Tesla plans to launch production of a six-seat version of the Model Y electric crossover in China from the end of 2025, seeking to increase the attractiveness of its best-selling but already outdated model, Reuters writes, citing informed sources.
Image Source: Tesla
Tesla has told suppliers to prepare for a double-digit increase in Model Y production at its Shanghai plant, one of the sources said. The company is currently awaiting government approval to expand the plant’s territory by 70 hectares using former agricultural land.
Previously, it was reported that Tesla plans to release this year a new five-seat version of the Model Y released in 2020 called Project Juniper, but, according to a Reuters source, the launch of its production has been postponed to early next year. The addition of a six-seat Model Y indicates pressure from competitors in China, while in the US Tesla is prioritizing improvements in self-driving technology and the development of robotaxis, Reuters noted.
According to the news agency, the Chinese companies have unveiled four Model Y competitors, including Nio’s Onvo L60 and Zeekr’s 7X, with more spacious interiors and lower prices than Tesla’s flagship models. The Model Y crossover is the best-selling car in China, with sales of 207,800 units in January-June 2024, although BYD’s Seagull sedan is already close.