• The rumor mill about new Tesla models is simmering
• Speculations about a smaller version of the Model Y
• Tesla probably expects strong demand for the cheaper model
Speculations about new Tesla models
Tesla boss Elon Musk once promised a $25,000 model. At the investor day in early March, Tesla’s chief engineer Lars Moravy then explained that the costs of producing the next generation of vehicles could be reduced by up to 50 percent, which would bring the company closer to Musk’s “cheap Tesla”.
According to insiders at the time, Tesla had already begun converting its Shanghai plant for a facelifted version of the Model 3, codenamed Highland. In addition, it has already been said that the Musk group is currently revising its compact SUV, the Model Y, under the code name “Juniper”. As Reuters reported, citing several people familiar with the plans, the changes would affect both the vehicle’s exterior and interior. At the beginning of March, it was said that production of the new model should start as early as 2024. Ed Kim, AutoPacifc’s chief analyst, explained that it’s important for Tesla to keep the Model Y fresh because it’s the company’s best-selling and best-selling electric vehicle. In his opinion, Tesla could further expand its productivity advantage with the Highland and Juniper projects.
Vehicle spotted in China
As Teslamag reports, citing the Asian news site 36Kr, there is now more specific information about Tesla’s new, cheaper model. Several industry insiders have learned that the next Tesla model will be a smaller Model Y.
A vehicle in camouflage film has been sighted several times in China and is said to have looked like a smaller Model Y. The car was similar to the Tesla with its headlights, taillights, etc., but the size was more reminiscent of a Mazda CX-30, which is slightly smaller than Tesla’s SUV. Another indication that this model seen in China is actually a Tesla brand vehicle was provided by a scene on a supercharger in which a company service vehicle was located in the background.
Strong demand expected
Tesla is apparently assuming brisk demand for its new, affordable model. According to Bloomberg, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced at the last investors’ day that the desire to own a Tesla is “indistinguishable from infinity” and that demand will go “crazy” if the US electric car maker makes its cars more affordable. And so the production volume of the new model should be four million units a year. Two million units are to be produced in North America – in large part in the planned new Tesla plant in Mexico – while the factories in China and Germany are each to take on another million.
After Tesla had already roughly doubled its production capacity in 2022, the US electric car manufacturer wants to continue growing rapidly, considering that Tesla was only able to deliver around 1.3 million vehicles across all models last year. The group has set itself the goal of delivering 1.8 million vehicles this year.
New platform promises to reduce costs and increase efficiency
In addition to the construction of the new factory in Mexico, the new factory announced by Tesla should make the high production figures possible electric carplatform that is intended to serve as the basis for several models and is intended not only to reduce the production costs of the new vehicle generation by up to 50 percent, but also to increase efficiency. Tesla chief engineer Lars Moravy described the future production on Investor Day as a modular system in which groups of modules are plugged together, which saves considerable time. According to former China boss Tom Zhu, who is now number two behind company boss Elon Musk, Tesla’s goal is to roll a car off the assembly line every 45 seconds.
However, those who are interested will have to wait a little longer until the cheap Tesla is available. According to 36Kr’s report, it should take at least a year.
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