Tesla Abandoning Mall Showrooms to Save Money With Cheaper Retail Locations

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Just when we think we know what to expect from Tesla, the electric automaker switches things up. From discontinued models to hiked-up prices to warranty changes, Elon Musk can always be counted on for a surprise, like it or not. For example, if you’re planning to visit a mall showroom soon, brace yourself because you might not find a Tesla dealership there anymore due to a new retail strategy from the company.

A super-concise history of the company

A Tesla showroom within a shopping mall | MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images

From the beginning, Tesla challenged the norms of car manufacturing, sales, and ownership. Tesla Motors turned the automotive industry on its proverbial head, says Buy Auto Insurance, which explains that the innovative car company did so to protect the environment, the economy, and Tesla drivers.

The story of Tesla Motors dates back to 2003 when a couple of engineers in Silicon Valley founded a company intending to build an all-electric sports car. Much of the funding for the project came from a fellow entrepreneur, PayPal co-founder, Elon Musk. Then, once Musk took the helm, Tesla turned a profit at a time when gas prices were sky-high, and other carmakers were floundering. Today, the Palo Alto-based outfit makes a range of fully electric cars, including the 2021 Model 3.

Tesla’s retail strategies over the years

Tesla’s retail strategy seems to evolve by way of trial-and-error and whatever works at the moment. The 21st-century carmaker never did adhere to the franchise dealer business model and always maintained exclusive showrooms owned and operated by Tesla.

In fact, when Tesla premiered their first cars for sale, the company did so without a middle man. Instead of offering dealership test drives promoted by pushy salespeople, the company installed Tesla Stores in upscale retail centers and high-end shopping malls where potential buyers could learn about but not actually buy a Tesla. They could, however, receive instructions about how to order a Tesla on their phone.

Noting that the U.S. auto industry had been “selling cars the same way for over 100 years,” Musk explained that Tesla Stores appeal to an entirely different demographic than those who typically buy cars at a franchise dealership, reports The Newswheel.

In early 2019, Musk and the company changed things when they announced that Tesla would shut its brick-and-mortar locations and focus on internet sales exclusively. After this announcement, Tesla did indeed close 10% of their mall locations by March. Later, the company shifted strategy again when the carmaker said they would reopen a few “high visibility” storefronts. Tesla also revealed that maintaining said storefronts would force a 3% hike on their car prices worldwide.

In 2020, Tesla pulled another strategy switcheroo when the company opened several new brick-and-mortar Tesla Stores. In July 2021, Tesla announced their third sales strategy change in as many years when they said they would encourage mostly online sales while allowing leases to expire on most Tesla Stores located in malls, reports Teslarati.

The move away from pricey mall leases may save Tesla some rent money but does nothing to help mall owners who count on having a Tesla Store on their premises. In fact, losing Tesla as a tenant may cause financial woes to upscale malls such as Scottsdale Fashion Square in Arizona, Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey, and Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, says CNBC.

Where to buy a Tesla today

Tesla shoppers are used to changes by now, so the upcoming move to strictly online car-buying as a presence shouldn’t be a problem. As more and more brick-and-mortar Tesla Stores are shuttered, Tesla makes it easier than ever to order a car with an app or on their website.

Tesla encourages window shoppers and serious car buyers to create an online account that facilitates everything from choosing custom options to taking delivery. At this time, Tesla delivery may not be available in all states due to regulatory restrictions. If there’s still an open Tesla Store near you, you might want to get there before they close for good.

Related: What Ever Happened To The Tesla Roadster Elon Musk Sent Into Orbit?

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The Most Famous Race Tracks That Include Public Roads

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When many people think of race tracks, they picture a specialized and enclosed road surface that’s only used for competition. Many courses are exactly that, but not all. In fact, some of the most famous racing circuits in the world still make use of normal roads. Here are some of the big-name tracks that pull double duty and serve the public interest on non-race days.

Circuit de Monaco is a Formula 1 tradition

Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc during a warm-up lap prior to the Monaco Grand Prix on May 23, 2021 | Valery Hache/AFP via Getty Images

Formula 1 enthusiasts know this one already, but the Monaco Grand Prix takes place every year on the streets of Monte Carlo. During this epic race, F1 machines shriek past opulent homes and restaurants, and glide around incredibly tight corners. They even blast through a tunnel underneath the Fairmont Hotel. Because of the narrow city streets, it’s considered one of the toughest and riskiest tracks in F1.

Visitors to Monaco can walk the course any time of year, except for the weeks surrounding the Grand Prix from late May to early June. If you’re a fan of Formula 1, the experience is positively surreal and second only to watching the Grand Prix in person. As you round the last corner at La Rascasse, be on the lookout for a statue of legendary driver Juan Manuel Fangio. It’s a nice photo opportunity, to say the least.

Circuit de la Sarthe: Home to the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Sports cars driving down the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe
FIA race cars driving down the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe | via Getty Images

The legendary Circuit de la Sarthe is one of the longest tracks in the world and home to the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Parts of the track are reserved exclusively for competition, like the Dunlop Curve and interior Bugatti Circuit used for MotoGP. However, the famous Mulsanne Straight is actually a public road most of the year. Incredibly, racers of the past could drive nearly flat-out for 3.7 miles down this stretch of highway.

With prototype-class cars eventually reaching 200+ mph, then braking hard for the Mulsanne corner, accidents were inevitable. After crashes in the 1980s that killed both drivers and crew, officials added chicanes in an effort to slow things down. Combined with modern safety measures, the continuous improvements have largely succeeded in making Le Mans a safer place to compete.

You can drive on Mount Panorama

Mount Panorama is home to the Bathurst 1000 and Bathurst 12 Hour endurance races in southwest Australia. When not hosting Repco Supercars or other competitors, the entire track is open to the public at no cost. Speeding or trying to imitate the race cars is not advised, however.

Police actively patrol the circuit to enforce a speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour (37 mph). That may seem like a major buzzkill, but Mount Panorama has massive elevation changes and some legitimately dangerous corners. An overly exuberant and/or underskilled driver could easily end up crashing, so the level of caution is understandable.

Nürburgring Nordschleife is the ultimate thrill ride

Tourist drivers enter the toll gate at Nürburgring Nordschleife race track
Drivers enter the toll gate at the Nürburgring Nordschleife | via Getty Images

The Nordschleife, or “North Loop” of the Nürburgring hardly needs an introduction, being one of the most famous race tracks in the world. It’s also one of the most unique, since literally anyone with a license can pay the toll and drive their street car around it.

For those of you looking to visit, most rental car companies in Germany strictly prohibit the use of their cars at the Nürburgring. That said, companies like RSR Nürburg will gladly provide a vehicle, and even instruction, to help you lap the ‘Ring to your heart’s content. Who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of some camouflaged prototype of the future on a testing lap.

In short, you can easily drive on some of the world’s greatest race tracks, if you make the trip and the right arrangements. Just make sure to follow the local regulations, so that you stay on the right side of the law.

RELATED: Porsche 911 Race Cars Dominate IMSA GT Classes at Road America

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The Safety Features the 2021 Volvo XC90 Has That the 2021 Tesla Model X Doesn’t

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Volvo has been known for its commitment to safety for years, but Tesla has made news with its cutting-edge technology. The 2021 Volvo XC90 and 2021 Tesla Model X have lots of safety features, but the Volvo has more. Some of Tesla’s technology includes safety features that fall under the umbrella of its Autopilot feature, a semi-autonomous driving system. Still others come with Full Self-Driving, another, slightly more advanced semi-autonomous system. So which SUV has more safety features, and are they important?

2021 Volvo XC90 | Volvo

Consumer Reports recommends certain safety features in new cars

Consumer Reports recommends a slew of advanced safety features that car shoppers should consider. On their website they write, “Consumer Reports prioritizes a variety of safety features which have been proven to be effective at preventing collisions, injuries, and deaths.” These features include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking at city and highway speeds, lane-keeping assistance, and lane departure warning. Consumer Reports also says that pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning are important to have. 

Rearview cameras are standard in all new cars. You should also look for anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, and daytime running lights.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 and Tesla Model X both come with a lot of safety features

The 2021 Volvo XC90 comes standard with all of the features that Consumer Reports recommends.

On the other hand, The 2021 Tesla Model X comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist and lane departure warning. It also has a rear camera, anti lock brakes, traction and stability control, and daytime running lights. There’s no option to get blind spot warning or rear cross traffic warning. 

Crash test ratings in both are also good 

Both the IIHS and NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Volvo XC90. The IIHS gave the XC90 all good scores. In fact, the 2021 Volvo XC90 won an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award. To be awarded an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must score at least a good or higher in all of the IIHS crashworthy ratings. These include the driver-side small overlap front, the passenger-side small overlap front, and the moderate overlap front. In addition to these front crash testings, the vehicle must get a good or higher in the side crash tests, roof strength, and head restraint tests. 

Additionally, the vehicle must have an advanced or superior in both the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian tests. Headlights, often overlooked by car shoppers, must be good or acceptable on all trim levels. Oftentimes one trim level has good headlight ratings while another trim level does not. 

The NHTSA gave the XC90 five stars for everything except the rollover ratings. These are four stars. 

The IIHS hasn’t crash-tested the 2021 Tesla Model X, but the NHTSA has. It gives the 2021 Tesla Model X all good crash test-ratings.

If you’re looking for a luxury midsize SUV loaded with safety features (and you don’t have a traditional gas-powered versus electric preference), the 2021 Volvo XC90 is the way to go. With its abundance of safety features and excellent crash test ratings, the XC90 is definitely a top pick.

RELATED: Here’s What Tesla’s Newly Released Full Self-Driving Beta V9 Is Like

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The 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid Max Aims for a Better MPG

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Each passing day means that we’re getting closer and closer to seeing the new Toyota Tundra. We have been following each breadcrumb to put clues about the 2022 Toyota Tundra together, and now we’ve learned some new information about a Hybrid Max title. 

The 2022 Toyota Tundra might be the Hybrid Max 

Toyota Tundra TRD | Toyota

Speculation about the 2022 Toyota Tundra gaining a hybrid engine is increasing. Toyota filed a trademark application for the Hybrid Max name with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. 

Plus, Toyota has revealed clues about the new Tundra engine, known as the iForce Max. Toyota mentioned that it will offer each vehicle sold in the United States with some form of electrification, so the Tundra Hybrid Max could be the first hybrid truck. 

In the teaser image of the new iForce engine, the lettering is outlined in blue, which is a traditional hybrid color. For example, the RAV4 hybrid, Prius, and more all use pops of blue to flex their hybrid power. 

Would the Hybrid Max be an upgrade? 

2022 Toyota Tundra iForceMAX engine teaser
2022 Toyota Tundra iForceMAX | Toyota

The 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid Max would serve as an incredible upgrade. Currently, the Tundra uses a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. This offers plenty of power but loves to guzzle fuel. 

For example, the Tundra gets an EPA-estimated 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway. Meanwhile, the Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and on the highway. This is only an improvement of four miles to the gallon, but maybe the hybrid Tundra will achieve better numbers. Going from 13 mpg to 25 would be great, though. 

Rumors suggest that the new Tundra could gain a variant of the new twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine. In the Land Cruiser, it generates 409 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. We’re fans of more muscle. 

The 2021 Tundra can tow up to 10,200 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,730 lbs. The PowerBoost Hybrid can tow up to 12,700 lbs and carry a payload of up to 2,120 lbs. So, the Tundra needs to catch up. 

What else is new for the 2022 Tundra? 

Aside from highly anticipating a hybrid engine with the 2022 Toyota Tundra, we can expect a better ride. It will use the new TNGA-F platform that underpins the Land Cruiser 300. It’s also ditching the leaf springs for a coil-spring multi-link rear suspension for a smoother ride. The Toyota Tundra TRD Pro could be equipped with Fox dampers too. 

The interior will gain significant improvements. Old, outdated materials and hard plastics will be replaced with modern and more upscale materials. It could acquire a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and we hope it gets Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Teaser images display a massive panoramic sunroof and a power-folding rear glass window. The TRD-Pro model shows a flashy red interior color. The instrumentation is going digital while maintaining physical controls too. 

The 2022 Toyota Tundra is expected to debut around September 19th, which happens to be when the Texas State Fair begins. This makes sense as the Tundra is currently assembled in Texas. We don’t have to wait much longer to learn more.

RELATED: You Can Probably Kiss Your Toyota Tundra V8 Goodbye Soon

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