Tesla Space #89: no new Model Y L for you

Welcome to the Tesla Space newsletter, our 90^th issue.

…yes, the headline mimics a certain popular catchphrase. If you caught that, we can be good friends. You’ll also soon read what I meant by this.

Here’s what I’ve got for you this week:

• Tesla Model Y L is… not coming to the US any time soon?

• It seems that Tesla might launch FSD in Australia this Friday.

• Watch tip: Highest ever Tesla Light Show with 200 Teslas on Pike’s Peak.

• Cybertruck is officially launching in South Korea.

• Tesla expands the robotaxi area in Austin again.

• SpaceX Starship test flight 10 was successful!

…and more, as always. Enjoy!

— Jaan

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X of the week

So… wow. This caught nearly everyone I know by surprise.

The only logical answer to why the Model Y L wouldn’t be produced in the US the same way it launched in China hides in the first words of Elon’s post.

“This variant”

We know Tesla is still planning to introduce more models this year — perhaps there’s something that falls into a similar category so Tesla would avoid some duplication here?

Here’s hoping. 🤞 I really like what they’ve done with the Model Y L.

PS! If you enjoy these reports and want to support us, consider becoming a Tesla Space Insider — it will also level up your knowledge in all things Tesla, and we’ve got something big coming up.

TESLA NEWS

Tesla teases a big Australian announcement this week, on August 29th. Is it about FSD, or something else? It seems pretty sure now it is FSD, considering this video which seems to actually break the news already, and a longer video here.

Also on August 29th, something interesting is happening at Giga Texas, as “selected individuals” have received this invite:

• Tesla may increase Model Y pricing in the coming days in the US, and increase production output. “Trying hard not to, will see,” says Raj Jegannathan on Tesla MY inventory running low across the US (the race for fed tax credits is in full swing). The new Model 3 & Y estimated wait times in the US have also gone from 4-6 weeks to now 5-6 weeks.

• On the topic of federal tax credits which end September 30th - the IRS clarified that if a buyer signs a binding purchase contract and makes even a small downpayment before Sept 30th, they lock in the eligibility. This means that Tesla and other EV players don’t perhaps experience such a huge sales drop in Q4 that we would have assumed before.

• Watch tip: World Record for the Highest Tesla Light Show, with 200+ Teslas on Pike’s Peak at 14,115ft.

• Tesla really went all out on Electrify Expo in San Fransisco this weekend, with four Tesla Semis pulling trailers with different Teslas for test drives - video here.

• It looks like Tesla might not kill Model S and X in Europe after all - regulatory filings hint at a 2026 model certified. I’d assume it’s just the refresh that will hit.

VEHICLES

Tesla is launching Cybertruck officially in South Korea.

In case you feel like browsing a website from Tesla but not on Tesla’s site but rather on the Korean platform Naver — check it out here.

Meanwhile, the Cybertruck Long Range RWD now qualifies for the $7,500 Massachusetts EV truck rebate, which means you can buy the truck new for $54,990 when you combine it with the $7,500 federal EV credit (expires Sept 30th).

• Tesla launches turn signal stalk retrofit for Model 3 in China. Yes, you can get that stalk back, for $350.

• Tesla Giga Berlin built the 100,000th New Model Y.

• Looks like the Model Ys will also be coming to Canada from Giga Berlin — Tesla has secured approval for its upcoming 2026 Model Y Long Range manufactured at its Giga Berlin factory, to qualify for Quebec’s $4,000 provincial rebate. Tesla does this to avoid the 100% tariffs on China-made EVs and 25% tariffs on US-made ones.

• Tesla Model Y Performance was spotted around Nurburgring with new features - 21’’ rims, new rear carbon fiber spoiler, looks like new diffuser, updated brakes, all black headliner, bucket seats similar to Model Y L in China.

• Tesla is now offering a monthly wheel and tire protection plan that can be managed right from the Tesla app, now available for all cars. Starts at $12/mo. Covers unlimited tire repairs from road hazards, though replacements have a small deductible, and details like curb rash or cosmetic fixes are not included.

• Here’s the Light Gray interior of the new Model Y L in China, released later (I share these so you’d know what might trickle back to our markets at one point as well).

  

• Tesla took delivery of a very large package at their new Semi Factory in Nevada. It appears like it could be a stamping press for the Tesla Semi. The production of Semi should start within the coming months.

FSD & ROBOTAXI

Tesla again expanded its geofence for the robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. Here’s the comparison now with the current Waymo area:

The latest robotaxi app update says the ride now arrives locked and will automatically unlock as you walk up (have to ensure the app has Bluetooth access enabled). The “Find my Vehicle” feature seems rather useful as well, with the app showing the arrow and distance to your robotaxi live. See it on video here.

Watch tip: “Grok in my Tesla while on FSD translates a Spanish-English conversation with an Uber passenger”, a 4-minute video. I found it at random from JC, and was really surprised how fluent this can actually be.

Tesla Japan has reportedly begun testing its FSD tech on public roads in Japan. Its employees started tests this summer, and the company plans to release the FSD software to the public in the near future, pending compliance with safety standards and guidelines. Elon also confirms that Tesla is “waiting on regulatory approval” for FSD in Thailand.

Also, Elon:

And he also says "FSD Version 14 is the second biggest update to Tesla AI/Autopilot ever after V12. It feels alive.”

An upcoming software update will feature “Low Power Mode”, giving owners more control over standby energy use, addressing the long-standing issue of vampire drain when the car is parked for extended periods.

Also, something interesting in China, Tesla has integrated DeepSeek into its in-car voice assistant for customers in China. DeepSeek is a Chinese equivalent to our ChatGPT and the like. Seems pretty sure that Tesla can’t use Grok in China, so this ensures they won’t fall behind in the most technically advanced market in this sense. Every proper EV out of China these days have an AI voice assistant, which can often control many features of the car.

PS! If you enjoy these reports and want to support us, consider becoming a Tesla Space Insider — it will also level up your knowledge in all things Tesla.

MUSKONOMY

SpaceX / Starlink

Elon shared this pic above with the caption “Standing under Starship”.

He also commented that its 33 engines, each more than twice the power of all 4 engines on a 747. Elon also commented that “Starship V4 will have 42 engines when 3 more Raptors are added to a significantly longer ship. That will fly in 2027. Starship V3 is a massive upgrade from the current V2 and should be through production and testing by end of year, with heavy flight activity next year.”

He also gave some direction on reusability and actual feasibility in this post:

Elon also says he expects SpaceX’s revenue is to exceed NASA’s entire budget (~$20B) next year. He also confirms how SpaceX will only receive around $1B out of NASA’s budget this year in total revenue, all won in competitive bids, and there are zero handouts.

Also, see the Starlink “mini laser” shown in a video which will connect third-party satellites and space stations into the Starlink constellation. The mini laser is designed to achieve link speeds of 25 Gbps at distances up to 4000 km, and was recently successfully tested in orbit on a satellite launched on Starlink G10-20.

Elon comments “Lasers in space”. I felt compelled to add this picture he has once shared here:

The StarShip Flight 10 was a success!

Another controlled landing of the Starship into the Ocean, and a spectacle in the end:

The Starship just completed its 10th test flight which was rescheduled first due to oxygen leak, then yesterday for weather. Follow the Livestream here, mission overview and recap here, or scroll the SpaceX for the best recap moments.

And here’s a 50-minute video of SpaceX's Chief Engineer (Elon Musk) and VP of Starship Engineering Bill Riley talk about Starship. There are also great high quality shots from inside the Starbase, including the new Mission Control room.

Here’s a great 47-second video of the Starship flight trajectory on this test.

Here’s a video SpaceX showed of how the more advanced V3 Starlink satellites will deploy on Starship. Each Starlink launch will add more than 20x the network capacity of current Falcon 9 flights.

And here’s a 2-minute video from SpaceX of its Starlink facility in Redmond, Washington.

And a short video of Dragon approaching the ISS.

Lots to watch this week if you’re a space geek like us! Oh, and the Starship launch was directly streamed on the 66-foot screens at Tesla’s Diner.

Oh, and… SpaceX finally officially confirmed the small bit of info what we shared with you weeks ago — it has its first customer for services to Mars, with the Italian Space Agency.

xAI / Grok

X and xAI, have officially sued Apple and OpenAI, saying Apple and OpenAI have “colluded” to maintain monopolies in the smartphone and generative AI markets.

The America Party

If the Wall Street Journal Report is true, then Elon is “pumping the brakes” on forming the party. WSJ writes: “Elon wants to focus his attention on his companies. He is pumping the brakes on his plans to start a political party and is considering using some of his vast financial resources to back Vance if he decides to run for president in 2028.”