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 model, following the Roadster, Model S, Model X, and Model 3. As a crossover, it offers increased cargo space and optional third-row seating compared to the Model 3. The Model Y emphasizes performance, range, and technology, featuring Tesla's Autopilot driver-assistance system and access to the Supercharger network.
2013: Trademark Filing
In 2013, Tesla Motors filed to trademark the name "Model Y".
2015: Model Y Teaser
In 2015, CEO Elon Musk teased a Model 3-based Model Y with falcon-wing doors.
2017: Model Y Silhouette Teased
In June 2017, a Model Y silhouette was teased to Tesla shareholders at the annual general meeting.
June 2018: New Silhouette Reveal
In June 2018, Elon Musk revealed a new silhouette of the Model Y.
October 2018: Finalized Design Approval
In October 2018, Elon Musk revealed that he had approved the finalized design for the first production version of the Model Y; however, production would not start until 2020.
March 3, 2019: Unveiling Event Tweets
On March 3, 2019, Elon Musk published multiple tweets announcing the unveiling event and confirming some specifications of the Model Y.
March 2019: Formal Announcement
In March 2019, the Model Y was formally announced.
March 2019: Model Y Presentation
In March 2019, the Tesla Model Y was presented as the company's fifth production model since its inception.
May 2019: Production Line Shuffle
In May 2019, Tesla announced that they planned to shuffle production lines at the Tesla Fremont Factory to make space for Model Y production.
November 2019: Giga Berlin Production Announced
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.
2019: Model Y Production Reported to Have Started
On January 29, 2020, Tesla reported in its Q4 2019 earnings report that Model Y production had already started in the Fremont factory.
January 2020: Fremont Factory Production
In January 2020, Model Y production started at the Fremont Factory in California, US.
January 29, 2020: Production Start Reported
On January 29, 2020, Tesla reported in its Q4 2019 earnings report that Model Y production had already started in the Fremont factory, and orders for premium versions were being taken.
March 2020: US Deliveries Start
In March 2020, deliveries of the Long Range AWD version and the Performance version of the Tesla Model Y started in the United States.
June 5, 2020: Online Design Studio Launch in China
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 Canceled
In July 2020, the Standard Range RWD configuration was initially canceled due to the range being unacceptably low to CEO Elon Musk.
August 2020: Giga Press Assembly
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: 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.
October 7, 2020: Giga Berlin Design Tweaks
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: Battery Supply Agreement
In November 2020, Tesla signed an agreement with LG Chem to supply battery cells for Model Y production in China.
December 2020: Giga Shanghai Production
In December 2020, production of the Model Y was added at Giga Shanghai, China.
December 2020: China Production Begins
In mid-December 2020, initial production of the made-in-China Model Y began.
December 2020: Single-Piece Rear Casting Production
Production of the Model Y with single-piece rear casting was reported to have started in late December 2020, unifying 70 different metal parts into two large parts.
2020: Model Y Production Start
In 2020, Tesla, Inc. started producing the Model Y.
January 1, 2021: Model Y Sales Start 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 Re-release
On January 7, 2021, Tesla once again released the Standard Range RWD configuration, alongside the seven-seat option for the Model Y.
January 18, 2021: First Delivery in China
First delivery of the Tesla Model Y model was made on January 18, 2021, in China.
February 2021: Reports Emerge on Long Range RWD Discontinuation
In February 2021, reports emerged that Tesla was discontinuing the Long Range RWD configuration.
February 2021: Orders Stopped for Standard Range RWD
Tesla stopped taking orders for the Standard Range RWD variant in February 2021, making it the shortest-lived configuration offered for the Model Y.
April 2021: Radar Removal
Vehicles manufactured from April 2021 no longer include radar for adaptive cruise control.
May 2021: Radar Removal
Vehicles produced since May 2021 lack radar for adaptive cruise control.
July 25, 2021: Updated Design Plans
On July 25, 2021, CEO Elon Musk revealed that Tesla was planning to release an updated design for the Model Y by the end of 2021 and planned to implement their new structural battery pack to improve range.
December 6, 2021: Long Range RWD Discontinued
On December 6, 2021, Tesla formally notified customers who had pre-ordered the Long Range RWD that their chosen configuration is no longer available in the U.S.
2021: New Heat Pump System Implementation
In 2021, a new heat pump system implementation was one of the two most significant changes in the Model Y over the Model 3.
2021: Giga Texas Production
In late 2021, Tesla started Model Y production at Giga Texas, US.
February 2022: NHTSA Investigation
In February 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation over phantom braking in these new vehicles.
March 2022: Giga Berlin Deliveries Start
In March 2022, deliveries from Giga Berlin, Germany started.
April 9, 2022: Standard Range AWD Production Begins
On April 9, 2022, Tesla began building the Standard Range AWD configuration at Gigafactory Texas, equipped with the new 4680 battery cells and structural battery pack technology.
June 10, 2022: Orders Open in Australia
Orders for the Model Y in Australia opened on June 10, 2022, with initial configurations offered were RWD and Performance AWD and imported from Gigafactory Shanghai.
August 2022: Deliveries Commence in Australia
Deliveries of Tesla Model Y commenced in August 2022, in Australia.
2022: Transition to Tesla Vision
Software update 2022.20.9 transitioned radar equipped Model Ys (and Model 3s) to Tesla Vision in 2022. Steering assist is limited to 85 mph.
January 12, 2023: Significant Price Reduction
On January 12, 2023, Tesla announced a significant price reduction for the Model Y and Model 3, making the Model Y Long Range eligible for the federal tax credit of $7,500.
April 4, 2023: Long Range AWD Released in Australia
The Long Range AWD configuration of Tesla Model Y was released on April 4, 2023, in Australia.
April 7, 2023: Standard Range AWD Available to Public
Around April 7, 2023, Tesla made the Standard Range AWD configuration for sale to the general public.
October 2023: Standard Range RWD Reintroduced
In October 2023, Tesla reintroduced the Standard Range RWD model to the US market.
December 2023: Most Popular EV of All Time
As of December 2023, at least 2.16 million units of Model Y have been delivered since its start of production, making it the most popular electric vehicle of all time.
2023: Ultrasonic Parking Sensors Removed
In early 2023, Tesla removed the ultrasonic parking sensors from the Model Y, and the automated parking features relying only on the camera were shown to be unreliable.
2023: Best Selling Car Worldwide
Model Y was best selling car worldwide in 2023.
March 2024: Consumer Reports Top Pick
In March 2024, Consumer Reports named the 2024 Model Y to its "Best Cars of the Year: 10 Top Picks of 2024" list, the only electric car to make the list.
May 2024: Investigation Ongoing
As of May 2024, the NHTSA investigation is still ongoing.
May 2024: Standard Range RWD Replaced by Long Range RWD
In May 2024, the Standard Range RWD model was no longer offered for sale and was replaced by a Long Range RWD model.
May 2024: Model Y Configurations Offered for Sale
As of May 2024, the Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD and the Performance models of Tesla Model Y are currently being offered for sale.
June 2024: Approved for Government Use in China
In June 2024, the Jiangsu province government listed the Model Y as being eligible for purchase for government use, which is the first time that a Tesla car entered China's official vehicle procurement catalog.
2024: Best-Selling Vehicle
In 2024, Tesla claims the Model Y was again the best-selling vehicle in the world.
January 10, 2025: Redesigned Model Y Launched in China
On January 10, 2025, Tesla launched a redesigned version of the Model Y in China, with deliveries set to begin in March. The new Model Y features a full width light bar and a rear touchscreen.
January 2025: Refreshed Model Y Reveal
In January 2025, an improved and refreshed Model Y was revealed, featuring similar upgrades as the upgraded Model 3. This has resulted in deliveries being delayed.
