Model 3 Refresh: Tesla adds front bumper camera, restores turn signal stalk in Asian markets

Tesla has introduced new updates to the Model 3 in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, following earlier releases in China. While not a full redesign, the improvements reflect the EV maker’s ongoing strategy of refining its most popular electric vehicle.

The most notable exterior change is the addition of a front bumper camera. This new feature improves visibility by covering blind spots, allowing drivers to maneuver and park in tighter spaces more seamlessly. It also supports advancements in Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. Notably with this inclusion, every vehicle in Tesla’s lineup now carries a front bumper camera.

Another small exterior adjustment is the removal of the Tesla “T” logo from the front trunk, though the “TESLA” lettering on the rear trunk remains.

Inside the cabin, Tesla has extended the return of the traditional turn signal stalk. The feature was first reintroduced to the Model 3 in China earlier this year and is now being applied in other Asian markets.

The stalk replaces touch-sensitive steering wheel controls, which many drivers had found less intuitive, especially in heavy traffic. For drivers who purchased the stalkless Model 3, Tesla is offering a retrofit option.

Currently, these updates are being delivered from Giga Shanghai for the Asian market, but it is widely expected that the changes will eventually be introduced to North America and other regions.