YouTube/T Sportline - Tesla Upgrades & Accessories
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Tesla had a lot of challenges in making the seemingly indestructible Cybertruck, but it appears the Achilles' heel is the tires, or more specifically, what is on the tires. The aero wheel covers are causing an issue, as insightfully documented by T Sportline - Tesla Upgrades & Accessories on their YouTube channel. Cybertruck deliveries started in December, which opens a conversation about Tesla's design and Goodyear's role in this scenario.
Identifying the Friction Point
The Cybertruck's futuristic design extends to its aero wheel covers, which have been flagged for causing excessive wear on the tire sidewalls. This issue was brought to light through detailed observations in T Sportline's video, revealing that the covers' design could lead to potential problems after extensive use. Given that Goodyear has been identified as the manufacturer of these specialized tires, questions arise about the testing and validation process of such an integral component of Tesla's electric pickup.
The wheel covers have been spotted on test versions of the Cybertruck for years, and so too have the Goodyear's tires. The collaboration between Tesla and Goodyear on this aspect begs the question: Should Goodyear have conducted more rigorous testing to anticipate the real-world implications of the cover's design on tire wear?
A video shared on X revealed several Cybertrucks poised for delivery, notably without their wheel covers. It appears Tesla has recognized the problem and promptly ceased dispatching Cybertrucks equipped with the existing aero covers. This implies an inevitable redesign of the aero covers, along with a potential revamp of tire design by Goodyear. The tire company recently unveiled new EV-specific tires.
Tesla's Proactive Stance and Future Directions
While Tesla is at the helm of the Cybertruck's overall design, including the aero covers, Goodyear's expertise in tire manufacturing also places some level of responsibility on their shoulders. It's essential to consider whether the testing protocols for these tires adequately reflected the unique dynamics introduced by the aero covers.
This scenario highlights the complexities of automotive design and the need for comprehensive testing that simulates real-world conditions as closely as possible. Both Tesla and Goodyear have an opportunity to learn from this experience, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and communication between vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers. As Tesla works on redesigning the aero covers, there is a valuable lesson in ensuring that every vehicle component, down to the tires, is optimized for performance, safety, and longevity.
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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.
— 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.
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
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.
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.