Tesla Cybertruck attachment points provide opportunities to other companies

During the 2023 Annual Shareholder Meeting, also known as the 2023 Cyber Roundup, Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed that the Cybertruck would be optimized to support third-party accessories. Musk’s update came during the event’s Q&A session. 

When questions were opened for the audience at the event, a shareholder, who was dressed in a Texas-themed Optimus attire, asked if Tesla was looking to enter the RV market. Musk explained that while Tesla won’t be building an RV for now, the Cybertruck would be a pretty good vehicle that can be converted into an RV. 

To accomplish this, Elon Musk noted that Tesla is equipping the Cybertruck with several attachment points that could support third-party accessories. Musk did not elaborate on what these accessories would exactly be, though he stated that some of them could transform the Cybertruck into a camper of sorts. 

“We don’t have any plans to build an RV quite yet, although I can certainly see how Cybertruck could be converted into an RV. We are adding a lot of, sort of, attachment points to Cybertruck, so others can build things. (So) A startup or other companies can build things that are attachments that enhance Cybertruck and turn it into a camper essentially. Because I think it would be really cool to have these third-party things available for the Cybertruck,” Musk said

With Musk’s statement, the Cybertruck could become one of the most popular pickup trucks for third-party vehicle accessory makers. Being a pickup truck with a 6.5-foot bed, the Cybertruck could be equipped with a lot of creative modifications, from bed racks that are optimized for utility and work to campers that are optimized for recreation. It would definitely be interesting to see what types of accessories the Cybertruck would have, both from Tesla and third-party providers.

The Cybertruck’s accessories were highlighted recently when Tesla held the groundbreaking ceremony for its South Texas lithium refinery. During the event, Tesla brought over a Cybertruck prototype fitted with a bed rack that was carrying several “cyber-themed” shovels. The shovels were used by Tesla executives and Texas officials during the actual groundbreaking ceremony. 

Later reports from Tesla and SpaceX community members suggested that the Cybertruck prototype’s bed rack was custom-made for the South Texas lithium refinery groundbreaking event. Similar to Musk, Tesla executive Drew Baglino reportedly noted then that several Cybertruck accessories are under development.

The Teslarati team would appreciate hearing from you. If you have any tips, contact me at maria@teslarati.com or via Twitter @Writer_01001101.

Tesla Cybertruck attachment points provide opportunities to other companies

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Tesla threatened by class action lawsuit regarding OTA updates

A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed in California against Tesla regarding the automaker’s over-the-air (OTA) updates and how they affect battery health.

As the first major automaker to institute OTA updates to its vehicles, Tesla has faced numerous legal challenges regarding the technology since its launch. Now, the leading EV brand is facing yet another lawsuit, this time in the State of California. According to Reuters, Tesla faces a potential lawsuit from a group of Model S and Model X owners, who allege the company’s OTA updates have negatively impacted battery health.

As noted in the court filing, the group of Model S and X owners allege that recent OTA updates have resulted in as much as a 20% drop in range as well as a select number of “battery failures,” which resulted in owners being forced to pay $15,000 for a new battery. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that Tesla infringed on consumer protections put in place by the “Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.”

This is not the first time Tesla has faced a legal challenge regarding OTA updates and their effect on battery health. In 2021, the company settled a similar case and paid $1.9 million to a small group of Model S owners who alleged that a software update had lowered the maximum battery voltage of their vehicles.

“Tesla owners and lessors are uniquely at the mercy of the maker of their cars, and Tesla imposes software updates without consent whenever their vehicle is connected to Wi-Fi,” said Steve Berman, a lawyer representing the new group of plaintiffs. Neither Tesla nor its legal team have yet to issue a comment.

It remains unclear what damages Tesla could be facing if the proposed case were to reach court, and further, it is unclear how widespread the alleged battery health problem is.

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Tesla threatened by class action lawsuit regarding OTA updates

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Used Tesla Model S prices in Australia rise amid cancellation of new deliveries

Australia’s market for used Tesla Model S and Model X units appears to have been affected by the automaker’s announcement last Friday. Last week, Tesla announced that deliveries of the new Model S and Model X in Australia have been canceled since the vehicles would only be produced as left-hand drive variants. 

Following Tesla’s announcement, reservation holders of the two flagship vehicles—some of whom placed their deposits over two years ago—were informed that they would get their payments refunded. They will also be receiving a $3,000 discount if they purchase a Model 3 or Model Y instead. 

Under these circumstances, the prices of used Model S and Model X units have reportedly been affected in Australia. For example, a 2019 Tesla Model S 100D saw a 30% price increase to AU$129,999 following Tesla’s announcement last week. 

As noted by The Driven, the 2019 Model S 100D in question was only priced at AU$99,999 back in early April. This suggests that the cancellation of the new Model S and Model X in Australia effectively added AU$30,000 to the second-hand flagship vehicle’s price. 

The cancelation of orders for the new Model S and Model X in Australia is quite unfortunate, especially since Tesla rolled out incentives in the United States for new customers of the flagship all-electric vehicles. The incentives include free Supercharging, a revamped referral program, and financing options as low as 3.99% in some states.  

The Teslarati team would appreciate hearing from you. If you have any tips, contact me at maria@teslarati.com or via Twitter @Writer_01001101.

Used Tesla Model S prices in Australia rise amid cancellation of new deliveries

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