2023 Tesla Model 3 on 2040-cars

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Ed Welburn retires, Tesla offered nuclear plant in France, and more | Autoblog Minute

Greg Migliore recaps the week in automotive news, including a look at GM design chief Ed Welburn's retirement, the French wooing of Tesla, and more. GM Lincoln Tesla Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video lincoln motor company

Unplugged Performance reveals Koenigsegg-made carbon fiber parts

There are a number of Tesla models that rival Koenigsegg supercars in acceleration, and now the electrified American cars can have styling parts made by the Swedish supercar company. This is possible thanks to a collaboration between Tesla aftermarket parts company Unplugged Performance. Unplugged Performance makes a variety of parts for Tesla models, from performance items such as suspension and brakes to cosmetic parts like these Koenigsegg pieces. They are all carbon fiber exterior parts produced with the same materials and processes the Swedish car company uses for its own machines. The designs of the parts are from Unplugged, though. Most of them are spoilers for each Tesla model, some for either more downforce or less drag, but there are also special wide front fenders for the Model 3. Pricing varies depending on the product, from $1,745 for many of the spoilers to $8,845 for a pair of Model 3 fenders. The parts are available now, and Unplugged Performance hints at additional Koenigsegg-made parts coming in the future. Related Video:

Stellantis expects to hit emissions target without Tesla's help

Franco-Italian carmaker Stellantis expects to achieve its European carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions targets this year without environmental credits bought from Tesla, its CEO said in an interview published on Tuesday. Stellantis was formed through the merger of France's PSA and Italy's FCA, which spent about 2 billion euros ($2.40 billion) to buy European and U.S. CO2 credits from electric vehicle maker Tesla over the 2019-2021 period. "With the electrical technology that PSA brought to Stellantis, we will autonomously meet carbon dioxide emission regulations as early as this year," Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares said in the interview with French weekly Le Point. "Thus, we will not need to call on European CO2 credits and FCA will no longer have to pool with Tesla or anyone." California-based Tesla earns credits for exceeding emissions and fuel economy standards and sells them to other automakers that fall short. European regulations require all car manufacturers to reduce CO2 emissions for private vehicles to an average of 95 grams per kilometer this year. A Stellantis spokesman said the company is in discussions with Tesla about the financial implications of the decision to stop the pooling agreement. "As a result of the combination of Groupe PSA and FCA, Stellantis will be in a position to achieve CO2 targets in Europe for 2021 without open passenger car pooling arrangements with other automakers," he added. Tesla's sales of environmental credits to rival automakers helped it to announce slightly better than expected first-quarter revenue this week. The next tightening of European regulations will soon be the subject of proposals from the European Commission. The 2030 target could be lowered to less than 43 grams/km. Related Video: Government/Legal Green Alfa Romeo Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep Maserati RAM Tesla Citroen Peugeot Emissions Stellantis