After two months it was time to set up a service appointment with Tesla to take care of a few minor deficiencies. We've had our new Tesla SR+ (blue) 2021 model since mid November 2020. The experience of dealing with Tesla Service was unlike any other car dealer and I learned a thing or two in the process. Now I know how to better track problems with our new car. Again as in so many other areas, Tesla has reimagined the automobile service experience. Here's what I found out.
Instead of phoning the dealer, Tesla gets you to make a service appointment using the Tesla app on your phone. After you make contact, they ask you to list your issues using the built in private messaging system in the app. Among other things one problem with our new car is that sometimes the car's touch screen just goes black for a few minutes. This has only happened when the car is stopped but it's quite scary because nearly everything is controlled from that screen. After 2 - 4 minutes it always comes back on. But when it happens it's unnerving. To be clear: you can still drive the car when the touch screen is black, but you cannot use the entertainment system, the climate control, the mirror adjustments, and much more. You also don't get a speedometer. It's pretty strange.
In the days before the service appointment a technician sent me a message asking if I could give the exact times and circumstances when the screen went black. I was not able to tell them because these black-outs happened at random over a two month period, and I could not remember dates and times exactly. But a few days later I was slowly backing the car into the garage and suddenly the whole car stopped, the screen went black, and everything turned off. It was weird. My service appointment was not for a few days yet, so right that minute I used the app to send a message telling the Tesla technicians the exact time this happened to the minute.
In a few hours I got a message back saying, "This is the Tesla remote technician. At the time stamp you provided the vehicle shows you were in reverse and the seat belt was unbuckled, and the drivers seat occupancy sensor was fluctuating like you were lifting on and off of the seat. This can be caused by leaning too hard one way or the other. This can confuse the car making it think no one is present, and it will cause the car to shut down. Please remain in the seat with the buckle on while driving."
The amazing fact is: it's all true. I was just moving the car from the front of the house to park it in the garage and I had not bothered to put on the seatbelt for this simple task. Also, our single car garage door is pretty narrow and the Model 3 just fits with a couple inches to spare on both sides. So while backing up I was twisting around in the seat to look behind and line up the car perfectly and in so doing I did lift my bum off the seat a bit. So this totally explains why the car shut down. It thought no one was driving! The fact that the remote technician at Tesla had all this information at their fingertips is at once brilliant but also chilling. They know EVERYTHING!! They know if I have my seatbelt on, and they even know if I'm twisting around in the seat. It's kind of frightening, and it shows that Teslas and probably all cars in the future are going to know a lot about us and our driving habits. Of course Tesla promises not to use this information, but what guarantee do we have that they will keep that promise? That's another story.
In the meantime, I suppose it's a good thing overall, and in this case it helped me understand the car better. I now put my seatbelt on even to park it in the garage. What's more, whenever I have a new issue with the car I now know to write down the exact time to the minute when it happens. No car in the past ever required this, but with Teslas it's a new habit that everyone should learn. With such time stamps technicians can do amazing things. In some cases they might even be able to solve the problem without you even having to bring the car into the shop. Now that is progress. When it comes to designing cars Elon Musk once said, "No part is the best part." In the same way, no service visit is the best service visit.
Tesla has announced steep price increases for its vehicles in Canada, with adjustments of up to CA$9,000 set to take effect on February 1, 2025. This move impacts nearly all models, with the Model 3 Performance trim seeing the steepest hike, rising from $70,990 to $79,990 Canadian. The Model Y, Model S, and Model X will each see a flat increase of CA$4,000 across all trims. Notably, the Cybertruck remains unaffected by these changes.
These price hikes coincide with the expiration of Canada’s federal EV incentive program, which previously offered CA$5,000 rebates on eligible vehicles, further increasing the price of Tesla vehicles.
Additionally, the Canadian dollar’s recent decline against the US dollar and looming trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada may have influenced Tesla’s decision. President Trump proposed a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, and Tesla may be expecting Canada to retaliate with a similar tariff on US goods. However, it’s interesting that Tesla has chosen to raise prices so drastically before any tariffs have been announced.
Price Increases
Model
Price Increase
Model 3 Long Range RWD
CA $4,000 ($2,800 USD)
Model 3 Long Range AWD
CA $8,000 ($5,600 USD)
Model 3 Performance
CA $9,000 ($6,300 USD)
Model Y
CA $4,000 ($2,800 USD)
Model S
CA $4,000 ($2,800 USD)
Model X
CA $4,000 ($2,800 USD)
Cybertruck
$0
Buyers
This could be a critical time to act for prospective buyers, with the price increase going into effect in just about a week. Tesla’s online configurator allows customers to lock in current prices by placing an order before February 1st. The company’s referral program also offers CA$1,300 off Model Y, Model S, and Model X purchases, providing additional savings before the price hike takes effect.
Expect these adjustments to impact Tesla sales in Canada, although they’re likely to affect other manufacturers as well. We may see a potential surge in orders ahead of the February 1 deadline, especially for the AWD and Performance variants of the new Model 3.
It’s not clear whether the price increase will impact the new Model Y, which was announced last night for North America and Europe. Deliveries for the new model begin in March.
If you’re on the fence about whether you should order a new Tesla, now may be a good time to place your order. Tesla offers the ability to cancel your order, but buyers would lose their deposit.
Tesla has officially launched the refreshed Model Y in North America and Europe, just 13 days after the launch for the Asia-Pacific Markets.
Just like the other markets, Tesla will be starting with the Launch Edition, which will include FSD and Acceleration Boost. It will also include other smaller details such as Launch Edition badging, puddle lights, special wordmark logos on the door sill plates, and wireless charging pads, as well as an exclusive textile trim and black vegan suede interior.
The new Model Y is available for pre-order immediately but will only begin shipping in March, which is surprisingly sooner than the market where it was initially unveiled. Due to the new model, Tesla has also begun to offer some compelling inventory discounts for the now, last-gen Model Y.
Pricing
Pricing for the new Model Y includes the Launch Edition package - similar to the Foundation Series Cybertruck pricing - a premium launch bundle that will give you a fair amount of additional features and get you earlier access to the new Model Y.
What’s unique with this launch is that color and wheel selection are included in the price - so you can choose from Stealth Grey, Pearl White Multicoat, Ultra Red, and Quicksilver for the colors without any additional fees. You can also pick from the 19” Crossflow wheels or the 20” Helix 2.0 wheels.
Not a Tesla App
Tesla did not announce the price for the non-Launch Edition versions of the vehicle. This includes the RWD, Long Range AWD, and Performance variants. We’ll likely see these launch in the coming months but expect Tesla to continue to sell the Launch Edition as long as there’s demand. Given that the Model Y is the world’s best-selling vehicle, it could be a while before we see a non-bundle version.
Tesla’s site currently only lists the new Model Y with its Long-Range All-Wheel Drive variant. The Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive variant is currently unavailable in North America and Europe, but the specs are listed on the “Compare Models” page.
Model
Price (USD)
Price (CAD)
Price (EU)**
New Model Y LR AWD
$59,990
$84,990
€49,990
2024 Model Y Performance
$51,490
$73,990
€52,990
2024 Model Y LR AWD
$47,990
$68,990
€58,990
2024 Model Y LR RWD
$44,990
$64,990
€61,990
*Canadian Prices include the recent price increase.
**EU prices may vary by ordering nation.
The new Model Y comes in well above the price for the Performance variant of the previous Model Y. However, remember that this includes the $2,000 Acceleration Boost package, the $8,000 FSD package, and all of the other smaller add-ons. If you were already planning to buy the FSD and Acceleration Boost packages, it ends up being a decent deal, but the biggest attraction is the ability to get your Model Y much sooner.
Metallic infrared reflective coating on all glass for better heat reflection
Power-actuated second-row vents
One stalk for signaling. Shifting is now on the main screen.
The front-end view.
Not a Tesla App
Asia-Pacific Differences
RWD Variant: There are three key differences for the North American and European launches, versus the Asia-Pacific launch. First off, the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive variant isn’t available for ordering at this time. That’s a pretty big hit - because it was the far more affordable version of the refreshed Model Y. With the new pricing forcing buyers to buy FSD and Acceleration Boost, making it more expensive than the Performance model, it could lead some buyers to hold off until the Launch Edition is over.
Glacial Blue: Second, the new color - glacial blue - isn’t making its way to North America or Europe at this time. In fact, the color palette for the Model Y appears to be limited to Stealth Grey, Pearl White Multicoat, Ultra Red, and Quicksilver.
Tow Hitch: Third - and honestly the most exciting - a class II tow hitch, capable of towing the same 3,500 lbs of weight, is available in North America and Europe, and it is included as part of the features for the Launch Edition.
With deliveries slated for March, we’re excited to see the first few arrive in North America and Europe arrive in the next 5-10 weeks. We’re sure the refreshed Model Y will be making its way to Tesla showrooms, as well as Auto Shows in both markets sometime soon - so stay tuned.
