Carbon Fiber Mini Ducktail Spoiler Now Available for Tesla Model S

The rear of the Tesla Model S is nicely designed, modern and houses a big boot that can even take two rear-facing kid seats. However, because of the fastback-style short boot, a mini ducktail spoiler like the one you see above seems to go really nicely with it, if you have the cash…

It’s the product of a new company called EV Autosalon, and it’s actually their very first product. They won’t focus exclusively on Teslas or the Model S and will release mods for other EVs and hybrids.

The spoiler itself fits nicely with the outline of the deck, and even if we don’t have a shot of it taken from further away (so as to see how it affects the lines of the entire body), it looks like it works cosmetically.

Don’t forget, though, that the Model S is a car designed to be as slippery through the air as possible, and EV Autosalon had better make sure it doesn’t affect high-speed stability and/or range – the one that Tesla officially offers and can be ordered with the car is claimed to improve on the former.

Going for $1,200 in carbon fiber (glossy or matte) and $600 out of fiberglass, this aftermarket one is the kind of thing your must really want and like in order to buy, as it’s a bit on the pricey side.

By Andrei Nedelea

Story References: green.autoblog via teslamotorsclub

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Stock Veteran Says GM Will Buy Tesla in 2014, Auto Exec Doubts It [w/Videos]

As one of the most advanced electric vehicle manufacturers, Tesla Motors is no doubt being closely monitored by volume carmakers wishing to gain a firmer foothold in the electric vehicle segment. General Motors, for instance, has openly admitted to creating a special unit to monitor Tesla Motors.

While that doesn’t necessarily mean GM wants to buy Tesla, there are some analysts who believe that this is the case and that a transaction could happen as soon as next year.

In an interview with CNBC, Yra Harris of Praxis Trading made a bold prediction that GM could try to buy Tesla Motors next year. The trader said Tesla is a perfect fit for the Detroit carmaker and that such a deal could make sense for both companies.

For GM, owning Tesla would give it access to advanced plug-in technology as well as a premium high-tech brand to its stable. In exchange, GM would help Tesla grow further thanks to its established global retail and service networks.

While there were previous rumors about other companies being interested in Tesla (such as Apple), a carmaking giant like GM or even Ford would likely be a better fit for the company founded by Elon Musk.

However, not everyone agrees with Harris, with former Mazda North America CEO Charles Hughes telling CNBC that the acquisition of Tesla by GM or Ford wouldn't work for any of the two Detroit-based carmakers. You can find out why from the second video posted below.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Tesla Starts Selling Cars in China Without…a Brand Name

Tesla Motors has begun offering Model S sedans in China without a local name for its brand because of an old trademark dispute. Tesla recently inaugurated its flagship store in downtown Beijing and this week launched a Chinese-language website to take orders from local customers.

However, the website doesn’t include Tesla’s Chinese language name, a rare omission for global brands present in the world’s largest car market. Tesla originally wanted to use “Te Si La”, the Chinese name best known among local consumer, but the name has been registered by a Chinese businessman who has been refusing to give up the trademark.

Zhan Baosheng registered “Te Si La” in 2006 and has no intentions to sell the trademark despite a series of requests from potential buyers, his agent said. According to a Tesla salesman quoted by Reuters, the carmaker has no Chinese name yet and there’s no information regarding when or whether there will be one.

A quick solution for Tesla to end this problem would be to use another name or buy the trademark from the Chinese businessman, but the latter may prove to be a costly move. In 2012, Apple settled a lawsuit by agreeing to pay $60 million (€43.8 million) to a Chinese company for the legal rights to use the iPad trademark in China.

The country has rules that protect globally renowned brands, but in the case of relatively new companies such as Tesla, those might not apply. Another reason to worry about for the EV maker is that the price of the Model S is not determined yet because China has not decided on its tax policies for imported electric cars.

By Dan Mihalascu

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