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Tesla Model 3 ‘Highland’ trial production, delivery date rumors swirl in China

Image Credit: u/ffiarpg/Reddit

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Rumors of Tesla’s redesigned Model 3, known as “Highland,” are continuing to swirl in China, and there are even indications that the vehicle has already started to be built and deliveries could occur as soon as October.

The Highland Model 3 has been in development for more than a year.

While Tesla’s Fremont Factory in Northern California has been making moves to develop the car, at least according to filings, the Shanghai plant in China has become somewhat of a frontrunner for the new design.

Now, a new report from Chinese media outlets claims that Tesla is already producing the Model 3 Highland at Gigafactory Shanghai in a trial phase, and progress is “advanced when “compared to previous expectations:”

The report says (via Google Translate):

“It is reported that Tesla’s facelifted Model 3 has already started trial production, and it is expected to start mass supply in September and start delivery in October. Compared with previous expectations, this progress has been advanced. According to the estimated cost of components, the guide price of this new car is around 200,000 yuan, and it will use the 66 kWh M3P battery provided by Ningde Times. It is understood that the M3P battery may be mainly used purely with lithium manganese iron phosphate. With the early trial production of the Model 3, lithium manganese iron phosphate is expected to accelerate the release of capacity.”

If the report is accurate, the 200,000 yuan price would quite to roughly $27,811, which would make it extremely affordable and increase demand as the Model 3 and Model Y produced in China starts at 231,900 ($32,246.85) and 263,900 ($36,696.61), respectively.

These reports have not been confirmed by Tesla, but the automaker does have a knack for remaining tight-lipped regarding new vehicle releases.

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Tesla Model 3 Highland Changes

Tesla’s new Model 3 design aims to upgrade some of the cosmetic features, as leaked photographs of the vehicle have shown a new front-end design.

Alleged Tesla Model 3 Project Highland photo leaks online

There have also been sightings of new tail lights, wheels, interior changes, and other modern improvements that will bring new life to the all-electric sedan.

Please email me with questions and comments at joey@teslarati.com. I’d love to chat! You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

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Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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Tesla bull sees a new path to 600,000 deliveries per quarter

“We believe the launch of a lower cost model represents the first step to getting back to a ~500k quarterly delivery run-rate, which will be important to stimulate demand for its fleet with the EV tax credit expiring at the end of September.”

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) bull Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities published a new note to investors on Thursday evening, which seemed to open up the possibility of the automaker returning to a growth rate in terms of deliveries.

After nearly two years of leveling off with deliveries, which was expected, Tesla is now slated to potentially return to growth, Ives says, as it has introduced new, more affordable models. It launched its Standard offerings for the Model 3 and Model Y this week, a strategy to bring cheaper cars to customers amid the loss of the $7,500 tax credit.

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In his note to investors, Ives said:

“We believe the launch of a lower cost model represents the first step to getting back to a ~500k quarterly delivery run-rate, which will be important to stimulate demand for its fleet with the EV tax credit expiring at the end of September.”

Although these cars come in only slightly under $40,000, there is some belief that they will do two things: attract car buyers looking for an under-$40k EV with Tesla’s technology and infrastructure, or push those on the fence to the now-Premium models, which are simply the Long Range Rear-Wheel-Drive and Long Range All-Wheel-Drive.

Ives said in the note that Tesla’s plans for a $25,000 car are “on hold,” but it seems as if that vehicle will be the Cybercab, which the company unveiled a year ago today.

That project seems to be moving forward as well, based on what we saw at both Fremont and Gigafactory Texas yesterday. At Fremont, the Cybercab was spotted on the Test Track, while crash-tested units were spotted at the factory in Austin.

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After the Standard models were rolled out and the Cybercab or another $25,000 unit arrives, Ives believes Tesla could actually get closer to 600,000 deliveries per quarter, he said on CNBC this morning:

Moving forward, Tesla has much more going for it than its potential growth in quarterly deliveries. Ives recognizes that a majority of what Tesla’s value will come from in the future: AI and autonomy.

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Ives said:

“The AI valuation will start to get unlocked in the Tesla story and we believe the march to an AI driven valuation for TSLA over the next 6-9 months has now begun in our view with FSD and autonomous penetration of Tesla’s installed base and the acceleration of Cybercab in the US representing the golden goose for Musk & Co. We believe Tesla could reach a $2 trillion market cap early 2026 in a bull case scenario and $3 trillion by the end of 2026 as full scale volume production begins of the autonomous and robotics roadmap.”

Ives and Wedbush maintained their $600 price target and ‘Outperform’ rating on Tesla stock.

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The Tesla Model Y Standard is actually a great deal in Europe

A €10,000 delta could very well prove to be a meaningful difference for numerous consumers.

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Credit: Tesla

It’s no secret that the Model Y Standard proved polarizing to numerous Tesla watchers in the United States. At just a few thousand dollars less than the Model Y Premium, the entry-level variant seemed like a subpar deal considering all the features that are missing from the vehicle.

In Europe, however, the story might be different, and the Model Y Standard might actually end up being a pretty good deal for numerous car shoppers. 

Model Y Standard

Perhaps the biggest complaint against the Model Y Standard in the United States was its price. Listed at $39,990, it was only $5,000 less than the Model Y Premium Rear Wheel Drive (RWD), which starts at $44,990 before options. Considering the list of features and functions that are absent in the Model Y Standard, a good number of Tesla community members noted that the vehicle should have been priced lower, perhaps around $34,990, for it to truly be a good deal. 

Otherwise, the entry-level Model Y could end up following in the footsteps of the Cybertruck Rear Wheel Drive, which was priced just below $70,000, but was missing a long list of features that were included on the Cybertruck AWD. The Cybertruck RWD has since been discontinued, likely because of low orders. 

Different story in Europe

While the Model Y Standard may not make much sense in the United States, its pricing actually makes it a very good deal in Europe. A look at the order page for the Model Y in The Netherlands, for example, shows that the Model Y Standard is priced at €39,990 before options, €10,000 less than the Model Y Premium Rear Wheel Drive, which is priced at €50,990 before options. 

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As noted by Tesla watcher @KamermanMenno on social media platform X, a €10,000 delta is a meaningful difference for numerous consumers. Given the significant price difference, the Model Y Standard could become the ideal entry-level vehicle for drivers looking to join the Tesla ecosystem at the lowest possible cost. The fact that the Model Y Standard is a crossover SUV bodes well for the vehicle, given the segment’s popularity as well.

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Tesla Model Y L helps boost China wholesale numbers to 90,812 units in September

The month’s results represent the company’s best wholesale figures this year so far.

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Tesla China’s wholesale numbers bounced back in September after two straight months of decline, hinting at renewed momentum for the EV maker in one of the world’s most competitive electric car markets. 

As per data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), Tesla China sold 90,812 vehicles wholesale last month, a 2.82% year-on-year increase from the 88,321 units that were sold wholesale in September 2024. The month’s results represent the company’s best wholesale figures this year so far.

Tesla China’s September comeback

Tesla China’s wholesale results in September were boosted by the Model Y L, as noted in a CNEV Post report. The new six-seat Model Y L, launched in August and delivered starting in early September, enabled Tesla China to enter the market for large SUVs with six seats, a segment previously inaccessible by the standard, five-seat Model Y. 

Tesla’s Gigafactory Shanghai continues to be the keystone of the company’s Asia-Pacific operations, producing both the Model 3 and Model Y for local and overseas markets. September’s total marked a 9.16% increase from August’s 83,192 units, effectively allowing Tesla China to return to growth after two months of year-over-year declines.

Tesla China’s quarterly results

From January to September, Tesla China sold 606,364 vehicles wholesale, down 10.27% compared to the same period last year. The decline reflected seven months of year-on-year drops in the first nine months of 2024. Part of this decline was due to Tesla’s changeover to the new Model Y earlier this year, which resulted in the company effectively pulling out its best-selling model for a few months while its factories were being updated. 

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In the third quarter, Tesla China sold 241,890 vehicles, accounting for 48.66% of the electric car maker’s global total of 497,099 deliveries. That figure was down 2.91% year-on-year but up 26.17% from the previous quarter. With Model Y L deliveries likely hitting their stride this Q4 2025, Tesla China’s wholesale figures this quarter would likely be very interesting.

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