Model Y undergoes redesign, debuts in China through Tesla's venture

Model Y undergoes redesign, debuts in China through Tesla's venture

**Tesla Unveils Facelifted Model Y in China: Improved Design, Range, and Competitive Pricing**

Tesla has officially listed the facelifted Model Y on its Chinese website, marking the latest update to the popular electric SUV. Dubbed the 2025 "Juniper" refresh, the Model Y has undergone significant changes in design, performance, and pricing, aiming to consolidate Tesla's position in the Chinese EV market.

**Design Changes**

The Model Y has received a completely redesigned exterior, enhancing aerodynamics and efficiency. Notable changes include a new full-width rear light bar connecting the taillights and sleeker headlights, both of which improve nighttime visibility. Updated wheels and tires have also been introduced, reducing structural body casting from 70 to 1, providing a quieter and smoother driving experience. These aerodynamic enhancements are expected to improve range, performance, and overall vehicle longevity, following the trend set by the recent Model 3 Highland refresh with an improved drag coefficient.

**Performance Improvements**

The dual-motor Model Y Long Range AWD variant now boasts an extended CLTC range of 750 km, up from 719 km previously. This improvement comes without changing the battery pack but instead through optimizations in power consumption and vehicle dynamics. Performance enhancements likely include a quicker 0-100 km/h acceleration time, though specific figures for the Model Y's sprint time were not detailed. However, the Model 3 upgrades show a 3.8-second 0-100 km/h time, hinting at similar enhancements for the Model Y.

**Price Changes**

The Model Y Long Range AWD's price in China remains unchanged at approximately CNY 313,500 (around RM185,000). This contrasts with the Model 3 Long Range AWD, which saw an increase in price due to performance boosts being included as standard. Tesla's decision to keep the Model Y price steady despite the upgrades suggests a competitive strategy to maintain its market position amid rising local EV competition.

The facelifted Model Y will offer two variants called the "Launch Series." Both variants have a top speed of 201 km/h, slightly lower than their predecessors. The entry-level version is priced up by RMB 13,600, or 5.44 percent, over its predecessor. The starting price for the rear-wheel-drive version is RMB 263,500 yuan, while the long-range all-wheel-drive version starts at RMB 303,500 yuan.

Deliveries of the facelifted Model Y are expected to begin in March. Customers who order the model before then can get an additional 2 years or 40,000 kilometers of extended warranty. The sales deadline for the Launch Series of the facelifted Model Y is February 28.

Tesla's factory in Shanghai, its largest in the world, has an annual capacity of about 1 million vehicles. The plant produces the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover, both five-seat models. The Model Y is one of the best-selling models in China and has become an anchor point for the pricing of many local electric SUVs.

The facelift of the Model Y is crucial for Tesla to stay competitive in the Chinese EV market, where it faces stiff competition from local brands like Xiaomi and Xpeng. With its improved design, extended range, and competitive pricing, the facelifted Model Y aims to meet the demands of discerning Chinese consumers and maintain Tesla's position as a leader in the EV market.

1. Tesla's Model Y, a popular electric SUV, has been updated in China with improved design, range, and competitive pricing.
2. The new Model Y has a redesigned exterior for enhanced aerodynamics and efficiency, including a full-width rear light bar, sleeker headlights, and updated wheels.
3. Performance improvements include an extended CLTC range of 750 km in the dual-motor Long Range AWD variant, achieved through power consumption and vehicle dynamics optimizations.
4. Tesla's facelifted Model Y will offer two variants, the "Launch Series," priced at RMB 263,500 for the entry-level, rear-wheel-drive version and RMB 303,500 for the long-range all-wheel-drive version.
5. Deliveries of the facelifted Model Y are expected to begin in March, with customers who order before then receiving an additional 2 years or 40,000 kilometers of extended warranty.
6. Tesla's Shanghai factory, its largest globally, produces the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover, the latter being one of the best-selling models in China.
7. The facelifted Model Y is crucial for Tesla to remain competitive in China's EV market, where it faces competition from local brands like Xiaomi and Xpeng.
8. The updated Model Y aims to meet the demands of discerning Chinese consumers and maintain Tesla's position as a leader in the global EV market, as it continues to contribute to advancements in the transportation, automotive, and technology industries, shaping a more electric-vehicle and sustainable lifestyle.

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