Tesla writes:

“Wrap your Model 3 or Model Y in one of our premium Clear Films, only available through Tesla. Offered in Gloss Clear, which will keep your paint’s existing gloss finish, and Satin Clear, which will change your paint’s gloss finish to matte.”

Tesla says the wraps are “self-healing, urethane-based film” and will protect your car against chips, scratches, and swirling. They are also more environmentally friendly than traditional vinyl wraps, but Tesla does not detail how.

Just as the seven Color Wraps Tesla started offering on October 10, they will be installed at the Service Centers in West Covina, California, and Carlsbad, California.

The PPF wraps will be available in two options: Clear Gloss and Clear Satin, offering either a shiny or flat option for the vehicles.

Here are a few Tesla vehicles in varying colors with the PPF installed:

PPF has several benefits for your vehicle and can improve the longevity of its paint and look, as weather and other factors can take away the natural shine and appearance of your car, making it less of a head-turner from when you bought it.

Things like the sun’s UV rays, stones on the road, acid rain, bird droppings, and other unavoidable factors can all contribute to the paint having less quality over time.

PPF protects against all of these things and can be replaced every few years, keeping your car in pristine condition from an aesthetic perspective.

Tesla lists the price as $5,000. While many people were outraged at the price of the color wraps, the price of the clear PPF varies, but Detailed Image says it can cost between $1,200 to $1,500 on the low end, and $1,800 to $2,200 on the high end.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

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Tesla’s leasing program gives people the opportunity to have an EV for a slightly smaller cost than owning the vehicle outright, and the terms are variable, just as any other automaker offers.

However, the company just slashed leasing prices for the Model 3 and Model Y, its two most popular vehicles, making it as affordable as ever to lease one of the cars with a 36-month term.

Tesla decreased lease payments by as much as $100 per month on some configurations.

The lease prices are as follows:

Tesla Model 3

• Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive – $329/month, down from $419
• Model 3 Long Range – $439/month, down from $509
• Model 3 Performance – $529/month, down from $609

Tesla Model Y

• Model Y Rear Wheel Drive – $399/month, down from $499
• Model Y Long Range – $469/month, down from $549
• Model Y Performance – $539/month, down from $629

These are the prices for the 36-month leasing term with 10,000 miles a year. These prices do not include potential savings from gas and maintenance.

Tesla just recently slashed prices on the Model 3 and Model Y earlier this month, and the move ended up helping EV prices across the sector. Tesla saw a 5.5 percent decrease in pricing from August to September and a 24.7 percent decrease in September 2023 compared to the same month in 2022.

Model 3 likely to lose full $7,500 EV Tax Credit

Tesla also stated on its website that it is expecting to lose the full $7,500 tax credit on the Model 3. The automaker expects the credit to be reduced to $3,750 on December 31 “pending federal guidance.”

The move to alert customers of this change could incentivize some to buy the vehicle before the end of the year. This would help Tesla’s delivery and production figures for Q4 and 2023 as a whole, as it missed in Q3 due to line upgrades at several factories.

Tesla is still expecting to deliver 1.8 million cars this year, as it reassured investors of this after the Q3 production and delivery figures were announced earlier this month.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

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“Wrap your Model 3 or Model Y in one of our premium Color Wraps, only available through Tesla,” the company wrote. “Offered in seven exclusive colors, this self-healing urethane-based film protects the paint beneath from chips, scratches, and swirling.”

“Purchase price includes cost of materials and installation. Current participating Tesla Service Centers include West Covina, CA, and Carlsbad, CA.”

Tesla is offering seven new colors with the wraps, including:

• Satin Stealth Black: $7,500
• Slip Grey: $7,500
• Glacier Blue: $8,000
• Satin Rose Gold: $8,000
• Forest Green: $8,000
• Satin Ceramic White: $8,000
• Crimson Red: $8,000

Tesla appears to be using this strategy to offer more colors to customers without having to upgrade paint shops at its U.S. factories. Tesla has only offered five colors for its vehicles for several years, and customers have been wondering when it will finally offer more options.

Tesla has a world-class paint shop in Germany at Gigafactory Berlin, but CEO Elon Musk said in 2022 that only that factory would be capable of colors like Quicksilver and Midnight Cherry Red.

Only Giga Berlin can make these colors, as paint shop was specially built to apply many fine layers of paint, giving it complexity not otherwise possible https://t.co/Htis0LfRzV

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 21, 2022

Additionally, the automaker has hinted toward bringing wraps to the upcoming Cybertruck, which is set to be released by the end of the year.

With it likely performing this in-house, it appears Tesla had plans to expand it to other vehicles, and it has done that with this specific expansion of wrapping the Model 3 and Model Y.

Tesla notes that the wrap will be applied to Tesla Model 3+ and Model Y+, which are the refreshed and newest versions of the two cars.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

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For as little as $2 a ride, Dash, an acronym for Downtown Area Shared Hubs, will start picking up riders this Thursday across seven Tampa neighborhoods.

The Florida city is surrounded by several notable towns and is located on the Gulf of Mexico, making it a popular spot for tourists and temporary visitors but also an ideal place to live.

Rideshare companies are taking advantage of visitors and locals by launching numerous efforts in cities across the United States. In New York, there is Revel, and in Tampa, there is Dash.

Just like Revel, Dash will utilize a fleet of Tesla Model Y all-electric crossovers driven by “driver-ambassadors,” who are trained as guides, according to the Tampa Downtown Partnership. The Tampa Bay Times added that Dash will officially launch operations on a part-time basis starting Thursday, with full-time rideshare services being offered on Friday.

“We wanted to make sure this new way to get around Downtown is just as distinctive as the other transportation options it’ll be joining,” Shaun Drinkard, Interim President of the Tampa Downtown Partnership. “When you think about the streetcar with its classic look, or a colorful e-bike or scooter, or the swords on the side of the Pirate Water Taxi, we know DASH’s bright yellow Teslas will be a great addition.”

All-electric rideshare options are becoming more relevant and sought after in today’s world due to many consumers wanting to reduce carbon emissions. Smaller companies like Dash and Revel are operating in large cities but are usually exclusive to a specific region. While Revel operates out of New York City, it drives in a variety of boroughs, and expanded to Brooklyn, for example, last year.

However, other large rideshare companies, like Uber and Lyft, are also getting in on the action by helping drivers obtain EVs and giving riders the option to choose an electric vehicle specifically.

This is available in certain regions, and Uber Green was something I used during recent trips to Ocean City and Las Vegas.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

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Last night, Tesla dropped prices on the Model 3 and Model Y in the U.S. by as much as $2,250. All but one configuration of the two all-electric vehicles had its prices dropped, with the lone car being the recently-released Model Y Rear-Wheel-Drive that Tesla brought back to its Design Studio earlier this week.

Tesla Model Y and Model 3 receive fresh price cuts in the US

This morning, the automaker adjusted prices in several European markets as well, except they moved in the opposite direction.

In Sweden and Norway, the Model Y increased in price.

Sweden’s price increase was SEK 15,000, or about $1,364. The Model Y Rear-Wheel-Drive now starts at SEK 574,170, or $52,210.

Additionally, Norweigian Model Y configurations increased by between 20,000 and 24,000 NOK, or between $1,822 and $2,186.

Price adjustments have been a big part of Tesla’s business in 2023 as it has been changing vehicle pricing for much of the year. Most of the adjustments took place within the first half of 2023, with the most substantial change occurring right after the new year, as Tesla dropped prices on some vehicles by as much as $13,000.

Nevertheless, things have slowed down through the latter half of the year in terms of vehicle price changes, and analysts were even convinced that Tesla would keep things around the same level for the rest of the year.

A Tweet on X from Wedbush’s Dan Ives yesterday during the early morning hours stated:

“With price cuts mostly in the rearview mirror providing stability in prices going forward, we believe Tesla is now set to be entering the next stage of growth for the company globally with the Model 3 refresh front and center in China and Cybertruck production set to kick off.”

These price cuts may be a way to offset less-than-expected delivery figures for Q3, but demand for Tesla in the U.S. continues to be strong.

I can’t see too well, can you help me find the competition? pic.twitter.com/GQBWXSnEEq

— Teslaconomics (@Teslaconomics) October 6, 2023

The automaker still holds a substantial lead in the overall U.S. EV market share picture, and with a lofty goal of 1.8 million deliveries reiterated after the Q3 delivery miss, things are not necessarily looking bad for Tesla.

The Cybertruck and Model 3+ will both start deliveries by the end of the year if all goes according to plan, offering several new designs to Tesla’s lineup of vehicles. These vehicles should help Tesla reach the 1.8 million unit goal.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

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The Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD), the all-electric sedan’s most affordable variant in the US, now starts at $38,990. The variant was previously priced at $40,240 before options. The Model 3 Long Range, which used to be priced at $47,240, has been adjusted to $45,990.

The Model 3 Performance, arguably Tesla’s most fun vehicle due to its Track mode and nimble handling, now starts at just $50,990. The Model 3 Performance was previously priced at $53,240. That’s quite a steal for a vehicle that features a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds, a top speed of 162 mph, and a range of 315 miles per charge.

On the Model Y’s side, Tesla opted to adjust the prices of the all-electric crossover’s mid-tier and top-tier variants. With the recent price cuts in effect, the Model Y Long Range now starts at $48,490. The vehicle was previously listed with a starting price of $50,490. The Model Y Performance, on the other hand, now starts at $52,490, down from $54,490 before options.

The Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD), the vehicle’s entry-level variant, has so far retained its starting price of $43,990 before options.

The recent round of price cuts would make the Model 3 and Model Y even more compelling for consumers in the United States this fourth quarter. This might very well be the case considering that the Model 3 and Model Y both qualify for the Inflation Reduction Act’s $7,500 federal tax credit for eligible buyers. In states like Colorado, other incentives could push the prices of the two all-electric best-sellers down further.

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

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In late September, Tesla decided to add a few new features to the Model Y crossover, but these updates would only take place in the Chinese version of the vehicle.

Based on images from Tesla’s Design Studio in China, there were several new features, including the omittance of the wood panel strip that lines the dash and an ambient lighting strip that runs along the new panel.

Tesla rolls out Model Y update with ambient lights and new wheels in China

While rumors of “Project Juniper,” an updated version of the Model Y that was perhaps comparable to what Tesla did with the Model 3 “Highland,” have circulated, this is likely not the “refresh” the automaker has in mind for the crossover.

These are minor changes that help freshen up the vehicle design and can push consumers to buy a new version of the car, helping push sales upward.

The new features are now being shown in a video from China, which shows the paneling and ambient light strips:

MY UPDATE: 4 days ago, Tesla CN announced a few minor changes to MIC Model Y, including 0-100 acceleration boost, new interior materials. ambient lighting, etc.

Now we have the 1st video showing the ambient lighting in Model Y. Unlike the ambient lighting extended around all… pic.twitter.com/p7d0Vx68KE

— Ray (@ray4tesla) October 5, 2023

The ambient lighting in the Model Y is different than the Model 3+. The Model Y’s ambient lighting strip only spans from the driver’s side to the passenger’s side on the dash panel. Meanwhile, the Model 3’s ambient lighting spans throughout the entire dash and on the door panels, providing much more LED lighting than the Model Y does.

Tesla Model 3+/Highland Ambient Lighting (Credit: Tesla)

It is definitely a different look, and we could see a more expansive ambient lighting feature in the Model Y “Juniper” if Tesla ultimately decides to go ahead with a full refresh like it did with the Model 3.

We reported yesterday that it seems Tesla planned to install ambient lighting in the Model S and Model X as early as 2022, but the automaker ultimately decided against it.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

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Last night, Tesla launched the Model Y RWD on its website, and with federal and local incentives, it could cost buyers under $31,000 as it qualifies for the full EV tax credit from the government. Packing the LFP, or lithium iron phosphate battery pack, Tesla has brought its most popular car to an affordable level with reasonable range ratings and more than acceptable performance metrics.

Tesla adds Model Y Rear-Wheel-Drive to U.S.

While it was a timely offering in terms of Tesla’s trek for 1.8 million deliveries this year after a lackluster Q3 due to factory upgrades that required production pauses, this vehicle offers the automaker two things:

1. A new mode of demand for the Model Y, especially in the U.S. market, where it has already been extremely popular
2. Another edge over the already-frustrated competition, which is falling further behind due to a number of factors, and has already thrown in the towel to Tesla and will use its Superchargers next year because developing infrastructure is difficult

Of course, the Model Y RWD is not the best crossover out there. We would likely reserve this for the Long Range version of the Model Y, which offers more travel distance per charge and better performance metrics.

That’s not to say that the Model Y RWD is something worth overlooking because, for many, it is the answer to the question they’ve had: how will I put the most popular EV in the U.S. in my driveway for roughly $35,000?

This was Tesla’s answer.

Obviously, there is no shortage of people who are at least thinking about buying an EV. Recent figures have shown that Tesla commands the U.S. EV market by a considerable margin, and although it seems there is still plenty of demand for its vehicles in the North American market, Tesla still has to find ways to cater to customers who need certain vehicles at certain price points.

The Long Range Model Y is an ideal car for most people and families. Crossovers are an extremely sought-after body style in this market, but they come at a price. Give someone who needs a crossover EV at a price they cannot pass up and pack on the world’s most expansive charging network on top of it, and it is simply not a matter of whether people will buy it. It’s a matter of when, and how many will be bought.

It is no secret that people may be somewhat worried that Tesla may not reach its 1.8 million unit delivery goal for the year. Even with the Model 3+, or Highland, whatever you want to call it, starting deliveries this month in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East and the Cybertruck likely beginning deliveries soon, there still needs to be some movement in the U.S. market.

Cybertruck deliveries are likely going to be somewhat small for the last quarter of the year, and Highland will contribute plenty of units to the Q4 figures, but the U.S. is still where Tesla dominates the most, but neither of these vehicles are available here yet.

Enter the Model Y RWD as the nail in the coffin for companies that are either striking due to UAW demands for better wages and benefits, or are struggling with EV software and quality, or just an overall lack of awareness in terms of the auto market.

Yes, there are some people out there that have no interest in an EV. However, there are plenty that are. Ford, GM, and Stellantis are not building any in the U.S. currently because of the UAW strike, Volkswagen may have some things to offer, but it hasn’t chosen to adopt the NACS charging connector to gain access to the Supercharger network. Hyundai is still early in its EV venture, and the IONIQ is certainly an attractive option, but the Model Y RWD will trump it because of its price and Tesla’s overall advantages, including charging and overall EV prowess.

We have talked plenty about nails in the coffin for EV makers before, but with a new demand trigger with the Model Y RWD for Tesla and Detroit pausing EV production while the terms of a new UAW contract get worked out, this is spelling nothing but trouble for Tesla’s competitors.

The Model Y RWD has opened a new can of worms for competitors to try and combat. Right now, at least in the U.S., it’s Tesla’s world, and competitors are just living in it.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

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The vehicle is now the third Model Y configuration available in the United States and joins the Dual Motor All-Wheel-Drive variations, which were the Long Range and Performance options.

Tesla has listed the vehicle at $43,990, and depending on local incentives, the vehicle can be as low as $30,390.

The Model Y Rear-Wheel-Drive does qualify for the full $7,500 tax rebate.

Credit: Tesla

The vehicle is similar to the Model Y Rear-Wheel-Drive that was launched in the European market last year, which offered roughly the same amount of range and a similar acceleration rate.

The vehicle is also available in Mexico and Canada.

Based on some of the specs of the Model Y Rear-Wheel-Drive, it appears the LFP cells may be present in this vehicle as it features a lower range rating and slightly padded acceleration.

Tesla said several years ago that it planned to transition its Standard-Range vehicles to LFP cells, which would be more suited for the lower range ratings.

We believe this vehicle was built in Gigafactory Texas and could be a product of the newly upgraded production lines at the factory, which was one of the reasons for Tesla’s less-than-expected production and delivery figures in Q3 2023.

This vehicle could be a key piece of Tesla meeting its 1.8 million unit delivery goal for the year. As the Model 3 Highland is set to begin deliveries in China, Europe, and the Middle East this month, and the Cybertruck is expected to make its first deliveries as soon as late October, the new Model Y RWD configuration will bring an affordable price point to consumers, especially if they take advantage of the federal and local tax credits that will bring prices down even further.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

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According to preliminary sales data posted by the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), the Model Y saw 697 registrations in September, allowing it to edge out the Toyota RAV4 for both passenger car and outright registration honors. The Toyota RAV4 saw 683 registrations during the month.

The Ford Ranger led the commercial market with 605 registrations, followed by the Toyota Hilux with 540 registrations. The MG4 rounded out the top 10 best-selling new vehicles in September with 159 registrations. This was quite impressive as the MG4 has only been on sale for a few months. Similar to the Tesla Model Y, the MG4 is an all-electric car.

Overall, a total of 10,909 new vehicles were sold across New Zealand in September, comprising 8,150 passenger vehicles and 2,759 commercial vehicles. These numbers represent a 26.5% decline compared to the same month last year.

Motor Industry Association chief executive Aimee Wiley has previously noted that the decline in the New Zealand auto industry’s numbers is likely due to a number of factors, such as a record result in June, a tougher economic climate, and a “hesitation or reluctance to purchase pre-election, particularly with transport policy changes hinging upon the election result,” as noted in a Stuff NZ report.

Following is New Zealand’s top 10 best-selling vehicles in September 2023:

1. Tesla Model Y – 697 registrations
2. Toyota RAV4 – 683 registrations
3. Ford Ranger – 605 registrations
4. Toyota Hilux – 540 registrations
5. Toyota Yaris Cross – 316 registrations
6. Mitsubishi ASX – 286 registrations
7. Mitsubishi Outlander – 268 registrations
8. MG ZS – 250 registrations
9. Mitsubishi Triton – 198 registrations
10. MG4 – 159 registrations

The Tesla Model Y started deliveries in New Zealand in August 2022, and it has since proven itself in the country’s auto sector. That same month, Tesla topped New Zealand’s EV car sales, though this was attributed to both the Model 3 and Model Y. By the end of September 2022, the Model Y was already one of the country’s top-selling vehicles.

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

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