After unveiling the refreshed Model 3 under the codename ‘Project Highland,’ Tesla is now gearing up for a substantial update to the Model Y in 2024. This new version is expected to launch around the middle of the year. The facelift will debut in China, as the automaker fights to stay ahead of the local competition, which is threatening its position as the largest EV manufacturer.
While Tesla did introduce an update to the Model Y in China earlier this year, it was a minor one, primarily featuring new wheel designs and lighting enhancements. The upcoming 2024 facelift is expected to bring far more significant changes to the popular all-electric crossover.
The automaker is preparing its Shanghai plant for the more substantial update, which could commence in mid-2024, according to sources who spoke to Bloomberg on condition of anonymity. The revisions will impact both the interior and exterior.
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In order to prepare for the updated Model Y, the second phase of Tesla’s Shanghai facility will pause production for about a week during the New Year holiday (which, in China, will be celebrated on February 10) for partial upgrades. More adjustments will have to be made before production can begin, though.
This update is a big deal for Tesla, especially in China where the Model Y makes up nearly 75 percent of its sales. While it’s a global best-seller, it’s facing fierce competition from domestic players like BYD and Xpeng, who are eager to dethrone Tesla as the reigning EV champion.
Unfortunately, it’s not clear yet whether Tesla intends to implement these changes in vehicles destined for other global markets, and the exact nature of these modifications remains unspecified.
However, it’s likely that they will mirror the updates seen in the related Model 3 sedan, which received a a sharper exterior design and extended range. The interior was also enhanced, and it gained new safety features like a blind spot monitor and an active hood for pedestrian protection. This update is also making its debut in international markets before being introduced in Tesla’s home market, the United States.
