Image: Tesla
Tesla has officially begun production of the 2026 Model 3 at its Fremont, California, factory, according to longtime Tesla watcher Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt). The first units rolling off the line are the new Model 3 Premium, a rebranding of the “Long Range” trim with several subtle but notable updates.
The 2026 Model 3 Premium includes all-black exterior logos, a front bumper camera with a washer, and the long-awaited return of the turn signal stalk — a feature Tesla removed during the 2023 “Highland” refresh. The company revamped its “Long Range” trim to “Premium” earlier this week, coinciding with the launch of its new Model 3 Standard and Model Y Standard, Tesla’s most affordable vehicles to date.
Image: @SawyerMerritt
The start of production indicates that Tesla could begin delivering the slightly refreshed 2026 Model 3 Premium in the coming weeks. Deliveries of the entry-level Model 3 Standard RWD are scheduled to begin next month.
The reintroduction of the turn signal stalk has been one of the most talked-about changes to the new Model 3. Tesla recently brought the stalk back in the U.S. and reintroduced it in China this August, following driver feedback that the touch-sensitive turn buttons were unintuitive. The company has even launched a retrofit program in the U.S. for existing Model 3 owners to add the stalk back for $595, though Tesla has confirmed that no front bumper camera retrofit will be offered.
The front-facing bumper camera is another key addition to the 2026 Model 3, improving visibility for parking and low-speed maneuvers. Tesla’s top-tier Model 3 Performance will also feature the same updates, including the return of the stalk and the new front camera.
With production underway in Fremont, the 2026 Model 3 lineup marks another step in Tesla’s ongoing refinement of its best-selling sedan — and signals that deliveries of the refreshed model could be right around the corner.
Returning of the stocks.
Changing things for no good reason was always Trump‘s Signature platform. That way you can go back and fix it and take credit for that idea which is supposed to show how smart you are, according to Trump logic.
It now appears that Elon is using that Trump logic at Tesla now that he has had some sober moments.
Oh Jeez…TDS much? You're an enormous, illiterate clown…"stocks"…lol.