- The new Tesla Model Y ‘Juniper’ will be built in California, Shanghai, Texas, and Berlin.
- The updated EV takes design inspiration from the Cybertruck and Cybercab lineup.
- Chinese reports state the updated Model Y has already racked up 50,000 pre-orders.
Several real-world images of the thoroughly updated Tesla Model Y, codenamed project ‘Juniper’, have emerged from China, accompanied by reports claiming that up to 50,000 orders for the new EV have already been placed. The Model Y has consistently been a favorite in the Chinese market, and last year, it earned the title of the country’s best-selling car, with over 480,000 units sold.
Perhaps the two most interesting photos of the new Model Y were shared on Chinese social media, showing what seems to be Launch Edition finished in Glacier Blue (although the color looks more grayish in these pictures), as evidenced by the new badge on the tailgate.
This particular Model Y is positioned at the front of a long lineup of cars that includes both pre-facelift models and at least one other facelifted version. It’s highly likely that this is one of the first units to roll off Tesla’s Shanghai assembly line.
Read: 2025 Tesla Model Y Debuts With Cybercab Looks And Turn Signal Stalks
Admittedly, these images don’t do the updated Model Y any favors. Its proportions come across as a little awkward, with the roofline appearing unusually high and the body looking narrower than it is—likely an issue with the photography rather than the design itself. Official photos released by Tesla last week confirm that the vehicle’s proportions remain largely unchanged from the outgoing model, maintaining the same familiar stance.
Meanwhile, images from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology offer a better perspective on the refreshed design. The front fascia takes cues from the angular styling of the Cybertruck and Cybercab, featuring a split headlamp setup with thin LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and a light bar.
Around the back, redesigned taillights and an additional light bar give the SUV a more contemporary vibe. However, the black trim connecting the taillights has drawn mixed reactions. Some have likened the new Model Y’s taillight styling to that the Toyota Prius or, less flatteringly, the long-defunct Dodge Dart.
Specifications
Chinese regulatory data sheds some more light on the Model Y’s powertrain options in the country. The base rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variant will produce 295 hp (220 kW), while the all-wheel-drive (AWD) model pairs a 184-hp (137 kW) front motor with a 260-hp (194 kW) rear motor.
Both models come with some unique trim-related touches tailored to China, including a Plaid-like badge and Chinese characters on the tailgate. The AWD launch edition, branded as the Model Y+, includes the otherwise optional Acceleration Boost feature as standard, giving it an extra performance edge right out of the box.
Strong Demand
Despite a growing preference among local buyers for Chinese EV brands, the response to the updated Model Y appears to be positive. According to Chinese auto bloggers, as many as 50,000 orders were placed been placed on the day of its unveiling. CarNewsChina adds that Tesla sales staff in China have reported a surge of interest, with many receiving hundreds of orders shortly after the announcement. Local deliveries are expected to begin as early as April or May.
Tesla is betting that the refreshed Model Y will further bolster Chinese sales even further. Last year, 480,309 Model Ys were sold across the country, surpassing the 456,394 units delivered in 2023. December was an especially strong month, with 61,881 vehicles finding new owners.
