Tesla is reportedly prepping a new Model Y for next year under the codename "Project Juniper." The news comes a few months after reports suggested that the company is working on a complete redesign of its entry-level Model 3 sedan, which has started showing its age. Dubbed "Project Highland," the new Model 3 is expected to launch in Sep. 2023, although it could be billed as a 2024 model. The redesign will reportedly help Tesla reduce the production cost of the Model 3 sedan after the company was forced to implement multiple price-cuts in recent months amidst increased competition from global and domestic companies.
Tesla is reportedly working on a complete revamp of its Model Y crossover as part of its plans to introduce new designs and features to its current portfolio. The new Model Y will reportedly have a redesigned body, refreshed interiors, and upgraded powertrain that should make it more desirable than the current model that recently received a massive $13,000 price-cut. The report, which comes from Reuters, claims that production of the new model is tentatively set to start in Oct. 2024, and Tesla is already believed to be asking for new quotes from suppliers for exterior and interior components.
Revamped Model Y Coming In 2024
It's not immediately clear exactly how much "Juniper" will differ from the existing model, but it could bring more cohesion between different versions of the car built in different parts of the world. One such change could see the company include a structural battery pack with all versions of the vehicle instead of only a few of the units manufactured in the Austin Gigafactory. The Model Y is currently manufactured in all of Tesla's factories, including Austin, Shanghai, and Berlin.
While the revamped Model Y is only expected to go into production next year, the new Model 3 will reportedly go into production in the third-quarter of this year. According to Reuters, the redesign will include changes to the Model 3’s exterior and the powertrain, meaning it could be a substantial change like the next-gen Model Y. At the core, the changes are expected to be a cost-cutting exercise, but buyers will also be hoping for some new hardware and substantial design upgrades.
Along with the Model 3, the Model Y is one of the two 'affordable' Teslas on sale. It is a compact crossover that was originally unveiled in March 2019 before entering production the following year. According to a report from Jan. 2023, it is currently the best-selling EV in the U.S. and the sixth best-selling vehicle overall, slotting in after the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram Pickup, Toyota RAV4, and Toyota Camry. With the Model Y already a smash hit among consumers, the new changes could only help it become more popular in the coming years.
Source: Reuters