With the final installment of the Tesla Model 3 release complete, Tesla fans everywhere are wondering if the vehicle lives up to all the hype.
Already Tesla has departed from conventional automotive norms: a keycard will be used in place of a key fob, an enhanced touchscreen display can control all aspects of the vehicle, and the battery range proves to be longer than competitors like the Chevy Bolt.
All the while, the Model 3’s initial price — one that makes all the bells and whistles mandatory for the first models sold — is pushing closer to the $50,000 mark as opposed to the $35,000.
So what do the experts who participated in Model 3 test drives think of the car that could change the automotive industry?
“Stab the accelerator and the car sprints like an Olympic 100-meter champion, thanks to the instant torque provided by its battery-powered electric motor,” wrote Marco della Cava for USA Today.
While the power impressed della Cava, the visibility also turned his head: a two-pane glass roof made it easy to see forward, backward and even upward.
Lance Unlanoff with Mashable had an excellent experience with his test drive.
“This is how an electric car should feel,” wrote Unlanoff. “Hell, this is how all cars should feel.”
He said the new dash system, which features only a 15-inch LCD screen, wowed him, providing excellent visibility and a comfortable feel.
“The Model 3 interior is like a cockpit from the future,” he wrote.
Unlanoff then adjusted the steering wheel using the LCD screen writing, “It was so cool and, I assumed, a more complex way of handling manual steering wheel adjustment. However, Tesla execs explained this takes fewer parts and is just another way they simplified production.”
MotorTrend fell in love with the Model 3 as well, saying the vehicle goes beyond the hype.
“The Tesla Model 3 is here, and it is the most important vehicle of the century,” wrote Kim Reynolds. “Yes, the hyperbole is necessary.”
The Model 3 has definitely made the splash Tesla CEO Elon Musk was hoping for. Based on these reviews, there’s no doubt that the vehicle shows the considerable promise of being the iPhone of the automotive industry.
The real work for Musk and his team, however, starts now. The tech mogul already compared Tesla’s current situation to “production hell,” and the next few months will prove whether Tesla can fulfill the second part of its promise: delivering the vehicle to hundreds of thousands of people.
The Model 3 has impressed, now can production match the hype?
News
Hyundai seeks to expand EV sales in Europe with new Türkiye plant
With a new EV plant in Türkiye, Hyundai is charging toward 100% zero-emission vehicle sales in Europe by 2035.
Hyundai seeks to expand its electric vehicle (EV) sales in Europe with a plant in Türkiye.
The South Korean automaker’s new Izmit plant in Türkiye is expected to strengthen Hyundai’s production capacity while reducing its carbon footprint. The new plant will produce electric models alongside the internal combustion engine (ICE) cars it is currently building.
Production at Hyundai’s Izmit plant will support the company’s need to meet the European market’s demand for sustainable automobiles. The Izmit plant will likely boost EV production in Europe, along with Hyundai’s manufacturing plant in the Czech Republic. It will also get Hyundai one step closer to offering only zero-tailpipe emission vehicles in Europe by 2035.
Hyundai Motor Türkiye, formerly known as Hyundai Assan Otomotiv Sanayi, has been the company’s longest-serving overseas production hub outside of South Korea. It has produced over 3 million vehicles in more than 28 years. Hyundai’s overseas hub has built a network of over 50 local suppliers in Türkiye. Over 55% of the Izmit plant’s vehicle components are domestically manufactured.
News
Multiple Tesla Superchargers allegedly set on fire in MA
The case falls under the Arson Watch Reward Program, which offers up to $5,000 for information that solves, prevents, or detects arson crimes.
Multiple Tesla Supercharger stations were allegedly set on fire in Massachusetts (MA). The preliminary investigation into the Tesla charging station fires concluded they were “intentionally set.”
On Monday at approximately 1:10 a.m., the Littleton Police Department in Massachusetts received reports of fires at a Tesla Supercharger station in The Point Shopping Center.
“Responding officers observed that several Tesla charging stations were engulfed in flames and heavy, dark smoke,” noted the Littleton Police Department.
Police contacted the Littleton Electric Light & Water Department and requested to shut down power at the affected Tesla Supercharger stalls. However, before the electric light and water department could arrive, a new blaze started at another Tesla Supercharger.
After the flames were extinguished the fire at seven Tesla Supercharger stalls, a preliminary investigation started. No injuries were sustained in the fires. Tesla responded, stating that it will replace all the posts and wires at the station in less than 48 hours. The Littleton Police Department started a preliminary investigation into the Tesla Supercharger fire.
“Littleton Police and Fire Departments and the Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating and have determined that the fire appears to have been intentionally set.”
The case falls under the Arson Watch Reward Program, which rewards up to $5,000 for information that solves, prevents, or detects arson crimes.
News
Tesla’s NACS adapters hinted in code for future Apple Maps update
Apple Maps will soon warn EV owners when they need an adapter for routes that include Superchargers.
Navigation warnings referring to adapters for Tesla’s North America Charging Standard (NACS) are set to be added to Apple Maps in a future update, as spotted by one code sleuth this week.
On Monday, X user and code sleuth Aaronp613 shared code from a future iOS 18.4 beta update that includes Maps references to NACS charging adapters, warning drivers when such an adapter is required on certain navigation routes. The code looks like it includes a voice alert and heading message for the Apple Maps navigation system, which can be expected to be added in a future update.
The latest iOS version available at this time for iPhone and iPad is 18.3.1, according to Apple’s website. The anticipated update is also expected to arrive amidst increased cross-platform integration for vehicle owners, as many companies attempt to make it easier for electric vehicle (EV) owners to stay charged and keep tabs on their vehicles.
🚨 Apple looks to be prepping for the takeover of Tesla’s NACS charging connector. It will tell you if it is NACS-enabled or requires an adapter
This appears to be a feature that will be added to a future iOS version https://t.co/afD7qqsbge
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) March 3, 2025
READ MORE ON TESLA SUPPORT FOR APPLE DEVICES: First look at Tesla’s app for the Apple Watch
Many Tesla and other-brand EV owners use an iPhone or other Apple devices, so integration between these and a person’s vehicles are becoming increasingly important. The automaker also launched an Apple Watch app as part of its holiday update in December, letting owners control their vehicles even from the wearable device.
Tesla has also been rolling out widespread access to its Supercharger network to other EV brands over the last several months, and the code is just the latest hint at updates focused on making it easier for consumers to use its charging stations. As more and more brands gain access, drivers of non-Tesla vehicles will also be using the Supercharger network in increasing volumes, making such alerts especially important for making sure new owners are informed and aware of what they might encounter on their navigation routes.
Companies across the industry announced partnerships to adopt Tesla’s NACS charging standard in future vehicle models throughout much of 2023, alongside plans to offer adapters to owners of existing vehicles with the CCS hardware.
Hyundai seeks to expand EV sales in Europe with new Türkiye plant
Multiple Tesla Superchargers allegedly set on fire in MA
Tesla’s NACS adapters hinted in code for future Apple Maps update
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