Tesla has quietly rolled back one of its many and most recent controversial design choices. The company has reintroduced indicator stalks to the Model 3 sedan in China, after removing them as part of the 2023 facelift. Better still, existing owners of the 2023 and later Tesla Model 3 will also have the option to retrofit stalks, though at an additional cost.
A quiet but notable update
Tesla isn’t exactly known for issuing public apologies, and this update is no exception. The return of the indicator stalks wasn’t announced through a flashy press release or social media campaign. Instead, the change simply appeared on Tesla’s official Chinese website.
All Tesla Model 3 sedans currently sold in China are now equipped with indicator stalks. For those who already own the facelifted version of the car, internally referred to as the “Highland”, Tesla has introduced a retrofit program. Owners can visit a Tesla service centre and have the stalks fitted for ¥2499, which roughly translates to AU$535.
There is a catch, however. At this stage, only facelifted Model 3s built after February 7, 2025, are eligible for the official retrofit. Tesla has confirmed that cars produced before this date will also gain the option at a later date, although no exact timeline has been provided.
Why does this matter?
The return of the stalks may seem like a minor change, but it addresses one of the most discussed aspects of the Tesla Model 3’s 2023 redesign. When Tesla unveiled the Highland update, it introduced new styling inside and out, as well as some technological upgrades. But it also made a bold decision to remove both the indicator and gear selector stalks altogether.
In place of the traditional setup, indicator controls were replaced with touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel, while gear selection was relocated to a slider on the central touchscreen. The idea was to create a cleaner, more futuristic cabin. However, the reality was far less appealing to many drivers and reviewers, who found the controls to be less intuitive and more difficult to use while driving.
After months of criticism and online debate, it seems Tesla has decided to acknowledge the demand for a more practical solution quietly.
The Tesla Model Y did it differently
Interestingly, the Tesla Model Y avoided this issue entirely. Its facelift, introduced last year, retained the traditional indicator stalks from the beginning. This meant it sidestepped the controversy surrounding the Tesla Model 3’s redesign and may explain why Tesla only needed to backtrack on one model, instead of both. However, it seems the drive-selector will remain on the central touchscreen for Tesla models.
What does this mean for other markets?
Right now, the stalk’s comeback is limited to the Chinese market. But given that all Tesla Model 3s sold in Australia are manufactured in the Shanghai factory, it seems highly likely that the change will eventually reach other markets, including Australia.
If and when the update rolls out globally, Australian buyers could see new Tesla Model 3s delivered with stalks fitted as standard. Existing owners might also gain access to the retrofit option, potentially easing frustrations for those who disliked the touch-sensitive setup.
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