Author: Declan Murphy

Tesla has published a patent that outlines a potential software-based method to extend the usefulness of its older Full Self-Driving computer hardware, addressing long-standing concerns among owners about hardware obsolescence. The patent, published on Jan. 15, 2026, under the title Bit-Augmented Arithmetic Convolution (US20260017503A1), describes a technique that allows higher-precision artificial intelligence models to operate on lower-precision hardware. The filing was first highlighted by Tesla-focused commentator tslaming on the social media platform X. See also: Tesla Rolls Out FSD v14.2.2 With Incremental Improvements to Driving Behavior Tesla introduced its Hardware 3 (also known as AI3) computer in 2019, when most…

U.S. auto safety regulators have granted Tesla a five-week extension to respond to an investigation examining whether the company’s vehicles violated traffic laws while operating with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system engaged. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday it had extended Tesla’s deadline for key responses until Feb. 23, after the automaker requested additional time to manually review thousands of records to identify incidents potentially relevant to the probe. See also: Tesla Rolls Out FSD v14.2.2 With Incremental Improvements to Driving Behavior The investigation forms part of broader federal scrutiny of Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance technology, as…

Tesla has launched a seven-seat version of the Model Y in the United States, reintroducing a third-row seating option for its best-selling electric SUV alongside a set of minor feature updates for higher-end variants. The seven-seat configuration is now available through Tesla’s U.S. online configurator as a $2,500 option and is offered exclusively on the Premium All-Wheel-Drive Long Range Model Y. The third row, as in earlier versions, is designed primarily for children, reflecting limited legroom and headroom. See also: MotorTrend Names Tesla Full Self-Driving Best Driver Assistance System for 2026 Tesla first announced plans for a seven-seat Model Y…

Tesla is preparing to expand its in-house auto insurance business to Tennessee, according to a regulatory filing that would mark the company’s second new U.S. market for the product in as many months. Tesla Property & Casualty has filed a new private-passenger auto insurance program with Tennessee regulators, with a proposed effective date of March 1, 2026, according to documents first reported by insurance industry publication Coverager. The filing states that the company has “submitted a new private-passenger auto insurance program in the state,” outlining coverage and pricing features tailored to Tesla vehicle owners. If approved, Tennessee would become the…

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software was named the Best Driver Assistance System at the 2026 MotorTrend Best Tech Awards, reflecting improved assessments of the automaker’s driver assistance technology by the U.S. automotive publication. MotorTrend said the latest Version 14 of the software showed marked progress compared with earlier releases that had drawn criticism in previous evaluations. In announcing the award, the publication wrote: “After years of criticizing Tesla’s erratic driver assistance tech, we’ve been converted into acolytes by the latest release, V14.” It added that the system “now delivers a hands-off experience that routinely navigates from driveway to parking spot—and…

Tesla has expanded its Model Y lineup in Europe with the introduction of a new rear-wheel-drive variant that combines reduced equipment with a larger battery, giving it the longest driving range of any Model Y currently on sale. The new Model Y Standard Long Range RWD has appeared in Tesla’s German and Dutch online configurators at a price of €46,990, following the launch of a stripped-down entry-level Model Y priced at €39,990 in Germany last October. The new variant is not currently available in the UK. See also: Tesla Suffers Broad European Slump in 2025 Despite Model Y Refresh According…

A new lawsuit has been filed against Tesla following a fatal crash in Idaho that killed four members of the same family, with the plaintiffs alleging that the automaker’s driver-assistance technology failed to keep the vehicle in its lane and contributed to the accident, The Independent reported. The complaint, filed by surviving family member Nathan Blaine, relates to a Sept. 1, 2023 crash involving a 2022 Tesla Model X on Idaho State Highway 33. According to the filing, the vehicle abruptly crossed into an oncoming lane while navigating a gentle curve and collided head-on with a semi-truck, killing Jennifer Blaine,…

Tesla reported a second consecutive annual decline in global electric vehicle deliveries in 2025, with a sharper drop in the fourth quarter underscoring mounting pressure from intensifying competition and weaker demand in key markets. The U.S. electric vehicle maker delivered 418,227 vehicles globally in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to figures released by the company. That represented a decline of about 15% from a year earlier and left Tesla well short of the more than 570,000 deliveries needed in the quarter to prevent a full-year contraction. See also: Tesla Reports Record Expansion of Global Supercharger Network in 2025 Tesla…

Tesla has produced its six-millionth electric drive unit at its Nevada manufacturing complex, marking another major production milestone for the U.S. automaker as it continues to scale operations across its global footprint. The company said on Wednesday that the milestone was reached at its Gigafactory Nevada site, where drive units — integrating the motor, gearbox and power electronics into a single system — are manufactured for use in Tesla vehicles assembled in North America. The announcement was shared by Tesla’s manufacturing team on social media, accompanied by images of the milestone unit. See also: Tesla’s 4680 Battery Plans Face Headwinds…

Tesla said on Tuesday that it has produced its 9 millionth electric vehicle at its Shanghai factory, marking another milestone for the U.S. automaker’s largest manufacturing base worldwide. The milestone vehicle was a Model Y, which the company said remains the world’s best-selling passenger vehicle. The Model Y topped global passenger vehicle sales in 2023, according to data from JATO Dynamics, and retained the top position in 2024 based on figures from Statista, Tesla said. The Shanghai-made vehicle underscores the factory’s central role in Tesla’s global production and export strategy. See also: Tesla Cybertruck Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Rating…

Tesla has launched an internal engineering review into the performance of the Cybertruck’s oversized windshield wiper, according to service documentation shared by vehicle owners, indicating the issue extends beyond isolated repair cases. The review centers on the Cybertruck’s single-blade “gigawiper,” a distinctive design intended to clear the vehicle’s large, steeply angled windshield. Service records show that while routine repairs and component replacements have been carried out, Tesla has escalated the matter for further engineering analysis, suggesting potential systemic considerations related to design or performance. See also: Tesla Cybertruck Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Rating for 2025 According to the service…

U.S. auto safety regulators have opened a new review into the design of emergency door releases on certain Tesla Model 3 vehicles, following a petition alleging that the manual release mechanism may be difficult to locate or operate during emergencies. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said its Office of Defects Investigation began evaluating the issue on Dec. 23 after receiving a petition from Georgia-based Tesla owner Kevin Clouse, who raised concerns about the accessibility of the mechanical door release in 2022 model-year vehicles. According to NHTSA documents, the petition claims the emergency release is “hidden, unlabeled, and not…