Key Takeaways
1. The launch of Tesla’s budget-friendly Model Y in the U.S. has been delayed, with production now aimed for 2026.
2. Elon Musk hinted at an affordable Tesla model for the U.S. in early 2024, but it’s unclear if it’s the Model Y or a new model like the Model 2.
3. The budget Model Y, referred to as E41, will be a simplified version of the Juniper refresh, potentially lacking premium features.
4. The starting price for the economical Model Y is expected to be around $40,000, with production costs estimated to be 20% lower than the current model.
5. Tesla is likely to reveal more details about the Model Y delays during its upcoming earnings announcement.
After the introduction of the more affordable and smaller Model Y, there are reports that the Juniper refresh in China has been pushed back to 2026. It seems that a similar situation might be unfolding for the U.S. model of Tesla’s popular budget-friendly vehicle.
Though insiders did not confirm if the delay is related to supply chain challenges arising from the tariff conflicts with the White House, they suggest that Tesla’s timeline for the smaller, less expensive version of the Model Y in the U.S. has been pushed back. It appears that Tesla is now aiming to manufacture 250,000 units of this model in 2026.
Elon Musk’s Comments on the Release
During the last quarterly earnings call, Elon Musk stated that there is still an affordable Tesla model planned for a U.S. launch in the first half of the year. However, it remains unclear whether he was referring to the more affordable Model Y or another model akin to the Model 2, which has been speculated to look like a smaller version of the Y. Reports indicate that the launch window has shifted to around the holiday season or early next year, coinciding with the launch in China.
Details on the Cheaper Model Y
The budget-friendly Model Y, internally referred to as E41, is expected to be a significantly simplified version of the Juniper refresh. Tesla may replicate their strategy with the Cybertruck, offering a basic RWD model that features cloth seating, lacks air suspension, and is missing many other premium features.
In the past, a similar approach was taken with the Model 3 in Mexico, although those vehicles maintained the same dimensions as the original Model 3 or Cybertruck. Elon Musk has previously stated that the new budget model, once called Model 2, will indeed be “smaller, to be certain.”
Pricing and Production Costs
This concept could easily extend to a downsized, simplified Model Y that Tesla plans to sell for considerably less than the Juniper refresh AWD model, which currently retails for over $50,000. The production expenses for the economical Model Y E41 are believed to be 20% lower, potentially allowing it to be priced starting at $40,000 before any federal tax incentives—making it an attractive option for buyers.
The production strategy for this economical Model Y, likely to feature a single-motor RWD setup, is still uncertain, with the launch leaning towards the holiday quarter or early next year. This timeframe is also when Tesla is expected to unveil a more basic Model 3, which could become its least expensive vehicle.
Tesla is set to announce earnings next week and may provide additional information regarding the delays surrounding the smaller, more affordable Model Y.
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