focus-WTV has noted that the vehicles would be arriving every week in the port of Zeebrugge, located on the coast of Belgium. The vehicles will reportedly be shipped through the services of transportation firm International Car Operators (ICO), which utilizes rapid RoRo (roll-on, roll-off) ships that are capable of loading and unloading cargo quickly.

A video reportedly featuring what could very well be one of the first large shipments of Model 3 sedans to Europe was shared by WTV to Teslarati. The clip, which was taken earlier this month and which features rows of covered electric sedans in ICO’s Zeebrugge site, could be viewed below.

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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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Elon Musk seemingly confirms Cybertruck gift to 13-year-old cancer fighter

Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, the teen has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12.

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed that he will be sending a Tesla Cybertruck to 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a 13-year-old Houston boy fighting brain cancer. The teen was recognized as an honorary Secret Service member by U.S. President Donald Trump during his address to Congress on Tuesday. 

A Chance Meeting

The Tesla CEO’s Cybertruck pledge was mentioned during DJ’s short interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. When Collins asked the 13-year-old what he told the Tesla CEO, DJ answered that he asked for a Cybertruck.

“I said, ‘can you do me a big favor, when you get back to Houston can you send us a Cybertruck down there?’” the cancer fighter stated.

Daniel noted that Musk responded positively to his request, which was highlighted by Collins in a post on X. Musk responded to the post with a heart emoji, suggesting that he really will be sending a Cybertruck to the 13-year-old cancer fighter.

Teen’s Cancer Battle Inspires

Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, Daniel has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12. During his speech, Trump highlighted the 13-year-old’s long battle with his disease. 

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“Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago. Since that time, DJ and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true,” Trump stated.

Daniels officially received an honorary badge from U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran, to much applause during the event.

Surprisingly Partisan

While Daniels’ story has been inspiring, Trump’s focus on the 13-year-old cancer fighter has received its own fair share of criticism. MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace, while referencing Daniels’ love for law enforcement, noted that she is hoping the 13-year-old never has to defend the U.S. capitol against Trump supporters. “If he does, I hope he isn’t one of the six who loses his life to suicide,” Wallace stated.

Anti-Musk and Trump accounts on X have also thrown jokes at the cancer fighter’s honorary badge, with some dubbing the 13-year-old as a “DEI hire” that should be looked into by DOGE.

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Arrest made after Tesla Salem site attacked with Molotov cocktails

The suspect faces a federal charge of illegally possessing an unregistered destructive device.

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Credit: Tesla Asia/X

A 41-year-old Salem man was arrested Tuesday for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at a Tesla store on January 20. Court documents indicated that the man’s attack caused around $500,000 in damages.

The suspect faces a federal charge of illegally possessing an unregistered destructive device, which were described as Molotov cocktails. Seven vehicles were damaged and one was destroyed in the attack on the Tesla location.

Fires Erupt at Tesla Store

At 3:45 a.m. on January 20, Salem Police responded to reports of Molotov cocktails being thrown at the Tesla store. Officers found a fire on the sidewalk and another in a parked vehicle’s rear. An eyewitness noted that someone thew five or six objects during the incident, as noted in a report from the Statesman Journal.

Suspect Caught on Camera

Surveillance footage showed the man throwing a “Molotov Cocktail-style device” at a truck, which bounced off without igniting. He also aimed an AR-15-style rifle at a witness who was driving away. The suspect hurled a rock through the Salem Tesla store’s window as well. 

A patrol car’s camera captured the suspect’s vehicle nearby, tying him to the scene. Surveillance video, fingerprints on glass bottles recovered at the scene, and a vehicle registered to the man led ultimately to his arrest.

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Tesla Vandalism Trend

Tesla stores across the United States and abroad have been the target of vandalism incidents as of late, thanks in part to CEO Elon Musk’s increasing involvement in politics and his close work with U.S. President Donald Trump. Interestingly enough, previous reports have indicated that the Salem Tesla store was also the victim of an attack last month, when gunfire shattered widows at the location.

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Tesla Model Y tops South Korea import sales in February 2025

The Tesla Model Y that performed well in South Korea last month was the Model Y classic, which is already being phased out.

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Credit: Tesla Asia/X

The Tesla Model Y led South Korea’s imported car market in February 2025 with 2,038 units sold, as per data from the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA). 

Total imported passenger car registrations in South Korea climbed 24.4% to 21,199 units from 16,237 a year ago. Tesla ranked third at 2,222 units, behind BMW (6,274) and Mercedes-Benz (4,663).

Model Y Classic Still A Strong Seller

The Model Y that performed well in South Korea last month was the Model Y classic variant, which Tesla is already phasing out. Its strong sales highlight Tesla’s strong presence in South Korea, where BMW beat Mercedes-Benz for the top brand spot last month.

Following the Tesla Model Y classic in the country’s import segment was the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the BMW 5 Series. Tesla’s overall 2,222 registrations for February trailed BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but they surpassed Lexus (1,337) and Volvo (1,046), as per a report from Viva100.

Import Fuel Mix

Hybrids led South Korea’s import registrations with 13,013 units (64.4%), followed by EVs at 3,757 (18.6%) and gasoline at 3,226 (16%). Diesel lagged at 203 units (1%). A look at these numbers suggests that the Tesla Model Y classic commanded the lion’s share of South Korea’s EV imports last month.

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What the KAIDA Vice Chairman says

KAIDA Vice Chairman Jeong Yoon-yeong issued a comment about the results:

“In February, new registrations of imported passenger vehicles increased compared to the previous month due to the registration of electric vehicles following the confirmation of electric vehicle subsidies and the new car effect of some brands,” the KAIDA executive noted.

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