<p>This past week was quite eventful for <strong>Tesla Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ:TSLA). From a Gov. <strong>Gavin Newsom</strong>-backed (D-CA) EV rebate program to an affordable financing program in China, let’s take a look at what captured the headlines for the <strong>Elon Musk</strong>-led EV maker this week.</p>



<h2>Gavin <strong>Newsom’s $1 Billion EV Incentive Program</strong></h2>



<p>Newsom unveiled a $1 billion EV incentive program that could potentially benefit the Tesla Semi. The program, set to kick off on June 26, will offer rebates ranging from $7,500 to $120,000 to authorized retailers and target commercial vans, electric semi trucks and more. The program will initially receive $250 million in funding this year.</p>



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<h2><strong>Tesla’s Affordable Financing Plan</strong></h2>



<p>Following a dip in its domestic sales, Tesla has introduced new, affordable financing options in the Chinese market for the models produced in the company’s Shanghai Gigafactory. The program, available to consumers who complete their purchase by May 31, 2026, offers lower down payments and monthly payments.</p>



<h2><strong>North American EV Demand Drops</strong></h2>



<p>Despite rising global sales and the ongoing Iran war, North American demand for EVs has seen a decline in April. Registrations across North America fell by 28% to 120,000 units despite a near 50% increase in sales this year in the Mexican market.</p>



<h2>Robotaxi Woes, FSD’s Forced Feedback</h2>



<p>Tesla’s self-driving push also saw some criticism this week as a Reuters investigation released on Thursday revealed the several challenges the company’s Robotaxi services face in Texas, with a 20-minute drive to the city hall taking over 2 hours in Dallas, according to the report.</p>



<p>Tesla is also reportedly forcing customers to provide feedback following incidents of the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system’s disengagements via voice notes, in a move unlike earlier feedback methods, which gave drivers a choice, Electrek reported on Thursday.</p>



<h2><strong>Ford’s New Battery Storage Push</strong></h2>



<p><strong>Ford Motor Co.</strong> (NYSE:F) looks set to challenge Tesla’s energy storage business with a new battery storage system push. The automaker announced that deliveries will begin in late 2027 for its flagship, the DC Block, a 20-foot-long containerized storage system.</p>



<h2><strong>China Investigates EV Makers</strong></h2>



<p>Chinese authorities have launched an investigation into EV makers following claims from owners that their cars’ range was reduced by approximately 125 miles after a software update. The probe has resulted in three EV makers being placed under investigation. Tesla and rival <strong>BYD Co. Ltd. </strong>(OTC:BYDDY) (OTC:BYDDF) have denied any wrongdoing.</p>



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<p><em>Check out more of Benzinga’s Future Of Mobility coverage by</em> following this link.</p>



<p><strong><em>Disclaimer:</em></strong><em> This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by a Benzinga editor.</em></p>



<p><em>Photo courtesy: Mijansk786 on Shutterstock.com</em></p>

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<p>This week, Tesla faced significant challenges, including falling out of the top 10 EV makers. Gavin Newsom announced a $1 billion EV incentive program, while Tesla introduced affordable financing in China. North American EV demand dropped by 28%, and Tesla's Robotaxi services encountered issues. Ford is set to compete with Tesla's energy storage, and Chinese authorities are investigating EV makers over software-related range reductions.</p>

- Tesla Inc. faced notable developments this week, including a $1 billion EV incentive program announced by California Governor Gavin Newsom, set to launch on June 26.  
- The company introduced affordable financing options in China to boost domestic sales, despite a drop in North American EV demand, which fell by 28% in April.  
- Additionally, an investigation into EV makers by Chinese authorities over reduced vehicle ranges post-software updates has placed Tesla among those under scrutiny.

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This Week In Tesla: Elon Musk's EV Giant Falls Out Of Top 10 EV Makers, Gavin Newsom's Semi Truck Boost, Ford's Challenge And More