Tesla CEO Elon Musk posted on his social media site X (formerly Twitter) that the long-anticipated refresh of the Tesla Model Y won’t appear in 2024.
The Model Y is the world’s best-selling electric vehicle (EV). It is a compact SUV with a range of up to 310 miles and a minimalist interior Tesla fans love.
Tesla introduced the Model Y in 2019, and its basic design has remained unchanged. However, Tesla regularly makes changes under the Model Y’s skin.
Traditional automakers update their cars annually in distinct model years. Tesla makes technology changes on the fly so that two Model Y EVs bought a month apart can have different components and performance specifications. However, the company rarely makes significant design updates. Its flagship Model S went nine years without a cosmetic change.
Last year, Tesla released a refreshed version of the Model Y’s platform mate, the Model 3 sedan. Codenamed Project Highland, the updated Model 3 got a sleek new front fascia and an interior makeover, including a touchscreen for rear passengers.
Observers have long expected the Model Y to follow suit with a project reportedly codenamed Juniper. Musk didn’t take the Model Y Juniper off the table but said we won’t see it this year.
The move came less than two months after Musk canceled plans for a more affordable car called the Model 2 and laid off much of the company’s new car development team.
The Model Y is Tesla’s best-seller and is unlikely to remain unchanged indefinitely. Gizmodo recently reported that Tesla has “a problem with its growing parking lots of unsold Teslas in Austin, Texas.” Satellite photos show unsold Tesla EVs, mostly Model Y examples, overflowing storage lots.
It’s not unusual for an automaker to have a backlog of cars to sell. Most domestic automakers currently have one. However, announcing an updated model can depress demand for the existing version, so Tesla may want to sell down its oversupply before releasing an update.
