Tesla resurrects blinker tracking feature on Model 3 in China, raising questions about potential implementation in North America.
Tesla Restores Turn Signal Stalk to Model 3 in China
Tesla has reintroduced the turn signal stalk to the Model 3 in China, following widespread customer dissatisfaction with the stalk-free design that replaced it with touch-sensitive buttons. The button-based turn signaling was found to be less intuitive and more distracting, particularly during complex maneuvers.
The new stalk design, borrowed from the updated Model Y Juniper, is slimmer and more streamlined than the old pre-facelift Model 3 stalk. Tesla plans to recycle returned components from customers who retrofit, demonstrating an environmentally-friendly approach.
In China, the turn signal stalk is now a standard feature on all new Model 3s and a factory-backed retrofit option is available for existing owners at approximately ¥2,499 (C$480/$350 USD). However, in international markets like North America and Europe, the stalk remains absent in the 2023 refresh, with no official stalk retrofit or reintroduction offered yet.
Tesla's decision to remove the turn signal stalk in 2023 was in line with its minimalist design philosophy, but the strong customer feedback has led to this rare design U-turn. The return of the stalk in China signals Tesla's acknowledgment of customer preference for a traditional stalk, and while there are no announced plans for a global rollout currently, the retrofit program may expand to other markets in the future.
| Aspect | China Market | International Markets (e.g., North America, Europe) | |-----------------------------------|------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Turn Signal Stalk Status | Restored as standard on new Model 3; retrofit option available for existing owners at $350 | Stalk removed in 2023 refresh; no official stalk retrofit or reintroduction offered yet | | Stalk Design | Borrowed from Model Y Juniper (slimmer and streamlined) | Original 2023 refresh delete stalk; steering wheel buttons remain | | Customer Feedback Impact | High — led to reinstatement | Feedback noted but no official stalk restoration yet | | Tesla Plans | Retrofit starts mid-Sept 2025; potential to expand globally unspecified | No announced plans for global rollout currently |
This reversal underscores the importance of user feedback in shaping product design, emphasizing the value of familiar manual controls in some functions despite Tesla's minimalist design philosophy. The stalk has yet to return to the configurator for any international market other than China.
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