Tesla Model 3
Tesla Gigafactory 3’s completion will be an inconvenient truth for TSLA skeptics
A recent drone flyover of Tesla’s Gigafactory 3 in China reveals that the factory shell of the upcoming electric car general assembly building is all but complete. Seemingly in relation to this milestone, Tesla has also started teasing the vehicle that will be produced in the expansive facility: the Standard Model 3, which will be competing against locally-made electric cars in China.
Videos of the Gigafactory 3 site taken on Sunday, May 26, 2019 (credit to Jason Yang for the footage), reveal that the shell of the general assembly building is all but complete. Roofs and walls look almost complete, and the facade of the facility has even been lined with Tesla’s trademark red color. Fewer heavy cranes are also currently deployed on the site, suggesting that work is now shifting towards the interior of Gigafactory 3.
Near the general assembly building, color-coded modular units have been built. Tesla has not announced what these units are, though their construction and design suggest that they might be dormitories, possibly for employees who will be working on the factory. A wide staging area has also been completed near the facility, which seems to be designed for presentations and events.
Gigafactory 3’s progress and eventual Model 3 production could provide Tesla with an unexpected boost this year. So far, Wall St. analysts, particularly those who have downgraded the stock, and TSLA skeptics have largely disregarded Gigafactory 3 in their thesis. If Tesla pulls it off and actually starts producing the Model 3 in Gigafactory 3 this year, the facility could provide the company the help it needs to meet its ambitious, self-imposed production and delivery goals this year. Underestimated and ignored by the company’s skeptics over the past months, Gigafactory 3 could very well become an inconvenient truth for Tesla’s critics.
The upcoming completion of Gigafactory 3 means that Tesla is a step closer towards its goal of producing locally-made Model 3s in China. Tesla is already selling the Model 3 in the country, but the vehicles command a high price due to import tariffs. Producing electric cars in Gigafactory 3 will allow Tesla to tap into the lucrative and ever-growing Chinese EV market with vehicles that are competitive in price compared to offerings from local manufacturers.
Shanghai officials have urged Tesla’s construction partner to complete the first phase of Gigafactory 3’s construction within May, and looking at the pace of the factory’s buildout so far, this target appears to be quite feasible. Seemingly in conjunction with this, Tesla has also released a couple of teasers pointing to an important announcement on May 31. A recent teaser released on Tuesday involved the company introducing a guessing game for the price of locally-made Model 3. This all but suggests that the company’s announcement this Friday would be in one way or another related to Gigafactory 3 and the electric sedan.
The pace of Gigafactory 3’s buildout has bordered on the ridiculous, with China’s workforce adopting a 24/7 schedule in its attempt to meet the Shanghai government’s target completion date. The facility’s construction is progressing so quickly; it is on track to set a record for the fastest factory buildout in China to date. Gigafactory 3, after all, only broke ground last January, and the first pillar was set up in mid-March. This means that over the span of two and a half months, Gigafactory 3 has transformed from leveled ground and one pillar to a nearly complete factory shell.
Watch Gigafactory 3’s flyover last Sunday in the video below.
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Tesla dominates JD Power EV Satisfaction ranking, grabbing top two spots
The Model 3 was the highest ranking EV considered, with a score of 804, followed by the Model Y at 797, the BMW i4 at 795, and the BMW iX at 794.
Tesla dominated JD Power’s EV Owner Satisfaction ranking for 2026, grabbing the top two spots in the survey with the Model 3 and Model Y.
The two Tesla models grabbed the first and second spots, respectively, with scores of 804 and 797 out of 1,000 possible points.
Brent Gruber, Executive Director of JD Power’s EV practice, said:
“EV market share has declined sharply following the discontinuation of the federal tax credit program in September 2025, but that dip belies steadily growing customer satisfaction among owners of new EVs. Improvements in battery technology, charging infrastructure, and overall vehicle performance have driven customer satisfaction to its highest level ever. What’s more, the vast majority of current EV owners say they will consider purchasing another EV for their next vehicle, regardless of whether they benefited from the now-expired federal tax credit.”
JD Power’s study showed three key findings: Public charging satisfaction was higher than ever, premium BEVs saw more pronounced quality improvements, and BEVs held their satisfaction ratings compared to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Tesla Grabs Top 2 Spots
Despite what some publications might try to make you believe, Tesla is still the cream of the crop when it comes to EV ownership, and real-world owners surveyed by JD Power will prove that to you.
The Model 3 was the highest ranking EV considered, with a score of 804, followed by the Model Y at 797, the BMW i4 at 795, and the BMW iX at 794. The segment average for “Premium Battery Electric Vehicles” was 786. The Cadillac OPTIQ (762), Rivian R1S (758), Lucid Air (740), Rivian R1T (739), and Audi Q6 e-Tron (690) all finished below that threshold.
Meanwhile, a separate category for “Mass Market Battery Electric Vehicles” had the Ford Mustang Mach-E as the EV with the highest rating at 760. The segment average for this class was 727.
🚨 Tesla topped J.D. Power’s new EV Owner Satisfaction Study for 2026, with the Model 3 (804) and Model Y (797) being the top-rated vehicles, beating out the BMW i4 (795) and iX (794)
Additionally, Tesla Superchargers helped public charging satisfaction rise to new highs:
“The… pic.twitter.com/4WIxoDxHig
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) February 19, 2026
Tesla Supercharging Improves Public Charging Satisfaction
JD Power said the availability of public charging is “by far the most improved index factor,” and that the consistent growth of publicly available charging has helped push many consumer sentiments in a positive direction.
Most of this is due to the Tesla Supercharger Network and its expansion. However, Tesla owners are also becoming more satisfied with the infrastructure after expanding access to other EV brands, the study said.
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Tesla Model 3 wins Edmunds’ Best EV of 2026 award
The publication rated the Model 3 at an 8.1 out of 10, and with its most recent upgrades and changes, Edmunds says, “This is the best Model 3 yet.”
The Tesla Model 3 has won Edmunds‘ Top Rated Electric Car of 2026 award, beating out several other highly-rated and exceptional EV offerings from various manufacturers.
This is the second consecutive year the Model 3 beat out other cars like the Model Y, Audi A6 Sportback E-tron, and the BMW i5.
The car, which is Tesla’s second-best-selling vehicle behind the popular Model Y crossover, has been in the company’s lineup for nearly a decade. It offers essentially everything consumers could want from an EV, including range, a quality interior, performance, and Tesla’s Full Self-Driving suite, which is one of the best in the world.
The Tesla Model 3 has won Edmunds Top EV of 2026:
“The Tesla Model 3 might be the best value electric car you can buy, combining an Edmunds Rating of 8.1 out of 10, a starting price of $43,880, and an Edmunds-tested range of 338 miles. This is the best Model 3 yet. It is… pic.twitter.com/ARFh24nnDX
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) February 18, 2026
The publication rated the Model 3 at an 8.1 out of 10, and with its most recent upgrades and changes, Edmunds says, “This is the best Model 3 yet.”
In its Top Rated EVs piece on its website, it said about the Model 3:
“The Tesla Model 3 might be the best value electric car you can buy, combining an Edmunds Rating of 8.1 out of 10, a starting price of $43,880, and an Edmunds-tested range of 338 miles. This is the best Model 3 yet. It is impressively well-rounded thanks to improved build quality, ride comfort, and a compelling combination of efficiency, performance, and value.”
Additionally, Jonathan Elfalan, Edmunds’ Director of Vehicle Testing, said:
“The Model 3 offers just about the perfect combination of everything — speed, range, comfort, space, tech, accessibility, and convenience. It’s a no-brainer if you want a sensible EV.”
The Model 3 is the perfect balance of performance and practicality. With the numerous advantages that an EV offers, the Model 3 also comes in at an affordable $36,990 for its Rear-Wheel Drive trim level.
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Tesla launches new Model 3 financing deal with awesome savings
Tesla is now offering a 0.99% APR financing option for all new Model 3 orders in the United States, and it applies to all loan terms of up to 72 months.
Tesla has launched a new Model 3 financing deal in the United States that brings awesome savings. The deal looks to move more of the company’s mass-market sedan as it is the second-most popular vehicle Tesla offers, behind its sibling, the Model Y.
Tesla is now offering a 0.99% APR financing option for all new Model 3 orders in the United States, and it applies to all loan terms of up to 72 months.
It includes three Model 3 configurations, including the Model 3 Performance. The rate applies to:
- Model 3 Premium Rear-Wheel-Drive
- Model 3 Premium All-Wheel-Drive
- Model 3 Performance
The previous APR offer was 2.99%.
NEWS: Tesla has introduced 0.99% APR financing for all new Model 3 orders in the U.S. (applies to loan terms of up to 72 months).
This includes:
• Model 3 RWD
• Model 3 Premium RWD
• Model 3 Premium AWD
• Model 3 PerformanceTesla was previously offering 2.99% APR. pic.twitter.com/A1ZS25C9gM
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) February 15, 2026
Tesla routinely utilizes low-interest offers to help move vehicles, especially as the rates can help get people to payments that are more comfortable with their monthly budgets. Along with other savings, like those on maintenance and gas, this is another way Tesla pushes savings to customers.
The company had offered a similar program in China on the Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, but it had ended on January 31.
The Model 3 was the second-best-selling electric vehicle in the United States in 2025, trailing only the Model Y. According to automotive data provided by Cox, Tesla sold 192,440 units last year of the all-electric sedan. The Model Y sold 357,528 units.
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