Issue 340 - Elon Musk hints at a new model for large families

DIY Protection with Fenylab
[Sponsored] Feynlab’s DIY products follow a regimen: Preparation, Protection, and Maintenance. First Prepare the paint by washing it with Pure Wash, followed by Panel Prep to remove any residual oil or contaminants. Then Protect your Tesla using Ceramic Lite - the easiest coating to apply. Then Maintain the coating with Pure Wash, and if you want that extra touch of protection, follow it up with Ceramic Spray Sealant every couple of months.

Cybertruck

Cybertruck recall for faulty inverter, no OTA solution
Tesla's latest recall involves 2,431 units of the 2024 Cybertruck due to defective drive unit inverters, marking its sixth recall this year. Unfortunately, the issue can't be resolved with a software update, so affected owners will need to visit a service center to get the faulty component replaced starting from December 9.

Tesla discontinues in-house wraps for Cybertruck
Tesla has discontinued its in-house Cybertruck wrap service, shortly after reducing its color options. This pivot seems to follow decreased demand, given the small number of Cybertrucks on the streets and the service’s limited availability in California. While the Model 3 and Model Y still enjoy Tesla’s wrap service, Cybertruck owners may now have to turn to third-party providers for customization.

The good news for you is that our friends at Twraps offer a great DIY alternative and installations. If you are in the Bay Area, hit them up at twraps.com.

Cameras

Tesla updates UI for clearer FSD camera warnings 📷
Tesla's latest software update enhances the alert system when the Full Self-Driving (FSD) camera view is blocked, providing specific details on which camera is obstructed and steps to clear the obstruction. A new UI includes a 'View' button for owners to see a diagram highlighting the affected camera, alongside a thumbnail image showing the blockage, ensuring drivers can quickly address the issue without the distraction of repeated alerts.

2025 Model 3 and Model Y get rear camera water shield 📷
Tesla has added a new design feature to the 2025 Model 3 and Model Y: a protective shield for the rear camera to better guard against water, dirt, and road debris. The improvement, first seen on Shanghai-built Model Y vehicles, includes a lip to deter spray from the tires. For those without the upgrade, there's word of a 3D-printed shield in the works to retrofit earlier models.

Merch

Tesla Bot action figure 📷
Tesla just launched—and quickly sold out—an action figure of Optimus. The Tesla Bot Action Figure is a detailed 1:10 scale model of Tesla’s Gen 2 humanoid robot. It features over 40 parts and 20 points of articulation, allowing for realistic movement. The action figure measures 2.16 inches wide by 7.16 inches high and weighs 1.7 ounces. It includes a bot figurine, a charging stand, and a CyberHammer accessory. I know it’s sold out, but Santa, if you’re reading this, I’ve been really good this year. I’ll put my stocking up by the chimney!

New Models

Elon Musk hints at a new bigger Tesla model for large families
Elon Musk teases the development of an unnamed larger Tesla model, potentially fulfilling the needs of big families that require more than the seven seats offered by the Model X and Y. Although Tesla's focus continues to be on self-driving technology, consumer demand for roomier vehicles has been acknowledged. The 'Robovan,' showcased at the 'We, Robot' event, might be a hint of what's to come, with Musk tweeting hints about additional vehicles under development.

Charging
Texas Tesla buyers get $5/month unlimited overnight charging
Tesla sparks interest in Texas with a budget-friendly charging deal, offering new Tesla buyers a year of unlimited overnight home charging for just $5 a month. To snag this hefty discount on the usual $15 monthly rate, Texans must take delivery and sign up for the Tesla Electric Fixed Plan by December 31, 2024. The plan also includes a $400 Powerwall credit and set rates for energy sales back to the grid.

Tesla improves navigation for towing at Superchargers 📷
Tesla owners can now easily locate Supercharger stations compatible with towing, thanks to the new feature that highlights trailer-friendly sites directly in the navigation system, either when in Trailer Mode or with a quick tap. This enhancement, anticipated for several months, is bolstered by the introduction of 'Please Use Last' signs directing drivers to reserve pull-through spots for those with trailers. As Tesla continues to expand its network, more new stations are being designed to accommodate trailers, aligning with their construction of more pull-through Supercharger stalls.

Tesla unveils V4 cabinet for up to 500kW ultra-fast charging 📹
Tesla's Supercharger network is leveling up with the newly announced V4 Cabinet, offering ultra-fast charging speeds up to 500kW for vehicles and an astounding 1.2MW for the Semi. This next-gen hardware packs twice as many charging posts per cabinet, promising to expand the network more efficiently with a smaller physical footprint. Tesla plans to roll out these new V4 Cabinets with the first sites expected to open in 2025.

🤓 What the acronym
As a Tesla fan, I find myself sometimes having to remember what are all those acronyms, here is a list of the ones you can find in this issue.

FSD: Full Self-Driving
OTA: Over-the-air (software update)

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