Tesla China initiates recall for Model S and Model X over seat belt and camera issue

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Tesla has initiated a recall of 271 Model S and Model X in China over issues with the vehicles’ seat belts and camera installation.

The recall affects 234 Model S and Model X vehicles that were produced between February 5 and May 16, 2023. During the vehicles’ production or after-sale service, the first-row seat belts and pretensioners were disassembled, and during reinstallation, the parts may not have been properly connected to the pretensioner anchors according to specifications.

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) noted that in the event of a crash, the affected Model S and Model X’s seat belts may not function correctly as restraints. This, of course, creates a safety risk.

To address the issue, Tesla will inspect the affected vehicles’ first-row seat belts and pretensioner anchor points at no cost to the owner. If any connections are found to be non-compliant with design specifications, they will be reinstalled according to the correct specifications. If needed, the entire seat belt assembly will be replaced.

The recall also covers 37 Model S and Model X that were manufactured between January 17 and July 11, 2023. These vehicles have issues with their front view camera installation, as they do not meet pitch angle design requirements. This could lead to improper functioning of active safety features and driver alerts, creating a safety risk.

To fix the affected vehicles’ camera fault, Tesla will conduct free checks on the front view camera’s pitch angle at zero cost to owners. If any camera angles are not according to specifications, they will be corrected.

Tesla China imports the Model S and Model X from the Fremont Factory, since Gigafactory Shanghai only manufactures the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover. This facility is the company’s largest factory by volume globally, with an annual production capacity of over 750,000, as per Tesla’s Q2 2023 Update Letter. Tesla also sold a total of 64,285 China-made vehicles in July, including exports and domestic deliveries, as per data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

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

Tesla China initiates recall for Model S and Model X over seat belt and camera issue

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Tesla Cybertruck charging outside Gigafactory Texas shows interesting frunk detail

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A Tesla Cybertruck was spotted charging outside of Gigafactory Texas this morning, and in the bed of the all-electric pickup was the frunk insert, giving clues to how much storage capacity might be available under the truck’s hood.

The Cybertruck sightings have been plentiful for the past few months, but what is going on this morning is slightly different as there are more details arising from this picture than ever before.

Initially, it shows the Cybertruck charging at a solar-panel canopied Supercharging station at Gigafactory Texas, where the truck will be initially produced for customers.

The images, captured by Gigafactory Texas drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer, show the all-electric pickup fresh off of production lines, noted by the barcodes that can be seen on various parts of the vehicle. There still appears to be plastic on the interior, including the seats, so this could have just rolled off of production lines less than a few hours ago.

However, the frunk insert seems to be sitting in the bed of the Cybertruck, adding another interesting thing to this photo.

tesla cybertruck frunk cutout

Credit: Joe Tegtmeyer

A few weeks ago, as Tesla was wrapping a Cybertruck like a Ford F-150, we noted that the frunk area was one on the smaller side, and it appears the cutout in the bed of the Cybertruck in this photo basically confirms that.

While we cannot determine specific dimensions, and Tesla has been relatively tight-lipped with Cybertruck details, more information will be brought to the forefront when the automaker releases the truck, along with pricing and configuration details.

It appears that more units are rolling off of production lines, and based on the observations of those close to the factory, this is likely not the same unit that Tesla flexed as the first to be manufactured at Gigafactory Texas.

Please email me with questions and comments at joey@teslarati.com. I’d love to chat! You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Tesla Cybertruck charging outside Gigafactory Texas shows interesting frunk detail

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Tesla Semi dials in Pepsi’s long-term sustainability goals

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The Tesla Semi is perhaps the most groundbreaking vehicle in the commercial industry in decades. In Sacramento, California, Pepsi is using 21 of them to help reach its sustainability goals.

In a multi-year effort that aims to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, Pepsi is depending on the Semi, battery forklifts, Ford eTransit vans, and other BEVs to help operate the full logistical load at its northern California plant.

“Battery electric vehicles are essential for us,” Amanda DeVoe, Pepsi’s Transformation and Strategy Director, said. “It’s really grounded in our duty cycle, i.e., how we use our assets because a good majority of our business is anchored in going to market, we deliver predominantly under 100 miles on a daily basis, and we run those vehicles around 12 hours a day.”

Tesla Semi Pepsico fleet ready to take on the road

The Semi is among the most crucial to the company’s business practices, and the company and its employees have quickly adapted to the ever-changing landscape in commercial logistics.

DeVoe said the use of EVs is most advantageous for this type of short-range travel from Pepsi’s distribution warehouse in Sacramento to where it will deliver vehicles.

Three of the twenty-one Tesla Semi units that Pepsi uses at the Sacramento facility are “dedicated to the long-haul” routes, which range from 250 to 450 miles.

The Tesla Semi’s technology, especially with regenerative braking, has been a monumental help for Pepsi, especially with the routes that include Donnar’s Pass.

Dejan Antunović, Pepsi’s Electrification Program Manager, said:

“Going across Donnar’s Pass and back from [Sacramento] to Nevada, we’re able to, on the trip back, actually zero out, in terms of state of charge improving due to regenerative braking…It extends range for us in a way that is invaluable.”

Transport drivers and fleet managers stated the Megacharger has helped tremendously with the travel, helping Semis reach 95 percent state of charge within 20 to 30 minutes of charging. They also commented on how comfortable the Semi’s interior is and how easy it is to drive due to the throne’s positioning toward the front of the vehicle.

tesla semi plugged into megacharger

It took three years for Pepsi to prepare for the sustainability project to really take shape, which required 3 MW of additional service to the facility.

However, the project is years ahead of schedule due to the mass adoption of EVs at the plant, led by the Semi.

Please email me with questions and comments at joey@teslarati.com. I’d love to chat! You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Pepsi details how its Tesla Semi fleet is helping it reach sustainability goals

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