The Tesla Model Y is an upcoming electric compact crossover utility vehicle (CUV) in development by Tesla, Inc. It was unveiled in March 2019, with deliveries starting in late 2020. It is Tesla's second vehicle built upon the tier-3 mass-market-vehicle platform, alongside the Model 3. Model Y will offer optional third-row seats for a seven-passenger seating capacity.
There are currently four planned powertrains for the Model Y: Standard Range, Long Range, Long Range with Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive, and Performance. All models are planned to be available by late 2020, apart from the Standard Range model, which is planned to enter production in early 2021. The Model Y fills a smaller size segment from its bigger sibling, the tier-2 premium market Tesla Model X.
In 2013, Tesla Motors filed for a trademark on "Model Y".
In 2015, Elon Musk teased a Model 3-based Model Y with falcon-wing doors.
In 2017, the Model Y's silhouette was teased to Tesla shareholders at the annual general meeting in June. Elon Musk also announced that the Model Y would be produced in a new factory, as it was not likely that the Fremont plant would have room to accommodate another production line.
In June 2018, a new silhouette was revealed by CEO Musk. With the new image, it was stated that the Model Y would be formally announced in March 2019. The Model Y announcement had been planned for 2018, however production problems with the Model 3 resulted in it being pushed to 2019. In October 2018, Elon Musk revealed that he has approved the finalized design for the first production version of the Model Y, however production would not start until 2020.
On 3 March 2019, Elon Musk published multiple tweets, announcing the unveiling event and confirming some specifications. Musk confirmed the vehicle will use standard doors, as opposed to the falcon-wing doors used on the Model X.
On 14 March 2019, Elon Musk debuted the Tesla Model Y at an event at Tesla's design studio in Hawthorne, CA, where specifications were announced and the vehicle was shown. Test drives of multiple Model Y vehicles were also offered to attendees after the presentation.
Tesla has stated that Model Y will be assembled at Gigafactory 1 in Nevada, along with the battery and drivetrain for the vehicles, unlike the Model 3, where drivetrains and batteries are assembled at Gigafactory 1, and final assembly is completed at the Tesla Factory in Fremont, California. A later report confirmed that Tesla, instead plans to shuffle production lines at the Tesla Factory to make space for Model Y production. Later, Model Y will also be assembled at Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai, China.
US deliveries will start in late 2020 for the Long Range, Dual Motor, and Performance versions; deliveries will start in early 2021 for the Standard Range version. After initial rollout, Tesla is expected to begin shipping cars to the Canadian and Mexican markets, and right-hand drive European markets thereafter. Once Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai is operational, Model Y vehicles for Asian markets will be available.
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