Overview
- Reuters reported Thursday, citing four people, that Tesla has begun early work on an all-new compact SUV and has recently contacted suppliers about manufacturing plans.
- The proposed model would be about 4.28 meters long, notably shorter than the Model Y, and target a price below today’s entry Model 3.
- To cut costs it would use a smaller battery, a single motor, and a lighter body of roughly 1.5 metric tons, which would mean less range than current Model Y ratings.
- Three sources said initial production is planned for Tesla’s Shanghai factory with possible expansion to the United States and Europe, though production is unlikely to start this year and Tesla has not confirmed the plan.
- One source and a Tesla employee said the vehicle could support driverless operation while still offering a human-driven version, reflecting slow regulatory approval for fully autonomous cars in many markets.