Tesla has cut prices of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y in the United States. All variants have cheapened, the cheaper ones less, the more expensive ones more. In addition, just a few days ago the Tesla Model Y RWD was introduced, an electric crossover with good value for money, rear-wheel drive and LFP battery, which has been known in Europe for a long time. In Netherlands it costs from 46.990 euros, while in US it is priced at $43,990.
Cheaper Teslas in the United States. Preparation for the Model 3+ Highland and facelift?
The reductions amounted to about 3.1 to 4.1 percent, so they were not gigantic, but they were noticeable, as Dirty Tesla put it together:
Model 3 and Y get further price cuts… how does this make you feel? $TSLA
Model Y LR: $48,490 (from $50,490)
Model Y P: $52,490 (from $54,490)
Model 3 RWD: $38,990 (from $40,240)
Model 3 LR: $45,990 (from $47,240)
Model 3 P: $50,990 (from $53,240)— Dirty Tesla (@DirtyTesLa) October 6, 2023
Analysts believe that Tesla wants to kickstart sales in this way in order to reach the planned 1.8 million cars delivered throughout 2023. There are also claims that this is about preparing the US market for the Tesla Model 3 Highland and the refreshed Model Y. This is because the “old” Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y without ambient lighting in the cabin are still available in the United States.
The new Tesla Model 3 Highland and Tesla Model Y are rolling out of Giga Shanghai, the latter may soon appear at Giga Berlin as well. The factory in Fremont, California, USA, produces the Model 3 and Model Y according to the oldest designs, all with Panasonic’s 2170 (21 mm diameter, 70 mm high) cells. Giga Texas produces Model Y with two castings and 4680 Tesla cells, a newer incarnation, but without recent changes (illustrations below). It is scheduled for a shutdown in the last quarter of the year, which will probably involve a refresh of the electric crossover:
In other words: while Europe is served almost exclusively by the Giga Shanghai (Model 3, Model Y) and Giga Berlin (Model Y), North America receives primarily cars from Fremont. So the price cuts there are the result of some strategic decisions rather than cost optimization, thus they may or may not occur on the Old Continent. More: Tesla may not be eager to cut prices, since it has just upgraded one variant (the Model 3 Highland), and any moment now it may change another.
For now, Tesla Model Y cars of the (model year?) 2024 are available with the existing hubcaps, the current design suggests, without ambient lighting. After all, it is worth noting that the visualization of the headlights has changed:
