Tesla launches a new version of the Model Y in China (improved and more expensive)

Tesla will launch a new version of the Model Y, its best-selling model, in China, with the aim of regaining market share in the country, given the rise of local brands such as BYD and Xiaomi. The new Model Y Juniper has a new front and will be more expensive.

The North American electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla announced this Friday on the social network that it will launch an improved version of the Model Y on the Chinese market, with a higher price than the previous version.

“To improve the Model Yjust the new Model Y. The common choice of millions of car owners around the world. One-click renewal, just for you!” says Tesla on Weibo.

In Portugal, Elon Musk’s construction company sells only four models: the entry-level saloon Model 3 (from €39,990), or popular compact SUV Model Y (€45,975), available in 5 or 7 seat versions, the luxury sedan Model S (€95,975) and the luxury SUV Model X (€102,975) — with its “falcon wing” rear doors and up to 7 seats.

Tesla should start selling the new model, which was codenamed Model Y Junipernext March, after receiving approval from Chinese regulatory authorities.

The new model includes seats that can be heated or ventilated, as well as a touch screen for passengers of the rear seats. With a greater focus on aerodynamics, the Juniper receives a new front end with an LED bar, inspired by the Cybertruck.

According to Tesla, although the capacity of the Juniper’s batteries is the same as the current model, changes to the design and structure of its best-selling model give it a autonomy increase of around 3%.

In the Chinese market, where Tesla has its largest factory, Musk’s company is facing growing pressure from local construction companiessuch as BYD, considered the “Chinese Tesla”, which in 2023.

BYD has already surpassed Tesla as an electric vehicle manufacturer in 2022, although in this case the accounting also included hybrids, a type of vehicle that the company led by Elon Musk does not manufacture.

A Xiaomi also continues to grow in China thanks to the success of its first electric vehicle, the , which surpassed internal forecasts by reaching 135,000 sales in 2024. In any case, China continues to play a crucial role in Tesla’s expansion.

The Shanghai Gigafactory, which began operations in 2019, recently celebrated the production of its millionth unit of Model 3which was sent to the United Kingdom.

The factory produced more than 900,000 vehicles in 2023 alonemany of which are part of the 1.7 million vehicles sold by Tesla in China since it entered the country’s market a decade ago.