Tesla Model 3 Highland units arrive in Israel

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Tesla Model 3 Highland units arrived in Ashdod, Israel, aboard the Gold Kochav. Pictures show a few hundred refresh Model 3s ready for delivery, most of which were white. 

In August, Tesla opened Model 3 Highland orders in Israel, following the upgraded model’s release in China. At the time, Tesla offered the Model 3 Highland RWD for a starting price of NIS 159,990 ($42,105.40), and the Long Range versions started at NIS 179,990 ($47,368.90) before options. 

The delivery window for the Tesla Model 3 in Israel was between October and November 2023. As of this writing, Tesla’s delivery estimate for the refresh Model 3 is between January and February 2024. The prices for Model 3 Highland RWD and Long Range variants remain the same. 

Late last month, a Model 3 Highland reservation holder from Dubai informed Teslarati that they received a delivery update for their order. Tesla informed the reservation holder that their delivery appointment would be on October 26. Deliveries for Israel were expected to start around the same time as Dubai. 

Israel is currently in turmoil with the Israel-Hamas war, which might make Tesla Model 3 Highland deliveries challenging. In mid-October, Tesla rolled out free Supercharging in Israel. The Texas-based factory has 17 Supercharger locations in Israel.

Tesla kicked off Model 3 Highland deliveries in Europe, starting with the first delivery in Germany. After refresh Model 3 deliveries in Germany, Tesla rolled out Highland units in The Netherlands. Earlier this month, Tesla started Model 3 deliveries in Austria.  

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

Tesla Model 3 Highland units arrive in Israel

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Tesla hints at upcoming Model Y price hike in China

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It appears that Tesla China is poised to raise the price of the Gigafactory Shanghai-made Model Y crossover. The expected price hike comes just weeks after the electric vehicle maker increased the price of the Model Y Performance by RMB 14,000 (around $1,920). 

Industry watchers in China have observed that multiple Tesla salespeople have posted in their WeChat status that the price of the Model Y was going up in the country. The Tesla staff reportedly noted that the upcoming price hike would be a continuation of the RMB 14,000 price increase that was rolled out to the Model Y Performance last month. 

The same information was echoed by local media outlet Jiemian, which cited a comment from Tesla China stating that it was indeed planning to adjust the prices of the Model Y’s other versions. Tesla China currently offers three variants of the Model Y: the base Rear Wheel Drive (RWD), the Long Range Dual Motor All Wheel Drive (AWD), and the Performance. 

Starting prices for the three Model Y variants are currently listed at RMB 263,900 (about $36,200), RMB 299,900 (about $41,200), and RMB 363,900 (about $50,000), respectively. Prior to its RMB 14,000 price increase last month, the Model Y Performance was listed with a price of RMB 349,900 (about $48,000). 

While Tesla staff in China are hinting at a price hike, and while local media outlets have cited Tesla China itself noting that a price increase is coming to the Model Y, the timing or range of the price adjustments remains to be seen. Such an announcement could also be seen as a way to incentivize customers to purchase a Model Y now to avail of a lower price. 

The Model Y is Tesla’s best-selling car, and in Q1 this year, it actually became the world’s best-selling vehicle. A notable part of Tesla’s Model Y sales is in China, which is likely why the EV maker has made efforts to make the all-electric crossover more attractive to domestic consumers. Last month, for example, Tesla rolled out a minor update to the Model Y in the form of ambient lightning in the cabin, a new dashboard trim, and new wheels. 

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

Tesla hints at upcoming Model Y price hike in China

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University of Manitoba engineering team celebrates Tesla battery sponsorship

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Tesla has granted a battery sponsorship to the University of Manitoba engineering team. Tesla would be donating 2170 cells for the University of Manitoba Society of Automotive Engineers (UMSAE) Formula Electric team’s upcoming EV project. 

Every year, engineering students at the University of Manitoba build new open-wheel formula-style electric race cars to compete at international vents, according to CTV News. With Tesla’s industry-leading batteries, the students’ electric racer this year may have a chance at performing admirably in its events. 

Tanner Turnbull, the team lead of the engineering students, stated that Tesla’s sponsorship is a notable boost to the team’s confidence. The team also noted that it was only one of 67 that were selected worldwide for a Tesla sponsorship. 

“It’s kind of surreal. You realize that ‘wow the largest electric vehicle manufacturer on the planet is now acknowledging us and recognizing what we’ve accomplished.’ It’s a huge encouragement to continue working hard towards our goal of making the best electric vehicle in North America at these competitions,” Turnbull said. 

Kaya Jones, the team’s accumulator lead responsible for the electric racer’s battery, stated that Tesla’s sponsorship effectively covered the vehicle’s most expensive component.

“All the power from the car starts there. Without the accumulator, the car would be a shopping cart essentially. Having the support from Tesla, both monetarily and having their backing, being able to consult with their engineers about the design and get their expertise, it’s invaluable to the team,” Jones said. 

Jones also noted that the university’s SAE team has some of the brightest minds in the University of Manitoba. Thus, being able to participate in such a project, especially one with such a notable sponsor like Tesla, is a huge learning experience. 

“SAE has some of the best and brightest students at the U of M, and being able to be around them and pick knowledge off them, pick their brains apart, I feel it helped develop myself as an engineer,” Jones said. 

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

University of Manitoba engineering team celebrates Tesla battery sponsorship

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