Elon Musk responded to the newest staggering EV sales numbers with a sarcastic yet realistic post: "The competition is coming." The Tesla CEO has heard that for years, but the latest numbers from Reuters show that no manufacturer is even close in the EV race; in fact, all of the others could combine, and they still can't match Tesla's dominance.
Between January and June 2023, Tesla sold a whopping 325,291 electric cars in the U.S. That's way more than any other company. General Motors' Chevrolet sold the second most, but only 34,943 vehicles. Ford, Hyundai, and Rivian sold even fewer. Tesla's Model Y and Model 3 cars are the most popular, selling 200,000 and 160,000 each.
Other Companies Are Having a Hard Time
While Tesla sells many cars, other companies like Ford are struggling. Ford had to stop building a big $3.5 billion battery plant in Michigan because they were losing money. They expected to lose $4.5 billion on their electric cars in one year. They are also facing labor strife, with the union demanding a 30% pay raise and a reduction of hours.
Many car companies are spending a lot of money to make electric cars and batteries, but they're not selling enough to make a profit. They need to figure out how to make their cars more popular.
More People Are Buying Electric Cars, But Mostly Teslas
Tesla dominates EV sales in the U.S.
Not a Tesla App
More and more people are buying electric cars. They made up 8.9% of all vehicles sold in the U.S. in the first half of 2023. That's almost 1 in 10 vehicles. But, there are 103 different models of electric cars, so the sales are spread out among many brands.
Tesla is also helping to make electric cars more affordable. They used their profits to lower prices and sell more cars. The average price of an electric vehicle dropped to $53,376 in July 2023, down from nearly $70,000 the year before. This makes it easier for more people to buy electric cars and join the green movement.
Globe Appeal
While the latest numbers looked at just the U.S., there are stories from around the world showing Tesla's dominance. The company marked a significant achievement by having over 50,000 vehicles on the roads, with 20,000 of them being Model Y crossovers, as shared by Tesla Regional Lead Kim Gaba Jensen on LinkedIn.
This growth is noteworthy, considering the number of Teslas in Denmark was just above 4,000 when Jensen joined the company in 2018 and around 12,000 at the end of 2020. This rapid increase in Tesla vehicles reflects the brand's growing popularity in the country, constituting nearly 2% of all cars on Danish roads. This milestone was confirmed and celebrated on social media platforms, including X, with Tesla Europe expressing gratitude to its Danish customers.
Tesla's ongoing supremacy in the electric vehicle sector remains unchallenged, as it sets unprecedented sales records and experiences monumental growth globally, with Denmark being a prime example. The struggle of competitors like Ford exemplifies the challenges other automotive companies face trying to find a foothold in this Tesla-dominated market. Remember, the company hasn't even introduced the vehicle it believes will be the best-selling EV.
Tesla’s latest FSD update, version 2024.27.5 brings some improvements when parking your vehicle. This is another undocumented, but one we’re happy to see.
Most recently, the Cybertruck received the undocumented change for the Hands-Free Frunk opening (video below). The Cybertruck also recently received Vision Park Assist, which included steering wheel guides in the visualization showing the direction the front and rear wheels were turned. However, it turns out this isn’t just for the Cybertruck.
Update: We’ve updated this article to mention that this feature isn’t included in update 2024.32 yet.
Quick video on the auto frunk. It's literally 🧍♂️📐
Due to the Cybertruck’s unique rear-wheel steering and steer-by-wire design, Park Assist in the Cybertruck displayed the path of the front wheels, and how they would swing while reversing.
This enhancement is also coming to every Tesla vehicle in FSD 12.5.2 and later. It’s also expected to be available in a future update for non-FSD vehicles. However, it’s unclear whether it will be a later revision of update 2024.32 or the next major Tesla update. This is a neat little update, as it helps drivers better understand and predict the path their vehicle will take during a turn.
Brandon, going by @teslaflexx on X, originally spotted the new visuals recently on an AMD-based Model Y running 2024.27.5 and FSD V12.5.2.
Any vehicles who are on update 2024.27.5 or 2024.27.20 should have access to this new feature.
Looks like Cybertruck wasn’t the only vehicle to get the new guide visuals with park assist. Much better than the lines! pic.twitter.com/tF9ZsWCcWy
Tesla’s Cybertruck has been used as an awesome off-road vehicle so far, with some great videos from both Tesla themselves, as well as many owners who have been challenging difficult off-road obstacles.
One frequently requested feature, however, is additional armor for the Cybertruck to improve its off-road capabilities. Wes Morril, Program Manager for the Cybertruck, has confirmed that Tesla will be introducing Battery Armor and Rock Sliders as retrofit “options” by the end of 2024.
Battery Armor
The Cybertruck’s underbody plate, while not completely unarmoured, isn’t exactly super thick, and can leave the battery exposed if the weight of the truck is left on a high-center point or a sharp rock. This upcoming battery armor will be similar to the armored undersides offered by other companies specifically for off-roading.
Rivian, for example, sells armor as a single package for $3,950 USD, or $5,800 CAD, along with a 20” wheel upgrade, full-size spare, and a utility panel including an air compressor and enough hose to let you reach any of the tires when airing up or down your tires for off-road. Tesla’s upcoming Battery Armor will be a retrofit option, unlike Rivian’s – which can only be added when purchasing the vehicle.
Rock Sliders
The Cybertruck has a simple and clean bottom corner – but that also means that it exposes the plastic trim directly. Rock sliders go on the bottom edge of off-road vehicles between the wheels to protect the vehicle's body. Rock sliders are a pretty common modification, and some companies have already begun to offer them for the Cybertruck – but a first-party OEM option is always best.
This is especially true since most third-party options use the lift points of the vehicle to attach rock sliders, which can make replacing wheels or lifting the vehicle difficult without removing the third-party additions. This adds considerable time to what should be a quick job.
Release Date
We’re looking forward to Tesla bringing these options to the Tesla store in the coming months. Wes said they’d be available as retrofits before the end of 2024, along with the upcoming Winter Tire Package, which is arriving next month. The Winter Tire Package is already available to order for Cybertruck owners.
TeslaFi logs your drives and charging sessions, letting you keep a log of your vehice's activity. We highly recommend checking them out if you use your car for business trips and would like to keep track of reimbursements, if you like to see how much you spend on charging or if you just love statistics. Visit their site and see everything they have to offer!
Tesla Android Project enables you to run Android apps in your Tesla. The platform is Open Source and you can deploy it on your own Raspberry Pi 4. Consider supporting the initiative by donating or purchasing the Compute Module 4 Bundle that delivers the best experience. Get $20 off by using the code: NotATeslaApp
The official Tesla app only notifies you if your car is broken into. By installing Sentry Pro on your phone, you will be notified for all Sentry Mode events. Stay connected and avoid potential surprises by receiving notifications. Stop constantly checking the cameras to ensure safety. Check only when necessary, save battery and get peace of mind. Get a 7 day free trial here!
Stay organized, connected, and stylish with Cyberbackpack — the #1 backpack, luggage & travel accessories for Tesla owners. We highly recommend checking them out if you commute or travel and would like a backpack or luggage that is sleek, secure and durable. View their products page and see everything they have to offer!
Enhance Auto’s innovative products elevate your Tesla experience. The customizable S3XY Buttons and Knob offer seamless control over vehicle features with a simple press or turn. Visit enhauto.com to explore their full range of products and transform your driving experience today!
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Although we share official Tesla release notes, we are not affiliated with Tesla Motors. We are Tesla fans and supporters.
