Tesla Model Y production may be starting sooner than expected, based on reports from a number of suppliers from Asia. The Cybertruck has dominated Tesla news lately, though as excitement for Tesla’s futuristic pickup truck winds down, the Model Y seems to be stepping into the limelight once more, revealing that the all-electric automaker is always hard at work.
Several sources in Asia—where some Model Y suppliers are based—revealed that Tesla has asked to receive components for the all-electric crossover 6 months ahead of schedule. According to Taiwan Economic Daily, Tesla has recently alerted its suppliers in the country to prepare for Model Y mass production. Some investment websites in Taiwan, like 51jinke and Jin10, have already shared the news about the potential early Model Y production to their clients as well.
"Tesla has notified its suppliers in Taiwan to prepare for Model Y mass production ahead of schedule, which was six months ahead of schedule," one of the reports read.
Credit: Jin10.com
The Model Y and Model 3 share over 70 percent of their parts, so Tesla will not have a hard time switching from one production line to another between the two vehicles. As shown by Tesla's Q3 2019 earnings results, the all-electric car maker has been able to find a more efficient manufacturing method for the Model 3, which can be adopted for the Model Y.
Model Y deliveries were initially set for Fall 2020 for the Long Range, Dual Motor AWD, and Performance variants, followed by the Standard Range in Spring 2021. Tesla revised its original plan and shared it during the Q3 2019 earnings call, reported HyperChange. In its Q3 2019 Update Letter, Tesla changed its Model Y delivery date from Fall 2020 to Summer 2020, indicating that production for the all-electric SUV may be ahead of schedule compared to the dates the company disclosed during the vehicle's unveiling event.
Credit: HyperChange/YouTube
Elon Musk expects the Tesla Model Y to outsell more than the Models S, 3, and X, combined because it fits in the mini SUV or CUV category, which has become incredibly popular in the auto market. When the Model Y was unveiled, Elon Musk announced that it had up to 300 miles of range and could do 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
Tesla’s Model Y already has competition in Ford’s Mustang Mach-E. News sites, TSLAQ, and other unsupportive Tesla skeptics have pitted the two all-electric vehicles against each other. The Model Y and Mach-E will allegedly be released around the same time, giving all-electric car buyers one hell of a decision to make. That being said, the Model Y has the backing of Tesla's expansive Supercharger Network and the company's Autopilot system, two key features that the Mach-E would be hard-pressed to match.
Featured Image Credit: Tesla
