The updated Model Y, codenamed Juniper, which is expected to have the same features as the updated “Highland” Model 3, will begin mass production in China next month, according to local media.
The news was reported by local news site LatePost, and brought to the English world by CnEVPost.
The original report talked a lot about the departure of Song Gang, the former director of Tesla's Shanghai factory, which we reported on earlier today.
But beyond that, it said mass production will begin with the new Model Y in January.
The refreshed Model Y has been long awaited, and is expected to include many improvements for the 2023 Model 3 refresh. The main features of that car are a new front end, excellent performance, and a quiet cabin. But there have been many other interior improvements (and one major omission, the removal of the steering column graduations).
And we know it's coming soon, because there have been several sightings and leaks recently (including a 2-second video taken last week in San Jose). In October, Chinese social media said the refresh was about to enter trial production, and a few days later we saw a photo of the refreshed Model Y outside the Shanghai factory.
So it's no surprise that more information can be leaked about the upcoming production as well.
The report also suggests that the rumored Model Y 6 will begin production in Shanghai in the fourth quarter of 2025 – so it's still a ways off.
As for delivery times, the report does not specify when that might happen. But there may be a wait, especially here in the US.
When the Model 3 first came out, it started shipping overseas and it took about 5 months for delivery to start in the US. If the Model Y is on the same schedule, it may not be seen in the US until the middle of the year.
As for official comments from Tesla, all we've heard is that there won't be a refresh of the Model Y “this year” – but that's over in two weeks, so the doors are wide open for the Model Y to hit the market anytime. now.
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