A late-night Elon Musk post on X has this writer wondering if the Matrix has a glitch. For over a year, credible Tesla-focused websites and the mainstream media have referred to the Tesla Model 3 as the "Highland." But the company’s CEO says the Highland name “is not real,” although it has been seen in various Tesla documents. The cryptic message comes just 24 hours after the new Model 3 launched in North America. Is Musk simply joking, or is there a deeper meaning to his words?
Reuters was the first to use the word Highland. On November 28, 2022, the news outlet ran an “exclusive” story citing “four people with knowledge of the effort” of a revamped version of Model 3 codenamed "Highland." The name made sense. Although the exact origin remains unknown, there were intriguing theories:
Historical Reference to Ford: Some believe "Highland" might refer to Ford Motor Co's Highland Park plant, the birthplace of Ford's revolutionary assembly line.
Cinematic Nod: Others speculate that the name could be a homage to the 1986 film "Highlander", known for its immortals' battle and the iconic line, "there can only be one." This theory aligns with Musk's penchant for movie references and quirky humor.
A few weeks after the report, the mysterious partially covered Model 3s appeared around California. The name Highland took off from there.
Musk vs. Mainstream Media: A Turbulent Narrative
Elon Musk's relationship with the mainstream media has been tumultuous, marked by a series of confrontations and criticisms. His stance has been particularly conspicuous since he acquired Twitter. This ongoing battle with the press can be seen as a backdrop to the "Highland" mystery, casting Musk's latest tweet in a different light.
Perhaps his dismissive comment about the "Highland" codename might not be a straightforward denial but a nuanced swipe at media credibility. Considering that Reuters, a major news outlet, was the first to report on Highland, it could be interpreted as a continuation of his broader skepticism towards media reporting, mainly when it involves narratives about Tesla.
This dynamic adds an intriguing layer to the story, where the "truth" of the Model 3 "Highland" becomes not just a matter of fact but also a symbol in the larger narrative of Musk's complex relationship with the media. As Musk continues to engage in this media tug-of-war, each tweet and statement becomes a potential chess move in an ongoing battle of narratives.
Tesla Community Reaction
Seriousness aside, the internet did not fail to bring a few laughs in the replies to Musk’s post. Some played with the idea of it being part of a grand simulation, adding a touch of sci-fi flair to the debate. Others jokingly asked if this was all just a clever trick or even a plot twist worthy of a movie. The popular “TMFINR” meme showed up a few times.
A few users leaned into humor and parody, echoing the playful skepticism that often accompanies Musk's cryptic messages. Amidst the laughter, there were genuine queries and theories, with several pondering if "Highland" was just an internal project name or something more.
Rumors and conspiracy theories weren't far behind, as some speculated about hidden meanings and possible secret projects. This led to various interpretations, from outright dismissal to earnest theorizing. Could it also have been used to identify who was leaking information? There are a lot of leaks! YoursYour's truly was reminded of a classic Creed line from The Office:
Overall, the community's response was a lively mix of jest, confusion, and curiosity, showcasing the engaging and speculative environment that Musk's tweets often create. It's a unique relationship between Musk, his projects, and his audience, where a single tweet can ignite a spectrum of imaginative and playful discussions.
The Model 3 "Highland" story continues to blend mystery and speculation, fueled by Musk's latest remarks. The “Highland” name was used internally, as it has shown up in several internal documents, so Musk's post causes some confusion. Does he possibly mean that Highland isn’t a part of the (final) product’s name and shouldn’t be used by media to differentiate it from the previous generation?
Whether a clever ruse, a misunderstood codename, or a media misinterpretation, it is a fascinating example of Tesla's cultural impact. Dare we ask if Juniper is real?
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Following customer requests, Tesla has once again returned FSD Transfers for North America. This comes after some new details we received on FSD Supervised and Unsupervised at the recent Q1 2025 Earnings Call.
Vox Populi, Vox Dei … FSD Transfer is back
All countries (in NA), all S3XY + @cybertruck (excl Foundation Series & Launch Series)
This latest round of FSD transfers doesn’t have a specific time limit - so if you’re in the market for a new vehicle and were worried about transferring FSD from a HW3 vehicle - now is the best chance.
This transfer opportunity is applicable for any new vehicle purchases, including the Model S, 3, X, Y, as well as the Cybertruck. The only vehicles it doesn’t apply to are the Foundation-Series Cybertruck or a Launch-Series Model Y, which already come with FSD included.
If you’re conducting an FSD transfer, you’ll need to reach out to your Tesla delivery coordinator through the Tesla app to confirm you’re eligible and to get the process started.
Note that once you take delivery, FSD access is removed from your older vehicle, regardless if you plan to trade in your vehicle or keep it.
Canada and Mexico
For those in Canada and Mexico, there’s some good news. This opportunity is available for customers in those countries as well, however, new vehicle orders are currently paused in Canada and Mexico for unknown reasons.
Running Offers
There are also several other offers running in North America, with the country flags indicating which countries their available in:
0% Financing on new Model 3 Orders (60mo, 0.99% for 72mo) 🇺🇸
Deep Blue Metallic and Pearl White are currently free on a new Model 3 Performance 🇺🇸
Original Model Y Owners are receiving $2,000 off the purchase of a Refreshed Model Y 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇲🇽
Free Supercharging on the Model S and Model X 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇲🇽
Free Supercharging on the Foundation-Series Cybertruck 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇲🇽
Tesla’s long-awaited ambitions for a fully autonomous Robotaxi network powered by the futuristic, control-less Cybercab have finally started to take shape.
During their Q1 2025 earnings call, Tesla shared new details about its Robotaxi network, including that the network will start with new Model Ys. The Cybercab will join the network in 2026.
Robotaxi Plans
Tesla confirmed during the Earnings Call that it is on track to conduct the pilot launch of its Robotaxi network in Austin in June 2025. The first vehicles deployed for this service won’t be Cybercabs, as production for those is still in the prototyping stage.
However, Tesla did outline part of their plan for the Robotaxi network rollout. The initial aim is to begin driverless operations in Austin and then expand the service to other cities within the United States by the end of 2025. Interestingly, Tesla is also testing in California - albeit with safety drivers at this time.
Not a Tesla App
Looking further ahead, there are ambitious plans to ramp up operations to have millions of vehicles operating autonomously within the network by the end of 2026. While substantial revenue generation won’t be immediate, Tesla anticipates that the Robotaxi network will start to “meaningfully move the financial needle” in the second half of 2026.
Tesla also highlighted the current real-world benefits that FSD is already offering today—and will be able to offer to many more people in the near future.
These include reducing effort and time spent on daily commuting or transit, as well as improving mobility for customers with disabilities. Tesla plans to emphasize some of these community stories and wants to highlight the advantages and capabilities of FSD to improve people’s lives.
Robotaxi App and Robotaxi Vehicle UI
Not a Tesla App
After the call, Tesla AI also shared a video showcasing the Robotaxi interface in the Tesla app, as well as some footage that included the in-vehicle UI, at least as it currently stands.
The video shows Tesla employees using and testing Robotaxi features, although there are safety drivers in place. It looks like there is already a set of well-integrated UI mechanisms for both the front and rear screen when in Robotaxi mode.
Tesla is testing this today, and this network has already completed 1,500 trips, totaling approximately 15,000 miles. The system is being tested for vehicle allocation, mission control, and remote assistance operations.
Remote Operators
Inevitably, edge cases or unique situations will come up, and they will be difficult to handle. For these cases, where a Robotaxi vehicle gets stuck or requires assistance, Tesla will likely implement remote support.
While they didn’t completely confirm remote support operators on the Earnings Call, Tesla has previously posted positions for Teleoperator Engineers for Robotaxi, and an AI T=team member posted on LinkedIn about testing for remote assistance operations.
Scaling Up
Tesla initially intends to deploy a relatively small fleet in Austin, with its pilot beginning with about 10 to 20 vehicles on day 1. They will scale up gradually as the systems are validated and operations are refined, and the target is for anyone visiting Austin to be able to hail a robotaxi by the end of June or early July 2025.
Scaling Out
Not a Tesla App
Tesla’s confidence in scaling out stems from its generalized approach with FSD. The team believes that once FSD is thoroughly verified and capable in a few diverse North American cities, deploying it to any other North American city should be technically feasible. After all, driving regulations don’t vary much from one major city to another, except for things like no right turns on red lights.
The primary limitation with scaling out geographically is expected to be securing regulatory approvals in different regions and jurisdictions. While the principles of Tesla’s FSD are expected to apply globally, as with the China rollout, regulation will continue to be a considerable hurdle.
Cybercab
FSD Supervised ride-hailing service is live for an early set of employees in Austin & San Francisco Bay Area.
We've completed over 1.5k trips & 15k miles of driving.
This service helps us develop & validate FSD networks, the mobile app, vehicle allocation, mission control &… pic.twitter.com/pYVfhi935W
Tesla’s fully autonomous, two-seater vehicle, the Cybercab, is also being developed. While volume production for the Cybercab won’t begin until 2026, Tesla is already undergoing sample production validation. The first actual Cybercab builds are expected to be completed near the end of Q2 2025, and we’re excited to see if anything changes from the prototypes shown at We, Robot.
Tesla intends to build Cybercab at Giga Texas, and the production line is on schedule, according to Tesla. Cybercab production will not require a new building and will be built inside the existing Giga Texas factory.
Unboxed Method
Tesla's Shareholder Deck for Q1 2025 is now out, and we're 40 minutes away from the Earnings Call.
It seems Tesla won't be using the unboxed process for its more affordable model - which is a new vehicle.
The Cybercab’s production and low-cost methodology heavily rely upon Tesla’s innovative new unboxed manufacturing method. Tesla’s executive team mentioned that progress and implementation with this new manufacturing solution was going well, and it will be key to lowering the cost of production while considerably raising the level of automation.
Tesla has already achieved key milestones with this method, including successfully integrating large sub-assemblies and resolving challenges related to connecting portions of the vehicle's ceiling during the process. They have also successfully completed corrosion testing related to the new assembly method, as well as begun initial crash testing for the Cybercab.
All of that and more will eventually be incorporated into other vehicle production lines, and the Cybertruck is already benefiting from some aspects of these developments. With a final ambition of achieving a 5-second cycle time per Cybercab, Tesla has come a long way—but it still has quite a bit to go. They’ve managed to meet a 33-second cycle time for the Model Y at Giga Shanghai between two production lines, but 5 seconds per vehicle is quite ambitious.
Not a Tesla App
With all that said, between Robotaxi and Cybercab, there is a lot of interesting news coming from Tesla. We expect this to continue throughout the year as Tesla launches its network and then aims to release FSD Unsupervised to customers, with a potential price increase.
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