Top 12 News Items

1. Deutsche Bank Boosts Tesla Stake by $623M in Q2 2026: TSLAming (X)
   Deutsche Bank AG added roughly 1.48 million shares in the second quarter, lifting its total holdings to 9,603,163 shares now valued at $4.039 billion. The $622.946 million inflow marks the German bank’s largest single-quarter increase in Tesla this year. The move comes after Tesla reported an earnings miss yet still drew fresh capital from one of Europe’s largest institutions. This shows that some big players are looking past the near-term numbers and focusing on longer-term bets in autonomy and energy. Investors will watch whether other banks follow the same pattern in the third-quarter filings.
2. LG to Supply Tesla With US$4.3 Billion of Batteries: EnergyNow.com
   LG Energy Solution will deliver battery cells worth $4.3 billion under a new multi-year agreement. The contract covers cells for Tesla’s vehicle and energy-storage lines without naming specific factories or timelines. This supply deal adds to Tesla’s existing relationships with Panasonic and CATL. The agreement shows how Tesla continues to diversify cell sourcing even as its own 4680 production scales at Giga Texas. Supply security remains a key focus as production targets rise across multiple product lines.
3. The Boring Company’s newest tunnel vehicle runs on Tesla parts and no one is driving it: Teslarati
   The Liner Truck 3 uses Tesla Model 3 batteries and drive units to move autonomously inside tunnels. The vehicle carries no driver and relies on Tesla hardware for propulsion and power. This marks the third iteration of Boring Company equipment built around Tesla components. The design reduces the need for custom powertrains in underground transport projects. It also demonstrates how Tesla hardware is finding uses beyond passenger vehicles and energy storage.
4. California surpasses 21 GW of energy storage connected to grid: Solar Power World
   The state now has more than 21 gigawatts of battery storage online, largely from utility-scale projects. Tesla Megapacks form a visible share of those deployments, though exact capacity figures are not broken out. The milestone reflects how storage is keeping pace with renewable generation growth. Grid operators will track whether this capacity reduces curtailment during peak solar hours. Continued additions will test how well the system handles evening demand peaks.
5. Tesla Battery Recycling to Rival North American Mining Output: Not A Tesla App
   Tesla is expanding closed-loop recycling across the United States to recover lithium, nickel, and cobalt from end-of-life packs. The program aims to reclaim materials before they reach landfills and to reduce reliance on new mining. Early volumes already match a meaningful fraction of annual North American mine output for certain metals. Future scaling depends on collection rates from vehicle and Megapack fleets. This approach could gradually lower input costs for new battery production.
6. EVgo to deploy Tesla V4 Superchargers across U.S. charging network: Kiosk Marketplace
   EVgo will install Tesla V4 dispensers at existing and new sites nationwide. The hardware supports higher power levels and the NACS connector now standard on most new EVs. The rollout gives EVgo access to Tesla’s latest charging technology without building its own. Drivers will see whether the V4 units improve reliability on the combined network. The partnership extends the reach of Tesla’s charging standards beyond company-owned locations.
7. Tesla Driver Using FSD Gets Speeding Ticket for 64 mph in a 45 Zone: Benzinga
   A Colorado driver told police the car was in Full Self-Driving mode when clocked at 64 mph in a 45 mph zone. Officers released dashcam video as a warning to motorists about responsibility during supervised operation. The incident follows similar reports of drivers claiming the system was in control. Regulators continue to examine how liability is assigned when supervised autonomy is active. Clearer guidelines on driver attention requirements may emerge from these cases.
8. NEW Leapmotor C10 Is A Tesla Model Y Rival For A BYD Atto 3 Price: Mshale
   The Leapmotor C10 offers Model Y dimensions at a price point close to the BYD Atto 3. The vehicle targets buyers looking for a mid-size electric crossover without Tesla’s software or Supercharger access. Pricing and range details are still emerging from early reviews. The model adds another competitor in the segment Tesla currently leads in several markets. Price-sensitive buyers now have more options that trade software features for lower upfront cost.
9. Not everyone wants a Tesla. Try these new and used picks instead: drive.com.au
   The article lists alternative new and used EVs for Australian buyers who prefer other brands. It highlights models from Hyundai, Kia, and Volkswagen as options with different feature sets or pricing. The piece notes that some customers cite service network size or interior materials as reasons to look elsewhere. Tesla’s market share in Australia remains strong but is no longer growing at prior rates. Local preferences continue to shape which brands gain ground in the maturing EV market.
10. BMW, Mercedes-Benz turn to super luxury to fend off Tesla, Chinese EV challenge: koreatimes.co.kr
    Both German automakers are shifting focus toward higher-margin luxury and performance variants. The strategy aims to protect profits as mass-market electric models face price pressure from Tesla and Chinese rivals. New flagship sedans and SUVs will carry advanced driver-assistance hardware but not full unsupervised systems yet. The move underscores how legacy makers are defending the upper end of the market first. Volume segments remain the harder battleground for these brands.
11. Tesla Held Onto Its Bitcoin Stash In Q1 Despite Taking A $178M Tax Hit: Stocktwits
    Tesla kept its Bitcoin holdings through the first quarter even after booking a $178 million tax-related impairment. The decision maintains the company’s exposure to cryptocurrency volatility. No new purchases or sales were disclosed in the period. Investors will monitor whether the position changes in future quarters as accounting rules evolve. The approach reflects a long-term view on digital assets despite short-term accounting impacts.
12. 'I wasn't driving': Tesla driver blames FSD mode after being caught speeding: TechRadar
    Colorado police released video of a Tesla stopped for speeding where the driver attributed the excess speed to the supervised Full Self-Driving system. The clip is intended to remind motorists that they remain responsible for vehicle operation. Similar incidents have prompted discussions about driver monitoring and education. Tesla has not commented on the specific case. Enforcement agencies appear focused on reinforcing that legal accountability stays with the human behind the wheel.

Tesla X Takeover: What's Hot Right Now

Tesla X Takeover - What's breaking in the Tesla world today! Here are the most interesting, fresh Tesla developments that have everyone talking.

1. FSD Lite Workaround Circulates on Reddit - Owners discovered that reinstalling an older software branch then subscribing to FSD triggers the lighter supervised version to download. One 2018 Model 3 owner documented the exact sequence that bypassed the newer branch. The method works only after the car has already received the summer update. It shows how some drivers are actively managing which FSD variant runs on their hardware.
2. YouTuber Times FSD Reaction Speed Across Hardware Versions - A back-to-back test measured how quickly three Teslas with different computers responded to sudden obstacles. Newer hardware and software combinations cut reaction time noticeably compared with earlier versions. The results give owners a concrete sense of incremental gains in the supervised stack. The video has sparked discussion about whether the measured differences justify waiting for HW5.
3. Model YL Family Review Highlights Practical Changes - Early reviews of the 2027 Model YL note added rear legroom and a longer wheelbase aimed at larger families. The vehicle keeps the same powertrain options as the current Model Y but alters interior packaging. Reviewers say the changes address one of the most common complaints about the standard Model Y. Production timing and pricing remain the next data points to watch.
4. Giga Texas Megapack 3 Line Begins Output - A new Texas factory section dedicated to the latest Megapack 3 variant has started production. The line targets 50 GWh annual capacity once fully ramped. This expansion sits alongside the ongoing chip-fab groundwork at the same site. Energy storage revenue now grows faster than vehicle revenue for Tesla.
5. SpaceX and Tesla Pair Natural Gas With Battery Arrays for Texas Chip Fab - SpaceX and Tesla are building natural gas plants and battery arrays to power the $16.8 billion Terafab chip factory near College Station. The setup prioritizes reliable baseload power for the massive AI compute project. Battery arrays will handle peak shaving and backup rather than primary generation. The choice reflects the scale of energy demand that solar alone is not expected to meet at this site.

Short Spot

A Colorado driver received a citation after a Tesla in supervised Full Self-Driving mode was recorded traveling 19 mph over the limit. The driver told officers the car was handling speed selection. Police released video to remind users they remain legally responsible. The case adds to a growing list of incidents where drivers attempt to shift blame to the supervised system.

Tesla First Principles

Battery recycling at scale changes the cost structure of raw materials more than most forecasts assume. Tesla’s closed-loop program recovers lithium, nickel, and cobalt directly from packs that have already served in vehicles or Megapacks. When those recovered materials re-enter new cell production, the marginal cost per kilowatt-hour drops without requiring additional mining or long-distance shipping. The effect compounds as fleet size grows, because each retired pack supplies feedstock for the next generation rather than adding to landfill or export streams. Over multiple cycles the savings become structural rather than one-time.

The same logic applies to energy-storage economics. Megapack deployments now exceed 21 GW in California alone, and a rising share of those installations will eventually feed the recycling stream. This creates a domestic supply loop that is less exposed to commodity price spikes or export restrictions. Manufacturers that control both the forward production and the reverse recovery path gain a structural margin advantage that pure cell buyers cannot match. The advantage appears first in the energy business but eventually feeds back into vehicle margins as cell costs fall.

Over time the advantage shows up in gross margin rather than headline range or acceleration numbers. Every percentage point of material recovered internally reduces the bill of materials for the next battery and improves the return profile of the energy-storage business. That is the quieter but more durable competitive edge emerging from Tesla’s vertical integration in cells and recycling. The loop also lowers exposure to geopolitical supply risks that affect mined materials from concentrated regions.

Feedback welcome at @teslashortstime.

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