Musk Pledges Enhanced Focus on Tesla After Hiring Twitter CEO; All New Hires Require Approval

Musk names a Twitter CEO, allowing him to devote more time to Tesla

Elon Musk's foray into Twitter leadership has been a topic of considerable debate among Tesla's shareholders. Many have expressed concerns about the possible dilution of his focus from Tesla, the electric vehicle behemoth he has built from the ground up. With Linda Yaccarino's appointment, Musk is set to devote more time to Tesla, allaying shareholders' concerns.

Musk's Reinforced Commitment to Tesla Sparks Investor Enthusiasm

Investors have welcomed the commitment to rechannel his efforts towards Tesla. Despite Musk's extraordinary ability to manage multiple ventures, the recent downturn in Tesla's stock price had sparked calls for him to focus more on the automaker. This latest move has led to a fresh wave of optimism among investors who believe Musk's undivided attention could rejuvenate Tesla's fortunes.

Enhanced Control over Tesla's Hiring Process: Musk's New Directive

In parallel to this development, Musk has enacted a new hiring policy at Tesla. As per the new directive, all potential hires, including contractors, require his personal approval. This extends Musk's control over the operations of Tesla and, according to him, ensures that every addition to the team aligns with the company's vision and objectives.

While some see this as a potential slowdown in Tesla's hiring rate, others view it as a strategic move that could sharpen the company's focus on quality over quantity. As Musk settles back into the driver's seat at Tesla, the world will watch with bated breath to see how these developments impact the automaker's trajectory.

The recent events reaffirm Musk's determination to guide Tesla through the turbulent waters of the automotive industry. As the new era at Tesla unfolds, stakeholders can expect renewed vigor and innovative strategies to bolster the company's standing in the global EV market.

Musk's Tweet Approval Legal Battle Continues Amidst New Developments

As Musk navigates these recent changes, he also continues to face legal issues related to his Twitter activity. Musk's 2018 settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over his controversial tweets, which required all of his posts to be approved by a Tesla attorney, is still a matter of contention.

The agreement followed a turbulent period in which Musk's tweet about taking Tesla private at $420 per share led to a significant surge in the company's share price, despite funding not being secured. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan recently upheld the requirement for Musk's tweets to be approved first by a Tesla attorney, dismissing his claims that the decree violates his First Amendment rights.

The ongoing legal battle adds another layer of complexity to Musk's leadership dynamics. While his recent decisions signal a refocusing of his energies on Tesla, his Twitter-related legal challenges underline the intertwined nature of his roles across the technology and automotive sectors.

This heightened scrutiny of his leadership comes at a pivotal moment for Tesla as it navigates a competitive EV landscape and strives to maintain its position as a global industry leader.

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Tesla Improves Wrap Services: Cuts Prices Drastically, Adds New Colors and Expands Availability

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After canceling the in-house wrap program for the Cybertruck last month, Tesla has reintroduced the program with a lot of changes. Let’s take a look at the original program, then we’ll dive into what’s changed.

Tesla began the wrap program for the Model 3 and Model Y in the fall of 2023. With the arrival of the Cybertruck, Tesla launched Matte Black and Satin White options for the Cybertruck and later added 11 more colors.

These are high-quality PPF (Paint Protection Film) wraps, which protect the paint in addition to changing the color of the vehicle. PPF is thicker, lasts longer, and is far superior to traditional vinyl wraps, but unfortunately, the service is only available if your vehicle is brand new.

When the program shuttered last month, many people were disappointed about the closing as it allowed owners to bundle the cost of the wrap service into the vehicle’s financing.

New Wrap Prices

First things first - the price of the wraps has dropped considerably, and Tesla does not appear to be using a different material - it is still PPF, not vinyl. These new prices are a lot more comparable to third-party offerings that normally use vinyl wraps.

Tesla initially offered 11 wrap colors, but that selection has now been reduced to eight per vehicle. Interestingly, the color options vary by model—Model 3 and Model Y owners have their own distinct palette. The Cybertruck also boasts its own unique set of colors, though unfortunately, the popular Satin White option is absent from its catalog.

Of course, the ever-popular Matte Black is still available, along with a fairly unique set of other vivid colors.

New Locations

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When the wrap program launched, it was limited to just three locations in California and one location in Texas. That meant that unless you were taking delivery at West Covina, Oceanside, Costa Mesa, or Santa Clara, you’d be unable to get a first-party wrap done by Tesla.

Now, under the new program, Tesla is offering wraps out of all the original locations and adding Seattle, Washington. What initially seemed like Tesla scaling back its wrap service has turned out to be to them making it more affordable and efficient.

New Purchases Only

For now, the wrap offers are still constrained to new vehicle purchases—you won’t be able to have Tesla wrap a vehicle that’s already been delivered. Paint damage and scuffs can impact the installation of PPF and require additional time to smooth out the vehicle surface.

Either way, with cheaper wrap options, Tesla is now directly competing against third-party wrap shops when it comes to wrapping vehicles in PPF. While it’s still a bit more expensive than you’d find elsewhere, it also comes with a level of care and precision from technicians intimately familiar with your vehicle.

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Tesla Increases Price of Model S; Starts Offering Free Lifetime Supercharging

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For the first time in quite a while, Tesla has increased the price of one of its vehicle offerings. The Model S Long Range and the Model S Plaid have both received a hefty price increase. However, not all is bad - as Tesla also added a new benefit for buyers.

Price Increase

The price increase for the Model S is $5,000 - currently only in the United States. This price increase will likely impact other markets, including Canada, in the coming days.

The Model S Long Range now starts at $79,990, while the Model S Plaid now starts at $94,990. The Model S and Model X now have the same starting price. Interestingly, that’s also the same pricing point for the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast Trimotor non-Foundation Series. 

The vehicle configuration does not appear to have changed, so the new pricing is simply an increase rather than the addition or removal of features. Tesla previously cut the price of the Model S and Model X by 15% in 2023, so this could simply be an adjustment to ensure that the vehicle pricing stays in line with inflation and other factors.

Free Lifetime Supercharging

For those on the fence about ordering a Model S, Tesla has brought back Free Lifetime Supercharging when you order a new Model S on or after December 13, 2024. As always, Free Lifetime Supercharging is restricted to the buyer’s Tesla account and to that specific vehicle. It cannot be transferred to another vehicle or another owner after ownership transfer. It’s worth noting, that it also doesn’t exclude the owner from receiving Supercharger idle fees or congestion fees. There is currently no end date for this promotion.

There are currently no changes to the Model X, neither a price increase nor the addition of Lifetime Superchargering. However, when Tesla makes changes to one of their premium vehicles, it usually affects the other one as well. So be on the lookout for potential changes to the Model X offering in the coming days.

We’ve seen Tesla value Lifetime Supercharging at $5,000, so this falls in line with the price increase we’re seeing. It’s possible that Tesla will begin to bring back Lifetime Supercharging as a perk for buying into their more premium Model S and Model X cars, or this could be another temporary promotion to get buyers who are on the fence to go ahead and make their purchase while this promotion lasts.

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