History of Tesla Model Y in Timeline

The Tesla Model Y is an all-electric compact crossover SUV manufactured by Tesla, Inc., starting in 2020. Unveiled in March 2019, it represents Tesla's fifth production vehicle, following the Roadster, Model S, Model X, and Model 3. As an electric vehicle, its key features include zero tailpipe emissions and access to Tesla's Supercharger network. It's known for its performance, range, and technology integration, fitting into the competitive electric SUV market.

2013: Tesla Files Trademark for "Model Y"

In 2013, Tesla Motors filed to trademark the name "Model Y".

2015: Musk Teases Model Y with Falcon-Wing Doors

In 2015, Tesla CEO Elon Musk teased a Model 3-based Model Y with falcon-wing doors.

2017: Model Y Silhouette Teased to Shareholders

In June 2017, a Model Y silhouette was teased to Tesla shareholders at the annual general meeting. Musk also announced that the Model Y would be produced in a new factory.

June 2018: New Model Y Silhouette Revealed

In June 2018, a new silhouette of the Model Y was revealed by Elon Musk, who stated that the Model Y would be formally announced in March 2019.

October 2018: Finalized Model Y Design Approved

In October 2018, Elon Musk revealed that he had approved the finalized design for the first production version of the Model Y. Production would not start until 2020.

March 3, 2019: Musk Tweets Model Y Unveiling

On March 3, 2019, Elon Musk published multiple tweets announcing the unveiling event and confirming some specifications for the Model Y. Musk confirmed the vehicle would use standard doors, as opposed to the falcon-wing doors used on the Model X.

March 2019: Model Y Presentation

In March 2019, the Tesla Model Y was presented as the company's fifth production model since its inception, following the Roadster, Model S, Model X, and Model 3.

March 2019: Model Y Announcement Planned

The Model Y announcement had been planned for 2018; however, production problems with the Model 3 resulted in it being pushed to March 2019.

May 2019: Tesla Plans Fremont Factory Production for Model Y

In May 2019, Tesla announced that they planned to shuffle production lines at the Tesla Fremont Factory to make space for Model Y production, instead of Giga Nevada assembly.

November 2019: Tesla Announces Model Y Production at Giga Berlin

In November 2019, Tesla announced that the Tesla Model Y would be the first vehicle to be assembled at the first European Gigafactory, Giga Berlin.

January 2020: Model Y Production Starts at Fremont Factory

In January 2020, after its 2019 introduction, production of the Tesla Model Y began at the Fremont Factory in California, US.

January 29, 2020: Model Y Production Starts and Orders Open

On January 29, 2020, Tesla reported in its Q4 2019 earnings report that Model Y production had already started in the Fremont factory, and that one could now place an order for their premium versions with all-wheel drive. Delivery of Model Y would begin in Q1 2020.

March 2020: US Deliveries Start for Long Range AWD and Performance Versions

In March 2020, United States deliveries of the Tesla Model Y started for the Long Range AWD version and the Performance version.

June 5, 2020: Model Y Online Design Studio Launched for Chinese Market

On June 5, 2020, Tesla launched the Model Y Online design studio for the Chinese market, allowing customers in China to place orders for the upcoming made-in-China Model Y.

July 2020: Standard Range RWD Configuration Initially Canceled

In July 2020, the Standard Range RWD configuration for the Model Y was initially canceled due to the range being unacceptably low to CEO Elon Musk.

August 2020: Tesla Assembles Giga Press

In August 2020, Tesla started assembling the world's biggest casting machine for this purpose, which the company called the Giga Press. The machine was supplied by Italian company Idra.

August 2020: Activation of World's Largest Unibody Casting Machine

In August 2020, it was reported that the Tesla Factory in Fremont would soon activate the world's largest unibody casting machine for Model Y production, switching to casting the rear body in a single piece. This new design and production method will result in significant cost savings.

October 7, 2020: Musk Tweets Giga Berlin Model Y Features

On October 7, 2020, Elon Musk tweeted that Giga Berlin Model Y would get single-piece rear and front frame cast, structural battery pack, and new 4680 cells.

November 2020: Tesla Signs Battery Cell Supply Agreement with LG Chem

In November 2020, Tesla signed an agreement with LG Chem to supply battery cells for Model Y production in China.

December 2020: Model Y Production Added at Giga Shanghai

In December 2020, Tesla expanded Model Y production by adding Giga Shanghai in China to its manufacturing locations.

December 2020: Production of Model Y with Single-Piece Rear Casting Starts

In late December 2020, production of the Model Y with single-piece rear casting was reported to have started. The new process unified 70 different metal parts into two large parts.

December 2020: Initial Production of Made-in-China Model Y Begins

In mid-December 2020, initial production of the made-in-China Model Y began with 250,000 Model Y expected to be produced in 2021 in China alone.

January 1, 2021: Tesla Started Selling Model Y in China

On January 1, 2021, Tesla started selling the Model Y in China, and it sold out its planned production (an unknown quantity) for Q1 2021 within 6 days.

January 7, 2021: Standard Range RWD Configuration Released Again

On January 7, 2021, Tesla once again released the Standard Range RWD configuration for the Model Y, alongside the seven-seat option.

January 18, 2021: First Delivery of Made-in-China Model Y

On January 18, 2021, the first delivery of the made-in-China Tesla Model Y was made.

February 2021: Tesla Stops Taking Orders for Standard Range RWD

In February 2021, Tesla stopped taking orders for the Standard Range RWD configuration of the Model Y, making it the shortest-lived configuration offered.

February 2021: Reports Emerge About Long Range RWD Cancellation

Reports emerged in February 2021 that pre-orders for the Long Range RWD Model Y were cancelled in the US.

April 2021: Removal of Radar for Adaptive Cruise Control

Vehicles manufactured from April 2021 no longer include radar for adaptive cruise control.

May 2021: Removal of Radar for Adaptive Cruise Control

Vehicles produced since May 2021 lack radar for adaptive cruise control.

December 6, 2021: Long Range RWD Pre-Orders Canceled in the U.S.

On December 6, 2021, Tesla formally notified customers who had pre-ordered the Long Range RWD configuration for the Model Y that their chosen configuration was no longer available in the U.S.

2021: Expected Production of 250,000 Model Y in China

250,000 Model Y were expected to be produced in China alone in 2021.

2021: Heat Pump System Change

In 2021, Musk has said that the new heat pump system is one of the two most significant changes in the Model Y over the Model 3 (which included it too in 2021), the other being the new single-piece castings.

February 2022: NHTSA Opens Investigation Over Phantom Braking

In February 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation over phantom braking in Model Y vehicles without radar.

March 2022: Model Y Deliveries Begin from Giga Berlin

In March 2022, deliveries of the Tesla Model Y started from Giga Berlin, Germany.

March 2022: Deliveries of Berlin-Made Model Y Begin

Since March 2022, Tesla started deliveries of the Berlin-made Model Y, mainly for European markets.

April 9, 2022: Tesla Begins Building Standard Range AWD at Gigafactory Texas

On April 9, 2022, Tesla began building the Standard Range AWD configuration of the Model Y at Gigafactory Texas, equipped with the new 4680 battery cells and structural battery pack technology.

June 10, 2022: Orders Open for Model Y in Australia

On June 10, 2022, orders for the Model Y in Australia opened, with initial configurations offered being RWD and Performance AWD and imported from Gigafactory Shanghai.

August 2022: Model Y Deliveries Commence in Australia

Deliveries of the Model Y commenced in Australia in August 2022.

2022: Transition to Tesla Vision and Steering Assist Limitations

In 2022, software update 2022.20.9 transitioned radar equipped Model Ys (and Model 3s) to Tesla Vision. Steering assist is limited to 85 mph, down from 90 mph on vehicles with radar, and minimum following distance has been increased to two car lengths from one.

January 12, 2023: Tesla Announces Significant Price Reduction for Model Y

On January 12, 2023, Tesla announced a significant price reduction for the Model Y, making the Long Range eligible for the federal tax credit of $7,500 under the Inflation Reduction Act.

April 4, 2023: Long Range AWD Configuration Released in Australia

On April 4, 2023, the Long Range AWD configuration for the Model Y was released in Australia.

April 7, 2023: Standard Range AWD Made Available to General Public

Around April 7, 2023, Tesla made the Standard Range AWD configuration of the Model Y for sale to the general public.

April 2023: Tesla Begins Selling Made-in-China Model Ys in Canada

In April 2023, Tesla began producing made-in-China Model Ys to be sold in Canada.

October 2023: Standard Range RWD Reintroduced to US Market

In October 2023, Tesla reintroduced the Standard Range RWD model to the US market.

December 2023: Model Y Becomes World's Best-Selling Vehicle

In December 2023, Tesla delivered 1.2 million Model Ys, making it the world's best-selling vehicle that year, surpassing the Toyota Corolla and becoming the first electric vehicle to claim that title.

2023: Model Y best selling car worldwide

In 2023, the Model Y became the best-selling car worldwide.

2023: Removal of Ultrasonic Parking Sensors

In early 2023, Tesla removed the ultrasonic parking sensors from the Model Y.

March 2024: Model Y named to Consumer Reports "Best Cars of the Year"

In March 2024, Consumer Reports included the 2024 Model Y in its "Best Cars of the Year: 10 Top Picks of 2024" list, making it the only electric car to receive this recognition.

May 2024: NHTSA Investigation Still Ongoing

As of May 2024, the NHTSA's investigation over phantom braking in Model Y vehicles without radar is still ongoing.

May 2024: Tesla Abandons One-Piece Gigacasting Process

In May 2024, Reuters reported that Tesla had abandoned its plans to adopt the one-piece gigacasting process for the Model Y, due to large upfront investment costs and a larger strategic realignment towards autonomous driving and the Tesla Robotaxi.

May 2024: Standard Range RWD Replaced by Long Range RWD

In May 2024, the Standard Range RWD model of the Model Y was no longer offered for sale and was replaced by a Long Range RWD model. Vehicles built in 2023 and early 2024 may be able to pay a fee to unlock additional range, pending regulatory approval.

May 2024: Model Y Powertrain Configurations Available

As of May 2024, the Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD and the Performance models of the Tesla Model Y are currently being offered for sale in the US.

June 2024: Model Y Eligible for Government Use in China

In June 2024, the Jiangsu province government listed the Tesla Model Y as being eligible for purchase for government use, marking the first time a Tesla car entered China's official vehicle procurement catalog.

January 10, 2025: Tesla Launches Redesigned Model Y in China

On January 10, 2025, Tesla launched a redesigned version of the Model Y in China, codenamed "Juniper", with deliveries set to begin in March. The new Model Y features a full width light bar, a touchscreen for rear passengers, and an extended range of 719 km for the long range version, up from 688 km. The 2025 Model Y refresh keeps the traditional turn signal stalk.

January 2025: Improved Model Y Revealed

In January 2025, an improved and refreshed Model Y was revealed with similar upgrades as the upgraded Model 3, causing delivery delays.

January 23, 2025: Updated Model Y SUV Available in US, Canada, and Mexico

On January 23, 2025, Tesla revealed that its updated Model Y SUV will be available in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico starting in March, with a starting price of approximately US$60,000. This "Launch Series" special edition includes a 320-mile range battery and Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance technology, “Full Self-Driving (Supervised).