Appears like now we have us one other thriller courtesy of that almost all mysterious of automakers. Tesla’s web site now not gives what had been least costly Mannequin Y trim, the Normal Vary AWD that began at $49,230 after the $1,390 vacation spot cost however earlier than incentives. The automotive simply joined the configurator in April of this yr. There are two Mannequin Y variants accessible now, the Lengthy Vary that begins at $51,880 and the Efficiency that begins at $55,580. The automaker did not clarify the omission nor reply questions on it, leaving a lot of hypothesis to fill the vacuum. The reigning principle issues batteries and manufacturing capability. The Mannequin Y Normal Vary AWD was the one trim constructed at Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory and the one trim to make use of Tesla’s 4680 battery cells. Many imagine that with the Cybertruck inching its method towards collection manufacturing on the identical Texas facility, Tesla needs to commit sources to the enormously in style truck.
As Drive Tesla Canada famous, there are two intriguing points of that suggestion. First, a Tesla powertrain VP mentioned the Cybertruck will use 4680 cells with a brand new chemistry enabling extra vary and effectivity, so the Mannequin Y shutdown might portend a battery facility changeover as nicely. Second, regardless that we’re seeing extra Cybertruck prototypes out and about, the stainless-steel marvel would not look near being a risk to Gigafactory manufacturing capability.
Different theories marvel if Tesla is, like many automakers, simply culling the trim that pulls within the smallest revenue, or maybe attempting to create extra MSRP distance between the Mannequin Y crossover and the Mannequin 3 sedan. After all, the theories and their counterpoints are all guesses. The Mannequin 3 change follows an analogous transfer with the Mannequin S and Mannequin X earlier this month — additionally unexplained. Tesla dropped the Normal Vary variations of the sedan and falcon-doored SUV from the net Design Studio. The S and X can solely be had in both Twin-Motor AWD or Plaid guise for the second.
The Texas plant has been down for scheduled upkeep. Maybe the mannequin will return when the plant will get operating once more, or we’d want to attend till the Cybertruck debuts to seek out out what is going on on. Till then, the one strategy to get a Mannequin Y Normal Vary AWD is to supply one in Tesla’s stock or on the used market.
Associated video: