Car News

Tesla has released its second-quarter earnings for 2018, revealing a US$717.5 million ($969 million) loss, but there's a bit to suggest things are looking up in Silicon Valley. That loss is close to double the $336.4 million ($454.4 million) it lost during the first quarter of 2018, although total revenue rose from US$2.79 to US$4.0 billion. Tesla says it built 53,339 cars in the second quarter, of which 18,449 were Model 3s.

Although Tesla is spending most of its time and energy ramping up production of the Model 3, as well as making itself profitable, its flagship models seem likely to get new, probably controversial, interiors. Elektrek has obtained and published a few mockups of proposed designs for the new interior. The publication believes a new cabin will be fitted to Model S and Model X production vehicles starting in 2019.

Mercedes-Benz has added the Vito, Viano and Valente sold between January 2, 2018 and December 31, 2014, to the ever-expanding Takata recall list. As is the case with all Takata-equipped vehicles, a combination of heat and humidity can make the airbag propellant degrade. If a vehicle with a faulty inflator is involved in a crash, metal fragments can shoot into the cabin, putting passengers at risk of serious injury or death.

Volkswagen Australia has narrowed its ‘regular’ five-seat Tiguan range by retaining only the more expensive 132TSI Comfortline and 162TSI Highline all-wheel drive (AWD) variants, while adding a 162TSI Wolfsburg Edition range-topper.

Peugeot Australia has launched the 208 GTi Édition Définitive, complete with mechanical and cosmetic upgrades to send off production of the current-generation pint-sized hot hatch. Just 20 examples will make their way Down Under, priced from $33,990 drive-away – $4000 more than the new $29,990 drive-away price for the standard 208 GTi.