Tesla continues to make headlines with its remarkable advancements in electric vehicle production and innovative technology. Recently, the company achieved a significant milestone at its Gigafactory in Shanghai, showcasing its rapid growth and commitment to sustainability in the automotive industry. As Tesla expands its operations and introduces new features, enthusiasts and potential buyers alike are closely following the developments. Let’s delve into the latest achievements and offerings from Tesla.
Tesla celebrates a significant production milestone at Gigafactory Shanghai
Tesla has officially announced that it has produced its four millionth vehicle at the Gigafactory in Shanghai, marking a remarkable achievement in just six years of operations. This milestone was celebrated on December 8, 2025, emphasizing the rapid pace at which Tesla has scaled its production capabilities.
The Gigafactory Shanghai commenced production in October 2019, starting with the assembly of the Model 3. Initially, the factory produced cars at a rate of around 150,000 vehicles annually, with the first deliveries made to employees in December 2019. A significant ramp-up in production saw the plant reach its two millionth vehicle milestone by September 2023.
This latest achievement of four million vehicles produced is indicative of not just Tesla’s production efficiency but also its growing presence in the automotive market. The factory has a capacity exceeding 950,000 vehicles per year, and in the first three quarters of 2025 alone, it delivered 675,000 cars.
The Gigafactory is unique as it manufactures the Model Y L, a longer-wheelbase version of the popular electric crossover specifically for the Chinese market. Furthermore, a notable portion of the factory’s output has been exported to international markets, particularly Europe, where it has supported the production of the Model Y at Gigafactory Berlin.
This plant is critical to Tesla’s global strategy, with projections indicating that it could achieve five million vehicles produced by late 2026 or early 2027 if current trends continue.
Innovative advancements: Tesla’s new ‘Charging Passport’
Tesla is enhancing the ownership experience with the introduction of its new “Charging Passport,” a feature designed to gamify the Supercharging process. This initiative aims to make charging not just a necessity but an engaging activity for Tesla owners.
While the Charging Passport is not part of the Holiday Update, it is being rolled out concurrently and offers a variety of features that promote exploration and engagement. The Charging Passport will be accessible through the Tesla smartphone app, providing users with a yearly summary of their charging activities.
Some of the exciting features included in the Charging Passport are:
- Charging badges for visiting unique locations, like the Tesla Diner or Oasis Supercharger.
- A total count of unique Superchargers visited throughout the year.
- Details on total charging sessions and miles added during those sessions.
- Recognition of the top charging day and longest trip taken.
- A list of favorite charging locations based on user data.
This feature is reminiscent of popular year-in-review summaries from services like Spotify and Apple Music, allowing Tesla owners to reflect on their travel experiences over the year. It’s an enjoyable way to encourage users to explore different charging locations while emphasizing Tesla’s extensive Supercharging network.
As Tesla continues to innovate, the company is also expanding its Supercharger locations, including a new UFO-inspired site in New Mexico, further enhancing the charging experience.
Gift-giving made easy: Tesla’s Full Self-Driving subscription
In a move to broaden its customer base and enhance user engagement, Tesla has introduced a gift-giving program for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) subscription. This initiative allows Tesla owners to gift one month of the semi-autonomous driving software to friends or family.
This program, recently launched on Tesla’s online shop, enables users to share the experience of FSD, which allows the vehicle to drive itself with minimal intervention. The opportunity to gift FSD is priced at $112 and is intended to promote the subscription service while potentially converting gift recipients into long-term subscribers.
The gift card can be stored in the Tesla Wallet and used toward FSD or any other products and services that accept gift card payments. This innovative approach aligns with Tesla’s strategy of getting “butts in seats,” as experiencing FSD first-hand may encourage recipients to subscribe to the service in the future.
Moreover, expanding access to FSD is crucial for Tesla, particularly in light of CEO Elon Musk’s compensation structure, which is tied to achieving a certain number of active paid FSD subscriptions. This gifting initiative could significantly boost adoption rates among new users.
Tesla expands its Robotaxi app access globally
Tesla is also making strides with its Robotaxi service by expanding app access to a wider audience. The ride-hailing platform, which has been active in selected U.S. cities, is now available to download in various international markets.
Recently, Tesla announced plans to launch Robotaxi services in major cities like Miami, Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Dallas. With the app already operational in Texas, California, and Arizona, the company is looking to capitalize on the global demand for innovative transportation solutions.
As of now, the Robotaxi app can be accessed in the following countries:
- Japan
- Thailand
- Hong Kong
- South Korea
- Australia
- Taiwan
- Macau
- New Zealand
- Mexico
- United States
- Canada
The expansion is a testament to Tesla’s ambitious goals for transforming the passenger transportation industry, with over 550,000 miles driven on the platform thus far. However, regulatory approval remains a hurdle for broader implementation, especially as Tesla seeks to eliminate safety monitors during operations.
As the company continues to navigate local traffic laws and regulatory frameworks, the success of the Robotaxi program will depend on its ability to integrate seamlessly into diverse markets. The future of autonomous ride-hailing looks promising, and Tesla is poised to lead the way.