The upcoming, more affordable version of the best-selling Model Y SUV was spotted on Thursday near Tesla‘s GigaTexas plant in Austin, suggesting that the new variant may be days away from launch.
Several of Tesla’s most influential content creators on X shared pictures of a visit to the company’s GigaFactory in Austin, Texas on Thursday, without mentioning any details of the visit.
A few hours later, a user on the same platform shared pictures of an upcoming Model Y variant driving near the plant, increasing the rumours that a new launch is imminent.
“Spotted an uncovered cheaper Model Y variant driving near Giga Texas,” X user ‘RyanMable‘ wrote.
The pictures showed a new trim of the SUV, with a redesigned front fascia, with no front light bar.
The vehicle has single-part headlights and a front bumper camera, and does not have Tesla‘s signature glass roof.
The new Model Y is rumored to come with 18-inch Aperture wheels and a simpler interior design.
Unlike current models, it may not include features like the second-row touchscreen.
These changes are reportedly part of Tesla’s effort to cut production costs and launch a more affordable Model Y trim, which the company has been promising for this year.
Tesla planned to start production of a much-anticipated, more affordable model in the first half of 2025, which was reaffirmed in its first-quarter shareholder deck.
In July, the EV maker reaffirmed the target, saying that production had started.
However, the production ramp-up was put on hold as the company focused on the EV credit expiry on September 30, according to CFO Vaibhav Taneja.
Reuters had already reported earlier this year that Tesla’s affordable model plans included a “stripped-down version of its best-selling electric SUV, the Model Y.”
The company’s VP of Engineering Lars Moravy had also stated that “models that come out in the next months will be built on our lines and will resemble, in form and shape, the cars we currently make,” while being more affordable.
Earlier this year, a drone flyover shared by the YouTube user ‘Met God in Wilderness‘ showed, for the first time, what seemed to be Tesla‘s upcoming affordable model at the Fremont factory.
Tesla delivered 497,099 vehicles in the third quarter, a new record for the company.
The Elon Musk-led company will report its financial results for the third quarter on October 22, after market close.
