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Teslas become safer again with updated seatbelt functions in new update

(Credit: Tesla China)

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As part of a recent over-the-air software update, Tesla improved its vehicles’ safety and comfort by introducing improved seat belt and suspension enhancements.

Tesla drivers have long been fans of their vehicles’ capability to gain improvements through over-the-air (OTA) software updates. These often bring increased performance, new features, and sometimes even increased safety functions. This weekend was no different as Tesla introduced updates such as seat belt enhancements and suspension enhancements.

The seat belt enhancement is an update that uses the vehicle’s onboard cameras to detect when a crash is imminent to automatically tighten seatbelts in the cabin. This feature already existed in a limited capacity as Tesla’s seatbelts would tighten as airbags were deployed. However, this update now allows vehicles to act even more proactively to protect their occupants.

Tesla already benefits from a low center of gravity (making it hard to tip them over), a myriad of safety features much like this one, and (despite what some news outlets would argue) an increased level of safety due to a reduced number of combustible parts. These updates prove there is more that can be done to prevent automotive deaths, and Tesla is implementing changes to address these risks.

While the seatbelt enhancement applies to all vehicles, the suspension enhancement only applies to the Model S and Model X with adjustable air suspension. These vehicles will now, also through the use of the onboard cameras, be able to detect rough roads and potholes. Similar to the vehicle’s ability to detect debris on the road, this system uses the suspension to raise up the vehicle proactively to protect the body panels and occupants from being jarred when going over rough terrain.

Also included in this update is the Green Light Chime and the return of the Range at Destination feature. The green light chime simply alerts the driver when the traffic light they are waiting at has turned green, or when the vehicle in front has started to advance. The range at destination feature, while previously available on vehicles, returns to allow drivers to see how much battery they will have left when they reach their destination.

These updates mark the first 2022.20 series of updates that Tesla is releasing to vehicles and follow a long stream of 2022.16 updates that included everything from autopilot max speed increases to Driver Profiles to updated visualizations.

What do you think of the article? Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Shoot me an email at william@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @WilliamWritin. If you have news tips, email us at tips@teslarati.com!

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Will is an auto enthusiast, a gear head, and an EV enthusiast above all. From racing, to industry data, to the most advanced EV tech on earth, he now covers it at Teslarati.

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Tesla bull sees a new path to 600,000 deliveries per quarter

“We believe the launch of a lower cost model represents the first step to getting back to a ~500k quarterly delivery run-rate, which will be important to stimulate demand for its fleet with the EV tax credit expiring at the end of September.”

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) bull Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities published a new note to investors on Thursday evening, which seemed to open up the possibility of the automaker returning to a growth rate in terms of deliveries.

After nearly two years of leveling off with deliveries, which was expected, Tesla is now slated to potentially return to growth, Ives says, as it has introduced new, more affordable models. It launched its Standard offerings for the Model 3 and Model Y this week, a strategy to bring cheaper cars to customers amid the loss of the $7,500 tax credit.

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In his note to investors, Ives said:

“We believe the launch of a lower cost model represents the first step to getting back to a ~500k quarterly delivery run-rate, which will be important to stimulate demand for its fleet with the EV tax credit expiring at the end of September.”

Although these cars come in only slightly under $40,000, there is some belief that they will do two things: attract car buyers looking for an under-$40k EV with Tesla’s technology and infrastructure, or push those on the fence to the now-Premium models, which are simply the Long Range Rear-Wheel-Drive and Long Range All-Wheel-Drive.

Ives said in the note that Tesla’s plans for a $25,000 car are “on hold,” but it seems as if that vehicle will be the Cybercab, which the company unveiled a year ago today.

That project seems to be moving forward as well, based on what we saw at both Fremont and Gigafactory Texas yesterday. At Fremont, the Cybercab was spotted on the Test Track, while crash-tested units were spotted at the factory in Austin.

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After the Standard models were rolled out and the Cybercab or another $25,000 unit arrives, Ives believes Tesla could actually get closer to 600,000 deliveries per quarter, he said on CNBC this morning:

Moving forward, Tesla has much more going for it than its potential growth in quarterly deliveries. Ives recognizes that a majority of what Tesla’s value will come from in the future: AI and autonomy.

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Ives said:

“The AI valuation will start to get unlocked in the Tesla story and we believe the march to an AI driven valuation for TSLA over the next 6-9 months has now begun in our view with FSD and autonomous penetration of Tesla’s installed base and the acceleration of Cybercab in the US representing the golden goose for Musk & Co. We believe Tesla could reach a $2 trillion market cap early 2026 in a bull case scenario and $3 trillion by the end of 2026 as full scale volume production begins of the autonomous and robotics roadmap.”

Ives and Wedbush maintained their $600 price target and ‘Outperform’ rating on Tesla stock.

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The Tesla Model Y Standard is actually a great deal in Europe

A €10,000 delta could very well prove to be a meaningful difference for numerous consumers.

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Credit: Tesla

It’s no secret that the Model Y Standard proved polarizing to numerous Tesla watchers in the United States. At just a few thousand dollars less than the Model Y Premium, the entry-level variant seemed like a subpar deal considering all the features that are missing from the vehicle.

In Europe, however, the story might be different, and the Model Y Standard might actually end up being a pretty good deal for numerous car shoppers. 

Model Y Standard

Perhaps the biggest complaint against the Model Y Standard in the United States was its price. Listed at $39,990, it was only $5,000 less than the Model Y Premium Rear Wheel Drive (RWD), which starts at $44,990 before options. Considering the list of features and functions that are absent in the Model Y Standard, a good number of Tesla community members noted that the vehicle should have been priced lower, perhaps around $34,990, for it to truly be a good deal. 

Otherwise, the entry-level Model Y could end up following in the footsteps of the Cybertruck Rear Wheel Drive, which was priced just below $70,000, but was missing a long list of features that were included on the Cybertruck AWD. The Cybertruck RWD has since been discontinued, likely because of low orders. 

Different story in Europe

While the Model Y Standard may not make much sense in the United States, its pricing actually makes it a very good deal in Europe. A look at the order page for the Model Y in The Netherlands, for example, shows that the Model Y Standard is priced at €39,990 before options, €10,000 less than the Model Y Premium Rear Wheel Drive, which is priced at €50,990 before options. 

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As noted by Tesla watcher @KamermanMenno on social media platform X, a €10,000 delta is a meaningful difference for numerous consumers. Given the significant price difference, the Model Y Standard could become the ideal entry-level vehicle for drivers looking to join the Tesla ecosystem at the lowest possible cost. The fact that the Model Y Standard is a crossover SUV bodes well for the vehicle, given the segment’s popularity as well.

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Tesla Model Y L helps boost China wholesale numbers to 90,812 units in September

The month’s results represent the company’s best wholesale figures this year so far.

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Tesla China’s wholesale numbers bounced back in September after two straight months of decline, hinting at renewed momentum for the EV maker in one of the world’s most competitive electric car markets. 

As per data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), Tesla China sold 90,812 vehicles wholesale last month, a 2.82% year-on-year increase from the 88,321 units that were sold wholesale in September 2024. The month’s results represent the company’s best wholesale figures this year so far.

Tesla China’s September comeback

Tesla China’s wholesale results in September were boosted by the Model Y L, as noted in a CNEV Post report. The new six-seat Model Y L, launched in August and delivered starting in early September, enabled Tesla China to enter the market for large SUVs with six seats, a segment previously inaccessible by the standard, five-seat Model Y. 

Tesla’s Gigafactory Shanghai continues to be the keystone of the company’s Asia-Pacific operations, producing both the Model 3 and Model Y for local and overseas markets. September’s total marked a 9.16% increase from August’s 83,192 units, effectively allowing Tesla China to return to growth after two months of year-over-year declines.

Tesla China’s quarterly results

From January to September, Tesla China sold 606,364 vehicles wholesale, down 10.27% compared to the same period last year. The decline reflected seven months of year-on-year drops in the first nine months of 2024. Part of this decline was due to Tesla’s changeover to the new Model Y earlier this year, which resulted in the company effectively pulling out its best-selling model for a few months while its factories were being updated. 

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In the third quarter, Tesla China sold 241,890 vehicles, accounting for 48.66% of the electric car maker’s global total of 497,099 deliveries. That figure was down 2.91% year-on-year but up 26.17% from the previous quarter. With Model Y L deliveries likely hitting their stride this Q4 2025, Tesla China’s wholesale figures this quarter would likely be very interesting.

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