Week 35/25 Update: Model Y Performance, BYD's Progression, Lidar Controversy, Cybertruck Prospects

Tesla News Roundup: Model Y Performance Price Hike, Cybertruck Progress, and Competition in Europe

In the world of electric vehicles, Tesla continues to make headlines. Here's a roundup of the latest developments:

Price Increase for Model Y Performance in Germany

The price of the Model Y Performance has seen a €2,000 increase in Germany, now retailing at €61,990. This is a change from the previous model's price.

Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) Software Advancements

CEO Elon Musk has announced that the upcoming version 14 of Tesla's FSD software will drive two to three times better than a human. However, Musk emphasised that this improvement will not be immediate upon release.

Cybertruck Sales and EU Regulations

Sales of the Cybertruck have commenced in South Korea, and the EU is now beginning to implement an agreement that opens up new opportunities for the Cybertruck. However, regulations on pedestrian protection within the EU currently prevent the Cybertruck from being type-approved.

Regulatory Shifts and Tariff Changes

The European Commission decided in summer 2025 to recognize the US vehicle approval standard, including for Tesla's Cybertruck, in Europe. This decision paves the way for cars from the USA to enter the EU with 0% tariffs, and the reverse direction with 15% tariffs under the new agreement. The USA and EU are also working towards mutually recognizing their automotive certification standards.

Competition in the European Market

In a significant shift, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD sold more electric vehicles in Europe in July than Tesla for the first time. Tesla's EU registrations fell by 42.4% to 6,600 units in July, while BYD's tripled to 9,698 electric vehicles.

Model Y Performance Upgrades

The Model Y Performance has returned to the European program with a sportier front and rear, and the front seats have more side support. Acceleration to 100 km/h has improved by two tenths to 3.5 seconds in the Model Y Performance. The new Model Y Performance version also boasts a battery with about 5 kilowatt hours more capacity than the Long Range versions, enabling a WLTP range of 580 kilometers.

Tesla's FSD Software Availability

Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software is now available to paying customers in Australia, further expanding its reach.

Absence at IAA in Munich

Tesla has decided not to present the Model Y Performance at the IAA in Munich in mid-September.

Previous Tesla News Articles

For those interested, previous news articles about Tesla include Tesla Week 29/25 and Tesla Week 31/25.

As these developments unfold, it will be interesting to see how Tesla navigates the changing landscape in the electric vehicle market, particularly in Europe. Stay tuned for more updates.