Tesla shares at a glance: Launch of a new Model Y variant in the USA

• Tesla expands product range with new Model Y variant
• Model 3 and Model Y dominated Tesla’s 2025 sales
• Cox Automotive: The US electric vehicle market is expected to grow in 2026

On February 2, 2026, the from Elon Musk Electric car manufacturer Tesla introduced a new variant of its successful Model Y. A day later, Musk shared a user’s post on X (formerly Twitter) that referenced the new “Model Y AWD”:

NEWS: Tesla has just launched a new Model Y variant in the US called the Model Y AWD for $41,990.

• 294 mile range
• 0-60mph: 4.6s

Tesla has also renamed the Model Y Standard to the Model Y RWD.

New US Model Y lineup:
• Model Y RWD
• Model Y AWD
• Model Y Premium RWD… pic.twitter.com/ZyHpRaxPeT

– Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) February 3, 2026

New AWD variants in the USA

According to Tesla’s website, the electric car manufacturer expanded its Model Y range in the USA with a new all-wheel drive version: With the new Model Y AWD, a cheaper all-wheel drive variant is coming onto the market for the first time. Priced at $41,990, it sits below the Premium and Performance versions, which cost $48,990 and $57,490 respectively.

Model Y with all-wheel drive expands selection

According to the official specifications on the Tesla website, the entry-level AWD model of the Model Y accelerates faster than the rear-wheel-drive entry-level model of the RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive) series. The information regarding comfort, equipment and a range of around 294 miles shows that the all-wheel drive version lags behind the higher-quality premium and performance variants of the AWD series. Buyers can therefore choose between a lower-cost all-wheel drive option and a premium or performance version with expanded features, making the Model Y portfolio even more versatile and attractive.

Tesla’s previous standard versions

Already in October 2025, Tesla had reduced the starting prices of the cheaper standard versions of Model Y and Model 3 by around $5,000, reports Reuters. For 2026, these cost-effective models are a central component of Tesla’s approach: They are intended to make the brand more attractive for cost-conscious buyers, it goes on to say. The Model Y vehicles are among the company’s best-selling vehicles: According to company information, Tesla delivered a total of around 1,585,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles worldwide in 2025. Since Tesla does not break down deliveries by individual model, only combined figures can be viewed. However, if you compare the numbers, it becomes clear that Model 3 and Model Y were sold far more frequently than the other Tesla models, of which only just under 51,000 vehicles were delivered together.

US electric car market expects growth in 2026

Data from Cox Automotive shows that US electric car sales fell significantly in the fourth quarter of 2025: With only 234,000 units sold, they were 46 percent below the previous quarter, primarily as a result of the expiration of government purchase incentives.

Overall, 2025 was still successful for Tesla: The electric car manufacturer remained the market leader in 2025 with 589,000 units sold, General Motors followed with over 150,000 vehicles sold, Cox Automotive continued.

For 2026, Cox Automotive expects moderate growth – supported by new models such as the 2026 Chevrolet Bolt, the Rivian R2 and the BMW iX3 SUV as well as the further expansion of the charging infrastructure. However, political uncertainty remains an important factor as there is less pressure on manufacturers to reduce emissions, but Cox Automotive expects the US market to continue to shift to electric mobility in the long term.

Editorial team finanzen.net

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