Regardless of hyping the product for a 12 months and half, it’s pretty clear that Tesla doesn’t need to promote its new cheaper Mannequin Y. Not less than, within the US.
Right here’s why.
Keep in mind the Cybertruck RWD?
Tesla launched the brand new cheaper model of the Cybertruck in April for $10,000 lower than the AWD and about $20,000 price of options eliminated.
By September, Tesla discontinued the mannequin. It lasted a stable 6 months.
Many believed that Tesla wasn’t really trying to promote the brand new model, which served extra as making the Cybertruck AWD appeared like higher worth.
We could be witnessing a redo right here witht the brand new customary Mannequin Y that Tesla launched yesterday.
It prices $5,000 lower than the Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary RWD, which Tesla now calls “premium”, together with the AWD and Efficiency variations, whereas Tesla eliminated roughly $6,000-$8,000 price of options.

The worth proposition just isn’t nice, however that’s not the one cause why Tesla doesn’t appear to need to promote it.
The automaker presently doesn’t provide a lease on the brand new model, which isn’t uncommon after having simply launched a brand new variant or mannequin. For instance, Tesla continues to be not providing leases on the Mannequin Y Efficiency, which solely lately launched within the US.
However extra importantly, Tesla is financing the brand new Mannequin Y Commonplace at an APR nearly 30% greater than for the cheaper “Premium” model.
The result’s solely $72 distinction in month-to-month funds between the 2 variations:

The distinction is nearly the identical as between the Premium RWD and AWD, however you get an entire further motor for that.
Electrek’s Take
We have now been anticipating a state of affairs like this, however it’s actually even worse than we thought.
For instance, we didn’t anticipate Tesla eradicating Autopilot as customary. That alone is a couple of 1000’s {dollars} of worth eliminated earlier than even accounting for the {hardware} modifications, corresponding to the material inside, cheaper seats, and even the ability folding mirrors.
Then, there are the actually fairly lazy modifications, like not really eradicating the glass roof, however overlaying it inside with a headliner.
The one actually good factor I see from this launch is that it is extremely environment friendly EV and Tesla nonetheless has a lead on that entrance over most.
Nevertheless, I’ve to reiterate that it’s getting lazy with this lead.
The usual model is barely 125 lbs lighter than the premium regardless of Tesla seemingly utilizing the identical battery pack with a couple of cells eliminated. Once you add up all of the options removing, the load loss must be far more important, however that’s tougher to do once you make choice corresponding to overlaying the glass roof quite eradicating it.
Tesla has to know that the worth proposition right here just isn’t good.
It’s a bummer that Tesla went with that quite than a brand new smaller and cheaper automobile as initially deliberate.
Particularly when you think about that the choice was made to attempt to improve the utilization price of Tesla’s present manufacturing strains, which seems to be working at about 60% amid this demand stoop.
I don’t suppose this, and the brand new customary Mannequin 3, which is best worth to be truthful, clear up this case.
As I beforehand acknowledged, I consider this increase demand between 10-15% and that’s after Tesla both drops the value or introduces 0% curiosity financing, which I count on earlier than the tip of the quarter.