A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.<\/p>\n
The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla\u2019s roots in the fleet and security industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A strategic fit<\/strong><\/p>\n Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.<\/p>\n That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.<\/p>\n \u201cI posted this four years ago, but I think it\u2019s more true now than ever,\u201d wrote Whole Mars Catalog<\/a>, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. \u201cTesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.\u201d<\/p>\n I posted this four years ago, but I think it\u2019s more true now than ever. <\/p>\n Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP FIT unlocks large gov & commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization. <\/p>\n They also have some\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/z2x8NRdQpI<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/tUd08SzyHz<\/a>\u2014 Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) July 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt<\/a> echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a \u201cgreat fit within Tesla.\u201d adding, \u201cThey are literally located directly next to Tesla\u2019s design studio in Hawthorne.\u201d<\/p>\n Enabling the next wave<\/strong><\/p>\n Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla\u2019s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments<\/a>, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.<\/p>\n \u201cJust imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,\u201d the veteran FSD tester wrote.<\/p>\n The benefits could also extend to Tesla\u2019s existing consumer base. \u201cThey also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers \u2014 not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that\u2019s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,\u201d Whole Mars Catalog noted.<\/p>\n Thank you. Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla<\/a> and @UnpluggedTesla<\/a>. I appreciate your earlier 2021 post and today\u2019s as well. We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community\u2019s support since 2013!\u2014 Ben Schaffer (@BenSchafferUP) July 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla\u2019s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a \u201cmission-aligned\u201d partner to Tesla.<\/p>\n In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. \u201cOur very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,\u201d Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer<\/a> posted on X. \u201cWe love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community\u2019s support since 2013!\u201d\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n
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