The Model Y refresh is now available to order for Chinese customers, with deliveries beginning in March. Everything is based on its success since the crossover represents around 1.2 million units, or two out of three Teslas sold.
Tesla has finally revealed one of its best-kept secrets, removing the fabric from a newer, refreshed version of its bestselling Model Y.
It’s hard to overstate how high the stakes are for CEO Elon Musk, whose company just suffered a historic decline in annual sales.
The mid-size crossover is by far the brand’s best-seller. Last year, about 1.2 million units were delivered, or two out of three cars sold by Tesla. Still, the vehicle faces increasing competition as it enters its sixth year in the U.S. market.
Scheduled for the first time in China in March, the new vehicle, named “Juniper”, is now available for order from Tesla. local website.
He retouches certain exterior styling elements, notably headlights who borrow heavily from Cybercab robot taxi conceptwhile proposing more in-depth changes to the cabin.
The long-range version, better suited to American roads, sells for 303,500 yuan ($41,400) and travels 719 kilometers (447 miles) on a single charge under China’s much more lenient test cycle. The latter represents a slight improvement of 4.5% compared to the current version.
The U.S. launch date, dollar price, and EPA-estimated driving range have not been released, but they are likely to be significantly different, if for no other reason than Tesla sources the majority of its vehicles manufactured in China locally.
Tesla did not respond to a Fortune request for comment.
A lot depends on Juniper’s success. No other major global automaker is so reliant on a single product to generate overall revenue and profits, let alone a company worth more than the rest of its collective peers combined.
Even a moderate drop in demand would have a big effect on Tesla’s business, especially since it’s not exactly clear when the electric vehicle maker will launch its low-cost entry model.
Investors hope Juniper will revive demand enough to keep Tesla factories operating with minimal discounts and margin-eroding incentives.
One of the main reasons production and deliveries fell last year was the belief that Model Y owners were waiting for Juniper to arrive before submitting their next purchase order.
“To achieve the accelerated sales growth envisioned in 2025, the new entry model is essential in our view,” UBS said, referring to Musk’s deal. promise to increase volumes 20 to 30% this year.
