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Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

• Tesla Track Package Unlocks 200 MPH Top Speed

• BYD Seal Launching at 27K USD

• Tesla Model Y now with BYD Battery?

• Kia's EV9 Sets New Standard for Luxury SUV

TESLA TRACK PACKAGE UNLOCKS 200 MPH

Tesla has decided to bless the Model S Plaid owners with a brand-spankin'-new Track Package, finally unlocking that mythical 200 mph top speed and throwing in some shiny extras for those who simply can't get enough of the electric buzz. Brace yourselves, track enthusiasts, the future has arrived.

First teased in an adorable little Twitter video (because, really, where else would they announce it), then added to the official online accessories shop, the Model S Plaid Track Package offers up forged aluminum wheels, track-worthy tires and brake fluid, new carbon-silicon carbide rotors, and one-piece forged calipers with high-performance pads. Golly, it's like Christmas came early!

This delightful bundle of speed and style will be available from June 2023, setting you back a cool $15,000 – $20,000, depending on your preference for the components. But, worry not, dear speed demons, Tesla's website offers a breakdown of the complete pack, which includes:

• 2x 20X10J, Zero-G wheels with 285/35R20 Goodyear Supercar 3R tires (front);

• 2x 20X11J, Zero-G wheels with 305/30R20 Goodyear Supercar 3R tires (rear);

• TPMS, Zero-G center caps, tire nut valves, and lug nut covers.

The Carbon Ceramic Brake kit, complete with the new brake fluid, rings in at $15,000, and if you're feeling especially generous, the price tag hops to $20,000 when you add the wheels and tires. But hey, Tesla's got your back, offering the Zero-G wheels with Goodyear rubber separately for a mere $6,000, potentially saving you $1,000 by bundling the whole shebang.

Rewind to November 2021, when Tesla first announced this upgraded brake kit as a $20,000 add-on for the Model S Plaid. Now, they've graciously slashed $5,000 off the price! Note, though, that the ceramic brakes are not compatible with 19-inch Tempest wheels, but they do play nicely with 20-inch Zero-G and 21-inch Arachnid wheels.

And for those of you on a more modest budget, Tesla also offers a $5,500 hardware track package for the Model 3 Performance, featuring 20-inch Zero-G wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, high-performance brake pads, and Bluetooth low-energy tire pressure sensors. How considerate!

BYD SEAL LAUNCHING AT 27K USD

BYD Seal, China's sporty sedan, is getting a makeover, and it's coming in hot with a new base model called the Champion Edition. Priced at a mere 189,800 yuan ($27,400 USD), it's undercutting its predecessor by 23,000 yuan ($3,300). Talk about a bargain!

This thrifty Champion Edition, as reported by Zhidian Mobility, is set to be 11% cheaper than its former base model. What a steal! This baby will likely sport an RWD with a 550 km range and a 170 kW electric motor, so you can zip around town without breaking the bank.

The BYD Seal, which debuted last year, is quite the looker, with its smooth shape, sloping roofline, and an impressive drag coefficient of 0.219 Cd. Porsche Taycan, who? The Seal is even roomier than the Tesla Model 3, with a wheelbase 45 mm longer. More legroom, anyone?

Now, let's talk about the Seal's iTAC (Intelligent Torque Control System). BYD is super proud of this baby, claiming that it can control each wheel's speed more than 50 ms in advance. With such fancy tech, the Seal allegedly passed a moose test at 83.5 km/h.

BYD has had to step up its game and offered a limited 31,000 yuan discount for the Seal model in April, but now, with the new base model being $6,000 cheaper than the Model 3 base trim, it's a whole new ball game.

Sadly, the BYD Seal wasn't the company's golden child, with sales mainly driven by the Dolphin from the Ocean series and the Song and Qin family from the Dynasty series. In April, the Seal sold 6,212 units, with BYD's total NEV sales at 210,295.

With fierce competition in the 200,000 yuan electric sedan market, thanks to rivals like Xpeng P7i, Changan Deepal SL03, and Nio ET5, BYD better buckle up. As for all you European folks, hang tight – the Seal is set to arrive on your shores in 2023.

TESLA MODEL Y NOW WITH BYD BATTERY?

Well, well, well. Look who's making friends! Tesla's German plant in Brunheide, near Berlin, has cozied up to BYD to start production of the Model Y SUV with an LFP Blade battery. Guess who's feeling left out? CATL, LG, and Panasonic. Tsk, tsk. Don't worry, guys, you still have a place in Tesla's heart – or China and Europe, at least.

Teslamag.de reports that the entry-level Model Y RWD will have the honor of flaunting BYD batteries, while the imported China-made Model 3 gets to sport a CATL battery. Fun fact: CATL and BYD are the global battery industry's top dogs.

But, you see, BYD isn't your average battery producer. Oh, no. It's a vertically integrated powerhouse, covering everything from lithium mines to batteries, EVs, and software and ADAS for its vehicles. And we're not just talking about cars here; BYD's got a solid bus business going on, too. They've already made their mark in the US with school buses, but don't hold your breath for passenger vehicles.

Back in early 2022, there were whispers of Tesla placing an order with FinDreams Battery, BYD's battery manufacturing division, for blade batteries for 204,000 vehicles annually. Fast-forward to June, when BYD's vice president, Lian Yubo, spilled the beans about providing Tesla batteries in an interview, only to have the video mysteriously removed from the state media website.

BYD sold a whopping 1,863,494 new energy vehicles in 2022, and in April alone, it sold 104,346 BEVs. They even outpaced VW to become China's number-one brand in Q1. Not too shabby, right?

KIA'S EV9 SETS NEW STANDARD FOR LUXURY SUV

Kia, the "bargain" car brand from Korea's Hyundai Motor Group, is shaking up the status quo of automotive snobbery with its battery-powered EV9. This three-row SUV rolls up with a sharp design, flashy features, and some eyebrow-raising interior materials – all in an ultra-competitive market segment. But let's be real: the luxury SUV crowd (looking at you, Range Rover, Escalade, and G-Wagon) has been flaunting their angles, all-terrain prowess, and fancy trim for ages. The catch? Their gas-guzzling beasts cost an arm and a leg, while the Kia EV9 dares to be affordable and electric.

With the recent EV6 GT hatchback, Kia's on a mission to break the link between brand identity and wallet-emptying price tags. The 576-horsepower EV6 GT starts at a modest $60,000-ish, yet outpaces big shots like the Lamborghini Urus, Porsche 911 Targa, and Mercedes AMG GT, which can cost two or three times more.

Kia's EV9 is like the lovechild of a Land Rover and a G-Wagon, boasting an attractive, boxy, all-wheel-drive design. The secret sauce? Kia taps into its Korean conglomerate's economies of scale and budget-friendly labor to slash costs on battery power and luxury trappings like leather, recycled fabrics, perforated metal, and faux granite. Then, it kicks those space-hogging components (engine, transmission, gas tank, and exhaust system) to the curb, making room for three rows of adult-sized seats and ample storage. For an extra twist, Kia throws in swiveling second-row seats for easier loading and creative seating options – though US regulators might have a word or two about that.

The result? A well-designed, eye-catching, and feature-packed electric vehicle that goes toe-to-toe with its high-priced rivals in style and amenities. Kia's message is clear: "We're not about exclusivity or sky-high prices. We're about aspiration, desirability, and making a conscious choice to embrace what we represent," says Habib. And that's just where Kia wants to be.

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That's a wrap for today. Charge your batteries & see ya tomorrow! If you want more, be sure to follow our Twitter (@PluggedInEmail)

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DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.