Three Brand New, Original Tesla Roadsters Have Been Found in a Storage Container

By Kevin Armstrong
Three original Tesla Roadsters were found with 0 miles in a storage container
Three original Tesla Roadsters were found with 0 miles in a storage container
GruberMotors (Edited by NATA)

In a remarkable discovery, three untouched Tesla Roadsters from 2010 have emerged from their long slumber in a Chinese port, offering a glimpse into the pivotal role they played in sparking the electric vehicle (EV) revolution and Tesla's astounding success. More than just pristine collectibles, these Roadsters stand as enduring symbols of a watershed moment in the automotive industry and Tesla's ambitious journey.

These three US-spec left-hand drive Roadsters, two Very Orange models and one Radiant Red, Sport model, have been sitting unspoiled and hidden away in sea containers since their purchase in 2010. Now, they're ready to be revived and enjoyed by eager Tesla fans and collectors.

Elon Musk Tweets About the Remarkable Find

The discovery caught the eye of Elon Musk. He acknowledged this fantastic discovery, tweeting, "These are increasingly rare." His endorsement of the find highlights the significance of these vehicles, both as a part of Tesla's history and as rare collectibles for enthusiasts.

Some Tesla fans have been asking Musk to purchase and display the cars at Tesla factories. But if you're a Tesla aficionado looking to own a piece of EV history, this is your chance! The current owner is accepting bids for this unique set of Roadsters, with a preference to sell them together. However, they're open to splitting them up for the right price.

Roadster Specs

These Roadsters look brand new, inside and out, however the batteries still need to be tested
These Roadsters look brand new, inside and out, however the batteries still need to be tested
GruberMotors (Edited by NATA)

The Tesla Roadster had a 53 kWh battery, which offered a range of about 245 miles (395 km). Its electric motor only produced 248 horsepower, but due to its extremely light chasis, it reached 60 mph in about 3.7 seconds.

The Role of the Roadster in the EV Revolution and Tesla's Meteoric Rise

The Tesla Roadster played a crucial role in the company's history, funding the creation of the Model S and sparking the EV revolution. Launched in 2008, the Roadster was Tesla's first production vehicle and the world's first high-performance electric sports car. Its success proved that electric vehicles could be cool, sexy, and fast, breaking the mold of gas-guzzling automobiles and paving the way for Tesla's future models.

With the Roadsters' impressive performance and the legacy they represent, they're sure to be a prized addition to any collection. So don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of Tesla history that genuinely transformed the automotive industry. The Gruber Motor Company has already received five bids, with the highest being $200,000 for all three. Email your bid to ev@gruber.com and get ready to cruise in a vintage Tesla Roadster integral to the EV revolution.

Tesla Expected to Offer FSD Transfers in Europe

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

It has been a long wait for FSD for European customers, many of whom paid for the feature years ago on now legacy hardware. While the FSD transfer program has come and gone multiple times, there’s something to be said about having it available in North America, where it can be used, and in Europe or other countries, where it still just remains the same as Enhanced Autopilot (differences between Autopilot, EAP, and FSD).

FSD Transfer is a nice goodwill gesture from Tesla that in theory doesn’t cost them anything. Instead, it keeps customers, especially those who have been waiting for years, loyal and happy. It also incentivizes them to upgrade to a newer Tesla with HW4, where FSD will hopefully be achieved.

In a reply to a post on X, Elon agreed with the suggestion that offering FSD transfers in Europe would be a fair solution for those who have already purchased FSD but can’t use its capabilities.

A Fair Solution

FSD Transfer directly addresses a growing concern for many long-term European Tesla owners. Thousands of customers purchased the full package, often many years ago, with the expectation that FSD would eventually be capable and approved for use. However, the reality is that FSD, even as an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), continues to be pushed back in Europe.

As the regulatory process continues at a snail's pace, many of these early supporters are now reaching or have already passed the point where they’re ready to upgrade to a new Tesla.

Without the transfer program, it's a difficult choice: either throw away your original investment in FSD and pay for the package a second time (FSD price history), or subscribe to it in the future.

Offering FSD transfers is a good way for Tesla to meet them halfway. It's a difficult situation, and one that’s being hindered by processes beyond the control of both the customer and Tesla. However, a transfer helps both parties. Tesla sells another vehicle, and the customer gets to keep FSD.

When Will it Be Available?

Based on how FSD transfers have worked in the past following Elon’s announcements, this feature is likely to become available for a limited time period in the coming days or weeks. If it happens, we should expect an announcement from Tesla Europe on X and emails being sent out to Tesla customers.

Once the program is in place, all you need to do is complete your vehicle purchase and then inform your Tesla sales advisor that you’d like to transfer FSD. You don’t even have to sell or trade in your old Tesla; FSD will simply be removed from it as a feature.

Hopefully, Tesla enables FSD Transfers for everyone, regardless of region. It should be an ongoing offer until at least FSD is approved in the given country or region.

Tesla Increases Robotaxi Fare Fee, Up from $4.20

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

The introductory price for Tesla’s Robotaxi Network has finally been updated. In a post on X, Elon Musk confirmed that the new fare would be rolling out to complement the new Robotaxi geofence expansion.

This change marks the first adjustment to Tesla’s fares since the initial $4.20 launch price 23 days ago. While the price increase may seem significant in terms of percentages, when compared to other options in the ride-hailing area, it is still drastically cheaper.

Context Matters

Robotaxi currently operates on a simple, flat-rate model. The new $6.90 fare gets you a ride to anywhere within the recently expanded geofence.

So far, this is the opposite approach compared to other services, such as Waymo or traditional ride-sharing options like Uber and Lyft. All these services use dynamic pricing based on distance, time of day, and demand. A comparable trip on any one of these services could cost anywhere from $30 to $65, and potentially even higher during peak hours.

That doesn’t even include the tip fees for human drivers either - another win for Robotaxi (can you tip a Robotaxi?).

Even with the adjustment, the flat $6.90 fare remains less than half the price of a typical competing ride, making Robotaxi the most affordable point-to-point transportation option in Austin, aside from mass transit, for now.

A “Maturing” Service

The price change, moving from one meme-worthy number to another, is a sign that Robotaxi is finally graduating from its initial pilot phase. Following the first major expansion of the service area, this adjustment is a logical next step towards finding a more sustainable flat price.

While the new fare is a 65% increase over the old fare, the key takeaway is that it is still far cheaper than other options, and still just as meme-worthy. Tesla is aiming to have its early access riders complete as many rides as possible during these early months, and this pricing is still very reflective of that.

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