Tesla finally announces cheaper versions of Model 3 and Model Y (with some cuts)

The American electric vehicle manufacturer announced the long-awaited most affordable versions of Model 3, starting at $ 36,990, and Model Y, starting at $ 39,990. The two new versions maintain the essentials, but lose some of the features of the most expensive variants.

The Giant of Tesla electric vehicles launched the long-awaited low cost version of the Model andthe brand’s best -selling vehicle, priced at $ 39,990 34 thousand euros) and an estimated autonomy of 517 kilometers.

But, in an unexpected move, the company presented also a new model 3 even cheaper, costing $ 36,990 32 thousand euros).

These lower price versions, however, do without some features that were previously In other models of Tesla, note o.

O Model Y Standard, For example, it includes the traffic detection cruise control system (“Traffic-Aware Cruise Control”), but does not have the “Autosteer” driving assistance functionality, present in higher versions.

Non -exterior, the “LED light bar” disappear and the “adaptive maximums”which are replaced by conventional LED headlights and automatic maximums. None of the two new models have Radio FM/AMand, in a surprising way, the traditional Glass ceiling was covered with a fabric.

On the other hand, buyers can now Saving about $ 5,500 When choosing Model 3 Standard instead of the premium rear -wheel drive version, and $ 5,000 when opting for the Model Y Standard over the premium rear -wheel drive version.

According to the manufacturer, Model Y Standard should be available in the United States Between November and Decemberand Model 3 Standard between December and January. There are no indications of when these models will be on sale in Europe.

The announcement comes days after Tesla reported a sales record quarterly, driven by consumer race Americans for the purchase of electric vehicles before the end of the tax credit Federal of $ 7,500 recently Donald Trump decided to cancel.

Without this benefit, the base price of Tesla models in the United States would be about $ 42,500 (model 3) and $ 45,000 (Model Y).

Some disappointment

For some time that consumers and investors awaited the ad of the most affordable models by Elon Musk’s construction company, but Wall Street’s reaction points to some disappointment: Tesla’s actions fell 3% On Tuesday, ending the day with a It is total of 4.45%.

An increasing number of electric vehicles is available for $ 35,000 to $ 40,000, which makes them cheaper than luxury cars BMW or Mercedes gasoline, although they are still more expensive than hybrids or gasoline of brands like Toyota or Honda, note o.

Analysts and investors have criticized Tesla for Do not launch new models instead of updated versions of existing modelsin response to growing competition from manufacturers such as GM, BMW, Volkswagen, and Chinese brands like BYD, which has already surpassed Tesla as the largest manufacturer of electric vehicles in the world.

One of the Most critical reactions to the announcement of the new variants of Model 3 and Model Y started from Gary Black, managing partner of the Future Fund Investment Company, that the launch of these simplified models essentially Cannibalize sales of your most expensive versions.

But not only. Black also strongly criticizes that the new models come with Less functionality than current versions.

“For less $ 5,000, we have lower battery autonomy, lower accelerationfabric seats, without outdoor light bars, smaller wheels, without a second tactile screen line, and a cheaper sound system, ”Black on X/Twitter. They covered the glass opening ceiling!”

“The price below $ 40,000 may attract buyers to stores, but I don’t see that these models sell,” concludes Black.

The dream of “Tesla accessible”

In investors and fans have been waiting for news about Tesla’s promised accessible model, a project that Elon Musk began to imply in 2018.

At the time, Musk stated that Tesla would launch an electricity with a price of $ 25,000 (21 thousand euros)filling the options gap below $ 30,000 (25 thousand euros).

Sector analysts have repeatedly pointed out the price as one of the main Barriers to Mass Adoption of electric cars.

“To accelerate the transition to sustainable energy, we have to produce more electric vehicles, make them accessible and create much more capacity Energy storage, ”said Musk at Tesla’s Battery Day in 2020.

However, year after year, the CEO went to postpone his own goals. The company concentrated efforts on the development of autonomous driving, one of Musk’s great personal bets, and set aside the idea of ​​launching a cheap Tesla.

Asked last October about when Tesla planned to launch the famous $ 25,000 model with no autonomous driving capacity, Musk replied that The project would be “useless”.

“It would be absurd. I would be completely in contradiction with what we believe.” Apparently the Tesla CEO now believes in different things.