Tesla has launched a self-serve demo drive initiative, offering prospective buyers an entirely new way to experience the brand. Potential Tesla owners can now get behind the wheel of a Model S, 3, X, or Y without talking to a sales representative. This approach offers a hassle-free experience and aligns with the company's emphasis on automation and customer convenience.
Omar, better known as WholeMarsBlog posted on X that Tesla is now offering self-serve demo drives. After finding a location that offers self-serve demo drives, you can schedule a date and time for the drive. Once booked, customers are prompted to set up a Tesla account, which provides keyless access to the demo vehicle. The process is further streamlined by allowing users to input their driver's license details directly into the Tesla app.
Locations
The self-serve demo drive location Omar found is in Emeryville, California, where Tesla was born, and has a huge following; it's unknown if this feature is widely available nationwide. You can check if a location is available near you on Tesla's 'Drive' section of their website.
Rethinking the Traditional Car Sales Model
Tesla's drive to shake up the stagnant automotive industry extends beyond its sustainable products to its unique approach to vehicle production. Elon Musk must've encountered one too many car salespeople as the company has succeeded with the direct-to-consumer model, which has been shown to offer a distinct advantage.
By directly owning the sales channel, Tesla ensures an integrated customer experience. Interactions are streamlined with customers dealing exclusively with Tesla-employed staff. There is no haggling, commission, or headaches, which are far too familiar for anyone who has stepped foot on a car lot.
Digital Prowess: Taking Sales Online
Tesla's embrace of technology has significantly revolutionized the car buying process. This latest step now ensures the buying process can be controlled entirely by customers, from a test drive to rolling away with your new ride. Customers are in control the whole time. They can customize and order their vehicle online and finalize purchases without setting foot in a showroom.
Tesla again takes the sleazy feeling out of buying a car by respecting its customers and not trying to sell through stereotypical TV commercials — instead, the company banks on the power of word-of-mouth. Tesla effectively transforms every owner into a brand ambassador by producing stellar vehicles. The company credits these owners for referring new customers, fostering a strong sense of community around the brand.
With the introduction of self-serve demo drives, Tesla continues its streak of industry-redefining innovations. Given the warning from the company that the tax incentive may be reduced soon, it would be a good time to book a self-serve test drive.
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Rendering of what Tesla's license plate feature could look like
Not a Tesla App
Tesla update 2024.38 has started rolling out to several regions and vehicles. Thanks to Tesla hacker Greentheonly, we have a behind-the-scenes look at some new features coming to Teslas.
License Plate Display
According to Greentheonly, it looks like Tesla may soon let you display your actual license plate in the vehicle’s visualization on the screen. In our article, The Most Request Tesla Features, several readers suggested displaying the vehicle’s license plate in the visualization instead of a blank, white plate.
It looks like Tesla will be doing just that, at least in China. Green found references that appear to conclude that you’ll be able to display your vehicle’s plate on screen. This will likely be user input, so you could have it say anything you’d like, and it doesn’t have to be your actual license plate.
For many owners, who may find it difficult to remember their license plate, this could serve a practical purpose in addition to adding to the visualization's realism.
While Green was only able to say it’ll be available in China, we expect this is due to China’s software development team working on it and that it’ll eventually be released worldwide.
While code for this feature was found in update 2024.38, we may not be turned on in China yet. We suspect this feature may be a strong candidate for Tesla’s upcoming holiday update.
FSD Hardware Version Display
As part of the 2024.38 update, Tesla has now made it easy to determine whether your vehicle includes Hardware 3 or Hardware 4. You can now simply navigate to Controls > Software and tap Additional Vehicle Information. In addition to other hardware information about your vehicle, your Autopilot hardware version will now be listed as well.
You can see whether your vehicle has HW2.5, HW3, or AI4. This in-car display is useful, but if you don’t have access to the vehicle, you can always use our guide on how to determine the hardware version of a Tesla.
New Battery Health Test & Service Mode Improvements
Green found some additional things as well. There’s a new and improved Battery Health Test. The new test will show you how your car scores compared to similar vehicles in the Tesla fleet.
In addition, maintenance records can now be permanently stored “in the car.” It doesn’t appear that this feature is activated yet, but it’s likely in active development with some parts leaking out in the 2024.38 update.
Tesla has included various Service Mode improvements and new visualizations in this update.
Mr Li on X came across some covered-up Project Juniper vehicles recently and he managed to get various shots of the vehicle.
Juniper Images
This front image reveals what looks like two rows of lights, possibly confirming the front light bar for the Model Y refresh — similar to the one on the Cybercab.
The rear side has a lot of lights on it!
Mr Li on X
The rear side shows a ton of brake lights, but it’s not clear why. While it looks like the Model Y refresh will also feature a rear light bar similar to the Cybertruck, there isn’t strong evidence of that in this photo.
Mr Li on X
There's an obvious set of lights at the bottom, so it looks like the Model Y refresh will be similar to the new Model 3 where the bottom lights can operate as brake lights when the one-piece tail lights and trunk are up.
Mr Li on X
In the last photo, we see that the overall form factor of the refreshed Model Y will remain unchanged, and Tesla is focusing the changes on the front and rear ends of the vehicle, much like the Model 3 refresh. However, in this one shot, we can also see what appears to be red light leaking out of the rear camera cover opening, possibly due to the rear light bar.
The Model Y is not only Tesla’s best-selling vehicle but also the world’s best-selling car in 2023. This year, it’s expected to be the best-selling vehicle in the United States and again in the world, so this refresh will be huge for Tesla.
@DominicBRNKMN made another fantastic set of concepts based on these new images. Given he had the most accurate Model 3 Highland concept before the official launch, we’re pretty sure his latest work be close here as well.
@DominicBRNKMN
We’re super excited to see the eventual reveal of Project Juniper, which is expected in the first half of 2025. However, expect to see a few more leaks before production kicks off at Giga Shanghai.
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