Update on Tesla's Hollywood Drive-In Theater and Diner (Video)

Tesla Diner Update

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The transformation of the former Shakey's Pizza Parlor and Restaurant into Tesla's groundbreaking diner and drive-in theater is rapidly taking shape in Hollywood, with new aerial footage from SkyFOX providing an exciting glimpse into the future of electric vehicle charging and entertainment.

Located at the coveted 7001 W. Santa Monica Boulevard, the site is transforming, as seen from the aerial footage. The initial phases of construction reveal a unique Tesla ecosystem emerging, promising a blend of retro flair and futuristic charging technology. The vertical construction and groundwork, visible from the skies, mark significant progress since Tesla's announcement last May.

The Diner and Drive-In Experience: A Glimpse from Above

This isn't just another Tesla Supercharger station; it's an entertainment center designed to cater to electric vehicle owners' needs and pleasures. The aerial view shows the layout for the 34 electric vehicle charging stations, including 29 Superchargers, a clear indicator of Tesla's commitment to accommodating a broad range of electric vehicles. The construction site hints at the scale of the diner and the drive-in theater, which are set to redefine the EV charging experience.

Vision for the Tesla Retro Diner

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Adding to the excitement, there's a buzz about wait staff possibly serving food on roller skates, a nostalgic nod to the classic American diner culture. Although the menu remains a mystery, the possibility of such retro elements has piqued public interest, especially among those who remember the site's past life.

Tesla's Cinematic Appeal in Hollywood

In related news, Tesla's electric vehicles have become Hollywood’s favorite, according to Teslarati, which reported on a study by Auto Trader UK. Despite a general lack of traditional advertising, Tesla’s vehicles, led by the flagship Model S, have dominated Hollywood’s electric car appearances.

Tesla is the Star, Julia Roberts is the co-star

Netflix/X

Tesla's Model S sedan stands out with a remarkable 419 appearance, leading the study's pack. Following closely is the Model 3, securing its position as the second favorite among Tesla models in Hollywood, with 167 appearances. The Model X also makes its mark with 149 appearances, while the Model Y crossover has been spotted 38 times. Not to be overlooked, Tesla's inaugural vehicle, the original Roadster, has graced the screen 46 times.

Tesla's journey from a niche electric car manufacturer to a leading character in Hollywood's narrative is evidence of the brand's impact and the world's evolving relationship with electric vehicles. This diner project, along with Tesla's increasing screen presence, signifies a future where sustainability and technology are not just part of our transport choices but also our cultural fabric.

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Tesla FSD in Europe: June Update

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The road to bringing FSD to Europe has been a long and complex one and filled with regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles. Elon Musk, as well as other members of Tesla’s AI team, have previously voiced their grievances with the regulatory approval process on X.

However, it appears that there is finally some progress in getting things moving with recent changes to upcoming autonomy regulations, but the process still seems slow.

Waiting on the Dutch

Elon commented on X recently, stating that Tesla is waiting for approval from Dutch authorities and then the EU to start rolling out FSD in Europe. Tesla is focusing on acquiring approvals from the Dutch transportation authority, which will provide them with the platform they need to gain broader acceptance in Europe. Outside of the Netherlands, Tesla is also conducting testing in Norway, which provides a couple of avenues for them to obtain national-level approval.

The frustration has been ongoing, with multiple committee meetings bringing up autonomy regulation but always pulling back at the last second before approving anything. The last meeting on Regulation 157, which governs Automated Lane Keeping Systems, concluded with authorities from the UK and Spain requesting additional time to analyze the data before reaching a conclusion.

Tesla, as well as Elon, have motioned several times for owners to reach out to their elected representatives to move the process forward, as it seems that Tesla’s own efforts are being stymied. 

This can seem odd, especially since Tesla has previously demoed FSD working exceptionally smoothly on European roads - and just did it again in Rome when they shared the video below on X.

FSD Supervised testing in Rome, Italy

Pending regulatory approval pic.twitter.com/TXh3uQIfrx

— Tesla Europe & Middle East (@teslaeurope) June 12, 2025

DCAS Phase 3

While the approval process has been slow, Kees Roelandschap pointed out that there may be a different regulatory step that could allow FSD to gain a foothold in Europe.

According to Kees, the European Commission is now taking a new approach to approving ADAS systems under the new DCAS Phase 3 regulations. The Commission is now seeking data from systems currently operational in the United States that can perform System-Initiated Maneuvers and don’t require hands-on intervention for every request.

This is key because those are two of the core functionalities that make FSD so usable, and it also means that there may not be a need to wait years for proper regulations to be written from scratch. Now, the Commission will be looking at real-world data based on existing, deployed technology, which could speed up the process immensely.

What This Means

This new, data-driven regulatory approach could be the path for Tesla to reach its previous target of September for European FSD. While the cogs of bureaucracy are ever slow, sometimes all it takes is a little data to have them turn a bit faster in this case.

Alongside specific countries granting approval for limited field testing with employees, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for FSD in Europe, and hopes are that a release will occur by the end of 2025. With Europe now looking to North America for how FSD is performing, Tesla’s Robotaxi results could also play a role.

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Tesla Launches 'TeslaVision' Contest With Big Prizes — See Last Year’s Winner [VIDEO]

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Tesla’s marketing has always been relatively unconventional, relying on word-of-mouth rather than traditional advertising. The passion of the owner’s community is always massive, but it is especially high now with the launch of the Robotaxi network just around the corner.

Tesla is now tapping into that spring of fan creativity and announced the TeslaVision video contest, with some seriously impressive prizes up for grabs.

Announcing the TeslaVision fan video showcase

Tesla owners & supporters have always been able to see our products & mission for what they truly are.

Your word of mouth has made Tesla what it is today.

The OGs will remember that in 2017, we held our first video contest. 8 years… pic.twitter.com/6pPpkqmqOH

— Tesla (@Tesla) June 10, 2025

The Contest

The core of the contest is simple. Create a video that shows how your Tesla gives you more in life. Tesla is looking for submissions that highlight themes of freedom, safety, fun, and convenience.

Prizes

The prizes definitely make this contest worth entering if you’re good with a camera and have some basic video editing abilities.

For North America, the prizes include a brand new Model Y AWD Long Range, alongside an all-expenses-paid trip to Austin for a tour of Giga Texas. The grand prize winner will also be able to custom order their Model Y, allowing them to select their preferred wheels and color.

The two runners-up won’t get a Model Y, but they’ll also enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Giga Texas for a tour of the factory.

The travel and tour include lodging in Austin for 2 nights, as well as economy-class round-trip tickets from anywhere in North America. Tesla will also provide a vehicle for use during the trip.

Hopefully, these winners will also have the opportunity to experience the Robotaxi network while they’re in Austin, as it’s expected to be opened to the public later this month.

Project Loveday

For long-time followers of Tesla, this contest may feel familiar. The contest is a direct throwback to the 2017 Project Loveday contest, which was inspired by a letter to Tesla from a 10-year-old aspiring marketer. That contest was won by MKBHD, with his submission below:

How to Enter

If you’re ready to start filming, here are the key pieces of information you’ll need to know:

• Video must be 90 seconds or less

• Video must be uploaded to YouTube with a public URL

• Make a post on X and Instagram tagging “@Tesla” and include the words “TeslaVision contest” in the post.

• Provide links to both social media posts in your submission to Tesla’s form

• Provide your personal details in the form

• You have until July 17th, 2025, or until Tesla receives 10,000 entries, whichever comes first.

You can find the official submission form and all region-specific details on Tesla's website.

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