In China, Tesla has introduced a minor update to its Model Y crossover. The changes include a slightly faster 0-100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds and black-painted base Gemini Wheels, giving the vehicle a sleeker appearance. Additionally, the interior now features ambient lighting in the form of an LED strip on the dashboard. Despite these updates, the price of the base Model Y remains the same at RMB 263,900 ($36,100). This update is seen as an effort by Tesla to maintain strong sales of its best-selling all-electric crossover in the competitive Chinese market.
It should be noted that this update is not the highly-anticipated “Project Juniper” update to the Model Y that has been previously mentioned. Project Juniper is expected to incorporate exterior and interior changes from the Model 3 Highland. The current update can be seen as a minor refresh between the current generation Model Y and Project Juniper. One interesting detail is that the base Model Y now has a faster 0-100 km/h time than the base Model 3 Highland, despite being larger and heavier.
Overall, this update to the Model Y in China aims to enhance the vehicle’s appeal and maintain its competitiveness in the market. While it may not be the major update that has been anticipated, the changes to the exterior and interior design, along with the improved acceleration, contribute to making the Model Y a more compelling choice for customers. By continuously improving their products, Tesla China seeks to sustain the popularity and sales of the Model Y in the Chinese market.