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Tesla ‘drops’ entry-level Model S. But was it ever going to be available?

The 40kWh version of the Tesla Model S is being dropped by Tesla in the US, but we do wonder if Tesla ever had any intention of delivering it in the first place. Tesla’s big claim ahead of the arrival of the, very impressive, Model S – and a seemingly vital part of the US taxpayer funding Tesla to develop the Model S – was that they would deliver a car that cost under $50k, something the car industry thought impossible. But when the Model S was launched, Tesla did indeed have an entry-level model available with a 4okWh battery that was listed at $58,750 (taking it almost down to the $50k mark after the US taxpayer chipped in the EV bribe) so Elon Musk could, quite reasonably, claim Tesla had delivered.

2013 Mazda MX-5 Facelift on sale next week

The mildly revised 2013 Mazda MX-5 – with a new nose and some minor tweaks – goes on sale in the UK on 1st December. Perhaps the only really noticeable bit of the ‘upgrade’ for the MX-5 is a tweaked nose with a slightly bolder front bumper, but there are other changes too. The seven model MX-5 lineup for 2013 sees the arrival of the 2.0-litre MX-5 Sport Tech Nav models – yes, you guessed it, they get SatNav – and the bonnet gets an active bonnet system to pop up if you happen to scoop up a passing pedestrian, mitigating injuries.

Say Chevrolet--not Chevy--GM tells employees

From racetracks in the heartland to the iconic strains of “American Pie,” one word--Chevy--has transcended class and culture and helped raise the bow-tie brand to the lofty status as one of the most recognized in the world. But now, one of the most blue-collar and singularly American marques is going formal: General Motors has told its employees to use the world “Chevrolet” instead of the commonly used “Chevy” nickname. An internal memo distributed this week directs workers to use the official name in all communications, from official duties to simple conversations.