Tesla offers free Fremont Factory tour to Chinese customers

Posted on


Tesla is offering a chance to win a free Fremont Factory tour to customers in China who complete their delivery between May 25 and June 30, 2024.

Tesla China recently announced the free Fremont Factory draw on its Weibo account. The winner will receive a one-day free Fremont Factory tour. 

Given Tesla’s Freemont Factory in California, the US-based automaker will cover the winner’s airfare and transportation costs. In addition to free airfare, transportation, and a Fremont Factory tour, the participant will also receive 10,000 km of free Supercharging.

Tesla China did not mention how many customers will be named the free Fremont Factory tour winner. However, Tesla enumerated some of the requirements to win. 

(Credit: CNEV Post)

First, eligible participants must purchase a new Tesla vehicle. Second, they must complete their vehicle delivery by the end of June 2024. Third, they must obtain a US visa on their own for the free Fremont Factory tour. 

Previously, Tesla China offered a chance to win a free two-day visit to Giga Shanghai. The Giga Shanghai free tour is available to customers who visit a Tesla store in China and test-drive a vehicle before June 30, 2024. 

Tesla China accounted for 22.5% of the company’s overall revenue in 2023. However, the company faces tough competition in China against Chinese automakers. 

The company has launched programs that encourage Chinese customers to purchase new Tesla vehicles. In April 2024, Tesla announced a zero downpayment program for Model 3 and Model Y units in its inventory. It launched another zero-interest, zero-downpayment promotion in May, which ends on June 30.

If you have any tips, contact me at maria@teslarati.com or via X @Writer_01001101. 

Tesla offers free Fremont Factory tour to Chinese customers





Source

Study finds only 2.5% of EV batteries have been replaced to date

Posted on


A recent study from Recurrent has revealed that overall, electric vehicle battery replacements are rare. And if high-profile recalls such as GM’s issues with the Chevy Bolt EV are taken out of the equation, only 2.5% of electric vehicle battery packs in 2011 to 2024 model year EVs have been replaced thus far. 

Electric vehicle critics typically point to battery replacements as a reason why EVs are a subpar alternative to combustion-powered cars. This is partly due to the fact that electric vehicle batteries are expensive, costing as much as 50% of a car’s value. With this in mind, battery replacements have the potential to give customers huge headaches. 

As noted in a study from Recurrent, however, battery replacements are actually extremely rare. While there have been battery recalls from General Motors and Hyundai over the years, the vast majority of electric car batteries are still in their original vehicles. This seems to be especially true for Tesla, which comprises the majority of electric vehicle sales in the United States. 

As per Recurrent’s findings: “Across all years and models, outside of big recalls, only 2.5% have been replaced. This increase from last year is entirely due to older cars. For cars older than 2015, replacement rates are 13%, but under 1% for cars from 2016 and newer.”

Even battery-related recalls have not resulted in much financial inconvenience for consumers. Recurrent’s study noted that battery replacements that occur under warranty have so far been handled by automakers themselves. This seems to be the case with General Motors with the Hummer EV’s batteries, as well as Rivian’s all-electric adventure vehicles. Such an instance was described by the owner of a Hummer EV whose battery was replaced by GM. 

“GM called and asked if they could have my battery for an engineering study. They offered me $250.00, the new battery, and a loaner vehicle. Dealer turned it around in one day, as this was the second time they replaced my battery. Win win for everyone,” the Hummer EV owner noted. 

Recurrent’s study can be viewed here. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Study finds only 2.5% of EV batteries have been replaced to date





Source

Tesla adding racing game leaderboards at Superchargers with next update

Posted on


Release notes for Tesla’s upcoming software update surfaced over the weekend, and along with many improvements and new features, the company is also set to launch a fun local leaderboard system for its onboard racing game.

Tesla software update 2024.20 is set to add special Supercharger races for Beach Buggy Racing at Superchargers, and the ability to compete for leaderboard spots at the locations, per release notes shared by Not a Tesla App on Saturday. The update is also slated to include improvements to security, to adaptive high beams, and to air conditioning efficiency in hot weather.

“Set the fastest lap at your local Supercharger! Drive to a Supercharger and compete in Beach Buggy Racing special races to set the fastest time on the leaderboard against other players,” writes Tesla in the release notes.

Credit: Tesla (via Not a Tesla App)

The Beach Buggy racing leaderboard system is currently only being made available in the U.S., though it’s being added to all of Tesla’s vehicles. The update also includes hot weather improvements for the whole lineup, which are set to help cool down the cabin more quickly. In addition, Tesla says the hot weather improvements maintain comfort at lower noise levels.

The update also includes important security fixes, adaptive headlight improvements, and an Autopilot Suspension system, as the company details. Tesla now says it plans to suspend Autopilot when drivers receive five “Autopilot strikeouts,” and it will forgive one strikeout for each 7-day period in which they don’t receive any strikeouts.

It’s also worth noting that, as Not a Tesla app points out, these come from an early look at the software update, and there will likely be additional features that haven’t yet been detailed.

Tesla began rolling out its spring update, 2024.14.3, late last month, including features like hands-free trunk opening, mobile sentry mode previews, better routes available in navigation, and still more. In software update 2024.2.11, which initially launched in March, Tesla also began rolling out an Autopark feature based on its neural network for Full Self-Driving (FSD).

Tesla owners put on heart-shaped light show with over 200 cars

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

Tesla adding racing game leaderboards at Superchargers with next update





Source