As always, Tesla is keeping the headlines of the automotive industry. And for good reason, as their best-selling Tesla Model Y crossover SUV has regained its base RWD option, and the Cybertruck's release into the wild is finally nearing.
Tesla delivered over 435k units during the third quarter of the year, a strong performance for the EV maker even though a factory 'downtime' resulted in a loss of 30k deliveries compared to the year's second quarter. But that was a record production, so actually, sales were only down around 20k units compared to expectations.
Well, there was another reason for the 'slip-up' – Tesla's best-selling Model Y crossover SUV was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle: the RWD version. Now, that one is back with an even cheaper MSRP of $43,990, which sits pretty close to the absolute champion of low sticker prices – the RWD Tesla Model 3 costing right now from $40,240. Of course, over $40k is not exactly affordable, right?
So, let us remember that among rocket-thrust-powered Tesla Roadsters and edgy Tesla Cybertrucks, Elon Musk also promised a while back to finally bring democracy into the EV sector with a model that would cost from $25k. As with any other affirmation from the billionaire, that's not necessarily fake news – but rather something that may materialize sometime down the line, not right now.
Curiously, this smaller Tesla – envisioned as a sedan or even a hatchback by experts – has laid dormant for a couple of years until the American company started the current pricing wars. Now, the rumor mill – and more specifically, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators – have remembered the promise and are trying to imagine its looks.
The good folks over at the Q Cars channel on YouTube also aim to daze and amaze the audience with the potential styling of their vision for the rumored Tesla Model 2. Their portrayal is most likely the result of some AI-based software assistance, and depicts a minimalist Tesla with a smaller footprint compared to the Tesla Model 3 but similar styling – a sedan or hatchback with a robust coupe-like profile.
And, of course, the channel's host believes that Tesla will try to keep the promise of bringing to market an affordable Model 2 below the Model 3 and Model Y, even if it won't be able to hit the sweet $25k pricing point. However, no one believes that it will be announced soon – 2024 or even 2025 are touted as potential options as the best-case scenario. Until then, Tesla has to think about the pricing wars, about making sure its production ramps up to keep with demand, and about deploying the Cybertruck into the real world as smoothly as possible, of course.
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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