You’re here widens theModel Y offer. Indeed, after the powerful and “dual motor” versions (understand 4-wheel drive), the manufacturer introduced the RWD version of this compact SUV, that is to say the rear-wheel drive version which comes with a single less powerful engine. This development is important, because so far the Model Y displayed at the price of €66,000 (Great Autonomy), even 70,000 euros (Performance).
Soberly called “Model Y”, the access version to the SUV is now displayed at 25,000 euros less, i.e. 49,990 euros. A model at discount ? Not really, because with 300 hp (against 351 hp for the “Long Range” and 513 hp for the “Performance”), the performance remains more than comfortable: 6.9 s for 0-100 km/h and 217 km/h peak.
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Tesla is also announcing a WLTP range of 455 km, which should bring the real autonomy around 380-400 km for the most attentive (533 km for the “Long Range” and 514 for the “Performance”). On the side of the counterparties, it will simply be necessary to accept charging powers limited to 170 kW against 250 kW for the other variants.
Mass model?
What is striking is that this rather generous SUV in space is less expensive than the basic Model 3 (52,990 euros, 491 km WLTP). Why ? Obvious answer: the Model Y is a powerful instrument of market conquest. Indeed, demand for Teslas has never been stronger, according to analyst firm New Street Research. who paid a visit to the gigafactory in Berlin.
The enthusiasm for Tesla does not weaken therefore not, regardless of the general increase in prices. In the United States, for example, rising gasoline prices at the pumps which caused a surge in demand for Tesla to the point that orders for some models had to be closed. But the opening of the berlin gigafactory could push Tesla even further, because what is holding back sales volumes is production capacity.
And there, the german factory can bring its stone to the building, because the logistics are much more efficient than in the other factories and in particular that of Fremont (USA). It is expected that the Berlin plant will be able to produce 10,000 cars per week when it is fully operational. A volume that could increase further, mainly when the cells 4680 will be available, because they will be molded in one piece, which will further shorten the production time.
A surge in sales here?
Posted at less than 50,000 eurosthe Model Y could it become people’s electric car with us, particularly in the fleets and for the company cars ? It’s possible, because you have to remember that a BMW iX3 is trading around 70,000 euros and an i4 around 62,000 euros. It is therefore clear that the Model Y has a very good card to play, especially with the change in legislation for companies which will no longer allow a 100% deduction only for 100% electric cars from 2026.
Tesla therefore has every chance of winning against traditional manufacturers. The only unknown is the price of a refill which continues to climb to the point, soon, of potentially exceeding that of a full tank of fuel. That said, we suspect that the deductive aspect will have the upper hand despite everything…