Tesla's Labor Struggle in Europe: A Deep Dive into the Ongoing Conflict

Mechanics in Sweden are on strike and it is spreading

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The Tesla Model Y has been Sweden's bestselling vehicle for months as that country continues to embrace electric cars fully. However, the love affair with the biggest EV maker in the world has gone sour.

Tesla is currently embroiled in a labor dispute that has expanded across Scandinavia and is stirring significant attention in the international community. This situation presents a complex interplay between union demands, corporate policies, and cultural differences in labor practices.

Origins of the Dispute: Swedish Mechanics Take a Stand

The conflict originated in Sweden with a strike by about 120 mechanics and members of the IF Metall union. Tesla's engagement in collective bargaining is central to their demands – a standard labor practice in Scandinavia, which Tesla has so far resisted. The mechanics are not seeking higher pay but insist on Tesla honoring the principle of collective bargaining, highlighting an ideological clash between U.S. corporate culture and Scandinavian labor norms.

Escalation and Regional Solidarity

The labor action swiftly gained momentum, with various Swedish sectors expressing solidarity. The conflict reached Denmark, where the largest trade union announced a sympathy strike, further complicating Tesla's logistical operations in the region. The Danish union's decision to halt shipments of Tesla cars to Sweden exemplifies the strong regional support for collective bargaining rights and worker solidarity.

Tesla's Reaction: Legal Actions and Public Statements

Tesla has responded to the strike with legal actions, filing lawsuits against the Swedish Transport Agency and the postal service. Elon Musk has publicly criticized the strike and the involvement of postal workers, which he termed “insane.” This response indicates a broader resistance from Tesla towards unionization and collective bargaining, consistent with Musk's known stance against unions.

It wasn’t long ago that it appeared that the new next-generation, $25,000 vehicle would be produced in Europe at Giga Berlin. However, perhaps due to the ongoing dispute, Musk has stated that the high-production vehicle will be made in North America, as originally planned.

A Crossroads for Tesla and European Labor

The dispute's expansion into Denmark and potential spread to Norway and Germany indicates a growing resistance against Tesla's labor policies. This situation places Tesla at a crossroads: adapt to the European model of labor relations or continue its current approach, potentially risking market stability and brand reputation in Europe. The outcome of this conflict could have far-reaching implications for Tesla’s global operations and the dynamic between multinational corporations and labor unions.

Tesla’s Challenges Ahead

Tesla's refusal to sign collective bargaining agreements is rooted in its corporate philosophy and Musk's vision of a flexible, innovative workforce. This stance, however, clashes with the Scandinavian model of labor relations, which emphasizes collaboration between employers and unions. The standoff has brought Tesla's labor policies into the spotlight and poses a significant challenge to its operations and reputation in Europe, which has embraced EVs.

As Tesla navigates this challenging situation, the company must weigh its corporate philosophy against the entrenched labor practices of its regions. The resolution of this dispute will impact Tesla's future in Europe and set a precedent for international labor relations and the balance of power between global corporations and local labor practices.

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Tesla’s New Signal Viewer Panel in Service Mode+ Allows You to View Real-Time Data

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Tesla’s latest software update, version 2025.2, brings new features to Service Mode, continuing the trend of improving in-vehicle diagnostics.

Currently, this feature is only available for vehicles with AMD Ryzen infotainment systems and requires Service Mode+, which is a subscription service aimed at technicians. Intel-powered vehicles aren’t supported yet, but we expect this feature to roll out to them as well unless hardware limitations prevent it.

Thanks to Spencer for providing an image of the panel in action.

Signal Viewer Panel

While update 2025.2.6 adds four service mode improvements, including updates to brake burnishing, charge port calibration, and noise recording panel improvements. In this article, we’ll focus on the new signal viewer panel.

This new panel offers a live data feed from selectable vehicle sensors. You select the signals you’re interested in and it’ll plot the signal on a graph. In addition to allowing you to view real-time signal data, it also allows you to record them.

The signals are searchable and can be easily added or removed from the panel. You can track up to 10 sensors, and the UI allows three of them to be viewable at once.

However, this is Service Mode and it’s more than just pretty looks. You can really dig down into these charts. You can pan them left and right through time, and tapping a specific point shows the exact value of that signal. The panel also supports pinch-to-zoom, enabling you to adjust the time scale across all panels simultaneously.

This feature is exclusive to Service Mode+, which requires a subscription to Tesla’s ToolBox3 software and a connection to a computer. It’s designed to help technicians diagnose issues related to signal quality, noise in the vehicle’s electrical systems, and signal variance in components during driving.

We’re excited to see Tesla’s continued focus on repairability, especially with additions like the Cybertruck’s Interactive Wiring Diagram and the launch of the Tesla Online Parts Catalog, which lets customers purchase parts directly.

Plus, with the reduced cost of ToolBox 3 subscriptions, even DIY enthusiasts now have access to tools that make Tesla repairs more accessible.

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Tesla Introduces New Model Y Variants in Europe; Ends Launch Series

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Tesla has updated its Model Y lineup in Europe, introducing new standard configurations while discontinuing the limited-edition Launch Series. With the new variants now available, European customers will have more choices and cheaper options to pick from.

The Launch Series and some of its exclusive features will no longer be offered—except in the UK, where it remains available alongside the new lineup.

New Models Introduced

Tesla’s new Model Y lineup in Europe includes three main variants. The prices vary slightly from country to country.

• Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): Priced at €44,990, this model is the most affordable new Model Y, but it also has the shortest range and is missing a few features available on other trim levels.

• Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (LR RWD): Available for €49,990, this version is essentially the same as the RWD model, but with a larger battery. It has seen a €1,000 price increase compared to the outgoing Long Range RWD model.

• Long Range All-Wheel Drive (LR AWD): At €52,990, this model has seen a price drop of €2,000, making it a better deal than the previous LR AWD Model Y. This is also the only new Model Y to come with most of the same features as the Launch Series, including additional speakers, a subwoofer, premium materials inside the cabin and improved acceleration. Acceleration boost should also become available for this model, letting it match the performance of the Launch Series.

All Model Y variants come with all the improvements that we’ve discussed about the new Model Y, including the new front and rear light bars, improved aerodynamics, ventilated seats, improved heat and sound isolation, and the 8-inch rear touchscreen. Some exclusive options, like the Midnight Cherry Red paint, appear to no longer be available. However, Tesla has already said that they’ll be introducing new paint options for the Model Y in North America.

Compare Model Y Variants

Here’s how the various Model Y variants compare to each other:

Launch Series Ends

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The Launch Series, which debuted just weeks ago in Europe, has now been phased out. This limited-edition model was priced at €60,990 and included a suite of premium features comparable to a bundle deal you may find with other products. It came equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD), Acceleration Boost, and exclusive badging on the rear liftgate, door sill plates, and puddle lights.

While the Launch Series is no longer available for new orders in most European countries, customers can still get a similar vehicle by opting for the Long Range AWD model and manually adding premium features like FSD. Acceleration Boost, which was standard in the Launch Series, is expected to become available for purchase once these vehicles are delivered or soon afterward. However, some exclusive elements, such as badging and trim details, will remain unique to the discontinued edition.

For now, the UK remains an exception, still offering the Launch Series alongside the newly introduced models.

Performance Model Still to Come

With Tesla now introducing the expected variants of the refreshed Model Y, one notable absence is the Performance model. While the Launch Series was fast due to the Acceleration Boost addon, there’s no doubt the Performance version will be in a league of its own.

What we saw Tesla do with the 2024+ Model 3 Performance variant was more than just using binned motors. The vehicle featured unique bumpers, a spoiler, an improved suspension, sport seats, Track Mode V3 and other features that made the vehicle stand out compared to the Model 3 AWD.

The Performance version of the new Model Y is expected to become available later this year, however, expect it to carry a $5-$8k premium over the AWD model.

Other Regions to Follow

As Europe phases out the Launch Series, other regions are expected to see similar changes. With the other models now revealed, owners in other regions have a better idea of whether they should buy the Launch Series or wait for the additional models to arrive.

Tesla naturally adjusts its offerings based on market demand, and if sales of the Launch Series remain strong in other parts of the world, Tesla will likely wait it out a little longer before offering the other models.

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