Tesla is busy with all sorts of improvements to its best-selling but now obsolete electric vehicle in an attempt to please customers around the world. While on US market the American car manufacturer is banking on autonomous driving, and on robots, in Asia has chosen to propose an upgrade of its model Y: he has thus planned to produce a variant of six places of his Model Y car in China starting in late 2025, Reuters reports, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter. As a result, Tesla asked the suppliers to prepare for a double-digit increase in production of the Model Y at its Shanghai plant. It remains unclear how Tesla can increase production at the plant, since it is still pending approval to expand 70 hectares of former farmland, the agency said.
Il Tesla stock in the pre-market of the Nasdaq (closed yesterday for holidays) it is at 215,48 dollars (+0,64%)
Pressure from Chinese competitors
Tesla has already seen a 6% annual increase in domestic and international Model 3 deliveries during the January-June period, boosted by the launch of a refreshed version last year. The company launched the Model Y in 2020 and has refreshed it under a project it calls “Juniper.” That variant will have five seats and launch in early 2025 instead of this year as originally planned. The addition of a six-seater variant It is probably the result of pressure practiced in China by national rivals. In the United States, however, Tesla is prioritizing autonomous driving technology and the development of robotaxis.
Chinese rivals have unveiled at least this year four competing models of Tesla's Model Y, including the Onvo L60 Nio and the 7X from zeekr with roomier interiors and lower prices than flagship models. Tesla's Model Y crossover is the best-selling car in China across all engine types, with 207.800 units sold in the January-June period, although Tesla's Seagull sedan BYD is catching up. Tesla expects its Total sales in China will increase in the third quarter thanks to strong growth in smaller cities, despite having reduced its sales force in the Global May layoffs, which could lead to improved profitability. Sales could also benefit from the introduction of the Full Self-Driving feature, expected in China by the end of the year. In the United States, Tesla sells a Model Y at seven seats, but according to some sources a third row of seats that is too narrow would make it unpopular in China.
Policemen Driving Teslas: What's Happening in the US and Italy
But not everyone likes the Tesla Y. Among the dissatisfied are US police officers. According to a recent report, using the Tesla Model Y could lead to several long-term advantages, including a saving of about $84.000 over ten years compared to the Ford Explorer, which is very popular among American police departments. And while officers point to acceleration and maneuverability as the major advantages of the electric SUV from Elon Musk's carmaker, they also highlight negative aspects. For example, officers have found difficulties inside the passenger compartment due to its narrow space and difficulty to access to weapons due to the height of the center console. They also reported that the autopilot system often interfered during patrol operations. The management of the touch screen, instead, would be too chaotic. Finally, problems have also been found with the automatic door lock.
Also in Italy The traffic police have chosen Tesla, the Model X, for some patrol services. The electric car is currently being tested and, if necessary, more units could arrive in the future. The Model X can reach a top speed of 262 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3,9 seconds, which is particularly suitable for pursuits.
