2019 Model 3 2019 Long Range Autopilot Nav Pano Blind 55k on 2040-cars

Auto blog

This is what it takes to make the world's most expensive Tesla Model S

New Tesla or condo? That's one question you may come up with when you see this video from T Sportline that shows a Model S with enough extras to jack its price up to $205,820. Al & Ed's Autosound of West Hollywood, CA, which has a history of such things, did the honors. So here's the recipe. You start witt the $85,900 base price for the 85 kilowatt-hour Model S. That pricetag jumps to $123,770 with goodies such as the "performance plus" set-up (including fiber spoiler and red brake calipers) for a tidy $6,500, "smart air" suspension ($2,250), "tech package" ($3,750), ultra high-fidelity sound system ($2,500), panoramic sunroof ($2,500) and 21-inch grey turbine wheels ($4,500). And then the fun really starts. For instance, those wheels get upgraded to "GhostGold" forged wheels for $7,500, "exterior 3M change wrap" runs $6,000, carbon-fiber body kit goes for $5,250 and the "audiophile upgrade" costs $9,500. Finally, get a load of the "bespoke" made-to-order interior upholstery. That'll run $25,000. And before you know it, you have a mean green machine that's almost twice as expensive as Justin Bieber's chrome Fisker Karma. And from a solvent company, no less. Al & Ed's is no stranger to pushing Tesla EVs way out into the proverbial high-rent district. The team used the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show to show off a Tesla Roadster with about $50,000 worth of goodies were added. Earlier that year, they customized another Roadster to include, among other things, Mercedes-Benz leather. We've got archive coverage of those cars but we expect you'll be more interested in the new video from T Sportline of the swanky Model S below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Amsterdam's Schiphol airport launches fleet of 167 Tesla electric taxis

Traveling by jet airplane may not be the greenest mode of transportation, but if you're landing at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, at least you'll be able to get into town under pure electric power. The Dutch airport has inaugurated a new fleet of 167 Tesla Model S taxis, giving it the largest fleet of all-electric taxis of any airport in the world. The cabs will be operated by two taxi companies – BBF Schipholtaxi and BIOS-groep – who will shuttle passengers to and from the airport with zero emissions. "This represents a crucial step in our efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and become one of the world's three most sustainable airports," said Schiphol Group CEO Jos Nijhuis. Last year, the airport authority brokered a deal to buy Europe's largest fleet of electric buses to shuttle passengers to, from and between terminals as well. So whatever you may be planning to burn while in Amsterdam, at least it doesn't have to be fossil fuels. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: Record number of electrically powered taxis at Schiphol Schiphol, 16 October 2014 As from today, passengers at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol can opt for electrically powered taxis operated by BBF Schipholtaxi or BIOS-groep. The two companies will jointly offer passenger transport services with a fleet of 167 Tesla Model S taxis. Schiphol is the only airport in the world to offer a comparable service: no other airport has a fleet of sustainable taxis this size. The electrically powered taxis provide a significant boost to sustainable mobility at the airport. 'The new fleet of 100 per cent electrically-powered Teslas allows passengers to continue their journey from Schiphol in total comfort. At Schiphol, high-quality transport and an environmental conscience go hand in hand. This represents a crucial step in our efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and become one of the world's three most sustainable airports', explained Jos Nijhuis, Schiphol Group's President and CEO. The zero-emission taxis will be serving Schiphol for a period of at least four years, with an optional extension of up to eight years. Check-in to sustainability Schiphol Group anticipates and is investing in a sustainable future for the airport. Schiphol Group facilitates connections - connections between the Netherlands and the rest of the world and connections between people.

Tesla trademark suit in China ends with settlement

After years of fighting, Tesla has finally put its trademark dispute in China with businessman Zhan Baosheng behind it, thanks to an undisclosed settlement. The news comes at a perfect time for the automaker, which is still setting up its dealers there.
According to an email from Tesla cited by Bloomberg, the two sides came to an agreement "completely and amicably," but the business isn't revealing what it cost to resolve the conflict. As part of the settlement, Zhan is also transferring his ownership of the tesla.cn and teslamotors.cn over to the company. "Mr. Zhan has agreed to have the Chinese authorities complete the process of canceling the Tesla trademarks that he had registered or applied for, at no cost to Tesla," said the statement, according to Bloomberg. "Collectively, these actions remove any doubt with respect to Tesla's undisputed rights to its trademarks in China."
Zhan had claimed to hold the trademark on the Tesla name in China since 2009, but he was appealing a ruling by the country's courts invalidating those rights. The situation heated up even further in July when Zhan sued the automaker for trademark infringement and asked for 23.9 million yuan ($3.9 million) in damages, plus for the company shut down all of its operations there. Tesla had reportedly already attempted to settle with him years ago for 2 million yuan ($325,000 at current rates), but Zhan countered with a figure of the equivalent of over $32 million.