Tesla Registers the Cybertruck in China - Chinese Cybertruck Coming Soon?

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

Elon Musk previously mentioned that he’s interested in sending off Tesla’s new flagship vehicle - the Cybertruck - to other parts of the world. We’ve seen trucks pop up everywhere, from Britain, Germany, Dubai, and China.

When the Cybertruck launched, it was immediately available for purchase in the U.S., while Canadian deliveries only began last month. Beyond its arrival in Canada, however, there has been no official word about the Cybertruck being introduced to other countries.

Elon Musk mentioned that the Cybertruck would have to see some potential design changes to adhere to regulations in some regions - such as rounding off some of the edges of the Cybertruck to adhere to European safety requirements. While these changes haven’t necessarily been made just yet, Tesla has indicated they do eventually intend to offer the Cybertruck for sale globally.

Chinese Registration

Tesla has officially registered the Cybertruck with the Minister of Industry and Information Technology and acquired the Automobile Energy Consumption Label. That’s the equivalent of the North American Monroney Sticker - a label that must be adhered to the vehicle somewhere at either import or completion of manufacturing.

The label is public information, and thanks to @MrTeslaTom on X, we’ve got a breakdown and translation of the sticker. We stuck with the key information here, and we’ll break down what it means afterward.

  • Manufacturer: Tesla (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

  • Model: CTTM

  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 3,104 kg

  • Maximum Design Total Weight: 3,700 kg

  • Drive Type: Pure Electric

  • Rated Drive Motor Power: 206/222/222 kW

  • Range: 618km

  • Production Date: December 11, 2024.

There’s nothing particularly unusual here, but the manufacturer is listed as Tesla (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Interestingly, Tesla’s imported Model S and Model X vehicles are also labeled as manufactured by Tesla Shanghai, despite being produced in the United States—just like the Cybertruck.

As such, we don’t necessarily expect Giga Shanghai to start producing Cybertrucks just yet, but it could be possible in the future. However, this sticker is necessary for the sale of Cybertrucks in China - and with its arrival, we expect Tesla to release the truck in the country soon.

Chinese Foundation Series?

When the Cybertruck finally arrived in Canada, it was initially offered as a Foundation Series, even though the Foundation Series had already ended in the US. Tesla is likely to offer the Foundation Series again to its first Chinese customers, just as it did in Canada.

We’d be surprised if Tesla skipped the Foundation Series in China. It’s much more lucrative for Tesla because it bundles several services and accessories into the Cybertruck’s price. The Foundation Series includes lifetime Premium Connectivity, FSD, Powershare capability, and several accessories.

In addition, many well-to-do customers are more willing to purchase an exclusive model—like the Foundation Series with its special dash and exterior etchings—at a higher price in China.

All in all, it looks like Tesla is preparing to release a Foundation Series Cybertruck in China, possibly with deliveries beginning in mid 2025.

Tesla’s LFP Factory in North America Almost Complete — More LFP Vehicles Could Follow

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

In a new video posted to X, Tesla is showing the progress of its first Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cell manufacturing factory in North America. The facility, located in Sparks, Nevada, will be used to produce LFP battery cells for Megapacks and Powerwall.

However, the implications of this new factory extend beyond Tesla Energy. By on-shoring the production of these cost-effective batteries, Tesla is not only securing its energy supply chain but also opening the door to potentially reintroducing LFP-based vehicles in North America.

Megapack First

The immediate beneficiary of the new Nevada LFP facility is Tesla’s Energy division. LFP chemistry is ideal for stationary storage products like Megapack and Powerwall. It offers a very long life cycle, is extremely thermally stable and safe, and is significantly cheaper to produce than nickel-based batteries, partly because it contains no cobalt.

Until now, Tesla has relied on suppliers like CATL in China for these cells. A dedicated, domestic supply will enable Tesla to dramatically ramp up Megapack production to meet North America’s increasing demand for grid-scale energy. On the other hand, Megafactory Shanghai continues to utilize CATL’s LFP batteries and will support the rest of the world. 

Tesla first revealed that they were planning to onshore LFP production in North America at the Q1 2025 Earnings Call, which will help them avoid costs, innovate in new technology, and insulate themselves from geopolitical supply chain risks.

A Potential Return for LFP Vehicles?

Another exciting application for Tesla is what this new factory means for Tesla’s budget-oriented lineup. For years, Tesla has been constrained in its ability to offer LFP-based vehicles in North America. While LFP packs are used in other markets for specific standard-range RWD vehicles, tariffs on important Chinese cells made it difficult to import these cells for use in North America.

With a domestic supply of LFP cells produced in Nevada, this tariff-related barrier will be mostly eliminated, pending the sourcing of lithium from a North American site. This is likely to lead to the reintroduction of LFP-based vehicles to the North American market, possibly in late 2026 or 2027.

An American-made LFP pack could lead to a more affordable base Model 3 or Model Y, or potentially help Tesla cut costs on the next-generation Affordable Model even further. This helps to give customers a lower-cost entry point without sacrificing a lot of range, and with the added benefit of being able to regularly charge to 100%.

Mega Nevada

With Mega Nevada now progressing well, Tesla is in an excellent position to continue iterating on its vertical integration and scaling Megapack and Powerwall—two of Tesla’s fastest-growing businesses—further. There are tons of benefits for consumers in the future as Tesla continues down this path, with more affordable Powerwalls for the home, cheaper electricity prices thanks to grid-forming Megapacks, and cheaper LFP vehicles.

Tesla Grok App: First Look at Its Interface and Features

By Karan Singh
@greentheonly on X

The next major upgrade for Tesla’s in-car experience is pretty much already here - just hiding beneath the surface, awaiting the flick of a switch. According to new details uncovered by Tesla hacker Greentheonly, a fully functional version of the Grok conversational AI assistant is already present in recent firmware builds, just waiting for Tesla to activate it.

The feature, which is currently behind a server-side switch, could be enabled at any time by Tesla for vehicles running update 2025.20 and newer. The findings provide a better picture of what we already learned from Green’s breakdown on Grok last month.

Grok’s Requirements

@greentheonly on X

According to what Green determined from the latest software builds, the foundation for Grok was laid with update 2025.14, with more abilities and functionality added in 2025.20 to flesh it out. He also determined exactly which vehicles will be receiving Grok.

In terms of hardware, any vehicle with a Ryzen-based infotainment computer will receive Grok. This means that vehicles with the older Intel Atom processor will not be supported, at least initially. The underlying Autopilot hardware is not a factor, as Grok’s processing is not done in-vehicle.

Grok will also require premium connectivity or a Wi-Fi connection for the vehicle. At this point, we’re not sure whether Grok in your Tesla will also require you to sign up for SuperGrok, X Premium, or X Premium+, but Tesla is requiring you to sign into your Grok account. It’s just not clear whether the free version of Grok will work, or if you’ll need the premium version.

Grok User Experience

@greentheonly on X

Green also revealed the user interface for Grok for the first time. You’ll find many of the same features from the Grok app, but surprisingly, it looks like it’ll have a dark UI, even if you’re using light mode in your vehicle.

It appears that there will be a Grok app, likely for settings. However, Grok will largely operate in a modal, similar to voice commands, which are displayed near the bottom left corner of the screen.

There’s an on-screen microphone button, as well as drop-down menus for the voice and type of assistant you’d like to use. 

Similar to the Grok app currently on mobile devices, you’ll be able to select from a set of voices and then define their personality. The available voices for now are the standard Ara (Upbeat Female), Rex (Calm Male), and Gork (Lazy Male).

There’s also a settings button, which, when expanded, allows you to enable or disable NSFW mode (including swearing and adult topics), as well as a Kids Mode, which will tone Grok down to be suitable for when kids are in the car.

@greentheonly on X

How Grok Will Work (Button / Wake Word)

Users will be able to activate Grok by pressing a button, likely the same one that activates voice commands today. Grok will then remain enabled for the duration of your conversation, allowing you to go back and forth, asking and answering questions. To end your conversation, you’ll press the mic button again.

While it doesn’t appear to use a wake word yet, Green says that some code refers to a wake word, so it’s possible that this could be an option Tesla plans to activate in the future.

Replacing Voice Commands

The most significant implication of Grok’s future integration is in its potential to fully replace the existing and relatively rigid voice command system. Green notes that internally, this feature is part of the car assist module, and that eventually, the plan is for Grok to take over car control functions.

Unlike the current system, which requires specific phrases, a true conversational AI like Grok can understand natural language. This will enable more intuitive requests, completely changing how drivers interact with their car.

Language Support

@Greentheonly/X

Grok will also launch with multi-language support, similar to its current abilities in the Grok app. Green says that it already appears to have support for English and Chinese and one or two other languages.

Release Date

Grok appears ready to go from a vehicle standpoint, but Green wasn’t able to actually test it out. While development appears to be nearly complete in the vehicle, Tesla and xAI may still be working on some server-side changes to better integrate with the vehicle. If they plan for Grok to replace voice commands on day one, then it’ll need to be trained and be able to execute a variety of vehicle commands.

It’s possible Tesla is actively testing Grok or adding server-side changes to replace voice commands. However, it looks like vehicle development is nearly complete and Grok could launch as soon as the next major Tesla update, which is expected to be update 2025.24.

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