Tesla expected to introduce all-wheel-drive system

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Electric carmaker Tesla Motors is expected to unveil its first all-wheel-drive system Thursday night.

Tesla hasn’t confirmed what it will show at the glitzy event outside Los Angeles. The only hint came last week, when CEO Elon Musk tweeted, “About time to unveil the D and something else.”

But industry analysts believe “the D” refers to a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system.

Tesla’s only current vehicle, the Model S sedan, is rear-wheel drive. That has limited sales in snowier climates and in Europe.

Analysts say Tesla needs an all-wheel-drive system to compete with other luxury cars from Mercedes-Benz and Audi. Sales have dipped in the United States this year.

Tesla has said that its Model X crossover, which goes on sale next year, will have all-wheel drive.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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