Tesla has made a significant update to the Model 3 in China by reintroducing turn signal stalks to the popular electric vehicle. This change comes after nearly two years since Tesla controversially removed stalks from the Model 3 with its September 2023 “Highland” refresh, which required drivers to use steering wheel buttons for indicating turns and a touchscreen swipe for gear selection.
Now, every new Model 3 in China will come standard with a steering column-mounted turn signal stalk. For existing owners of “stalkless” Model 3s, Tesla is offering a retrofit option. The retrofit, which costs RMB 2,499 (approximately $350 USD), replaces the steering wheel-mounted turn signal buttons with a traditional lever. This option will initially be available for Model 3 vehicles built after February 7, 2025, starting in mid-September. Tesla plans to make the retrofit available for cars manufactured before that date at a later time. Installation must be done at a Tesla Service Center with a minimum of three days advance scheduling. The price includes both parts and labor, with Tesla collecting and recycling the original steering wheel and accessories.
While turn signal stalks are making a comeback, Tesla has not indicated any plans to bring back the gear selector stalk. Drivers will still need to use the central touchscreen for selecting drive modes, as has been the case since the 2023 update.
This decision aligns with Tesla’s approach with the Model Y in China, where the SUV retained its turn signal stalk while adopting the touchscreen-based gear selector from the Model 3. Recently, Tesla also launched the new Model 3+ in China, boasting the longest range of any Tesla vehicle in the country.
By reintroducing the turn signal stalk in China, Tesla appears to be listening to customer feedback while maintaining its vision of a simplified, software-driven cockpit. This update showcases Tesla’s commitment to meeting the needs and preferences of its global customer base.