Tesla does a U-turn and reinstalls turn signal stalk on Model 3 in China

In another reversal of a controversial design choice (yoke steering wheel was the last one), Tesla has brought back the humble turn signal stalk to its Model 3 sedan in China. The automaker, known for its minimalist and often polarizing interior designs, is now including the traditional stalk as standard equipment on all new Model 3 vehicles sold in the country, effectively ending a two-year experiment with steering wheel-mounted buttons.

Tesla first removed the stalks from the Model 3 in September 2023 with the launch of its updated version. The change also saw the gear selector stalk disappear. Drivers were instead to indicate turns using buttons on the left side of the steering wheel and select gears by swiping on the central touchscreen.

The idea was met with immediate criticism from drivers and reviewers, who found the buttons awkward and unintuitive, particularly when navigating roundabouts or making turns that required hand-over-hand steering.

Information now live on Tesla's Chinese website confirms the change. All variants of the popular electric car, from the base rear-wheel drive to the high-performance all-wheel drive model, will leave the Shanghai factory with the familiar stalk reinstalled.

For the thousands of customers who have already purchased a stalk-less Model 3, Tesla is offering a solution. Current owners can have a turn signal stalk retrofitted at a service center for RMB 2,499, which is approximately $350. According to the company's mobile app, this service will be available in mid-September for Model 3s produced after February 7, 2025. An option for vehicles built before that date is expected to follow later. There is no plan to reintroduce the steering column-mounted gear selector.

The decision to walk back the design change may be a strategic one. Tesla has a strong brand presence, but the market for electric cars in China is crowded with domestic competitors who are quick to adapt to consumer tastes. When Tesla launched an updated Model Y in China in January, the popular SUV kept its turn signal stalk, even as it adopted the touchscreen-based gear shifting from the Model 3.

While it is difficult to directly link a single design feature to sales, recent figures provide important context. Model 3 retail sales in China saw a year-on-year decline for the third straight month in July, falling 0.78 percent to 9,851 units. Month-over-month, the drop was a more significant 40.79%. Restoring a familiar, and arguably safer, control feature could be part of a strategy to maintain the appeal of the Model 3.

Via