A set of images reportedly featuring Tesla’s upcoming Model Y “Juniper” update has been shared online. While the images remain unconfirmed, they do hint at some potentially interesting design updates that may be coming to the best-selling all-electric crossover.
Amidst the news of Tesla’s Model 3 “Highland” refresh on March 2023, Reuters published a report claiming that the electric vehicle maker was also working on an update for the Model Y, reportedly codenamed “Juniper.”
Considering the huge similarities between the first-generation Model 3 and Model Y, numerous EV community members speculated then that the rumored “Juniper” update might simply involve the implementation of the reengineered Model 3’s upgrades on the Model Y.
$TSLA
Crazy! We can see the image of the so-called 'Juniper' refresh Model Y! Its launch will be sensational. pic.twitter.com/uSyC7bowfe— Tsla Chan (@Tslachan) July 31, 2024
As could be seen in the leaked photos, which were shared in the r/TeslaMotors subreddit, there may be some interesting differences between the reengineered Model 3 and the potential Model Y update. This was hinted at in an image showing what appeared to be a red light bar with the words “Tesla” on the supposed Model Y “Juniper” prototype’s rear hatch.
Such a light bar is not present in the reengineered Model 3 sedan. That being said, a leaked image supposedly showing the Model Y “Juniper” prototype’s interior suggested that the vehicle will still have a very similar cabin to the reengineered Model 3.
Here's a quick Model Y "Juniper" Render based on the spy shot we got to see today. ✍?
What do you think? ? pic.twitter.com/R9OGr8qeQP— Dominic BRNKMN (@DominicBRNKMN) July 31, 2024
While the leaked images of the supposed Tesla Model Y “Juniper” unit are quite exciting, it should be noted that CEO Elon Musk has been adamant that there is no “refresh” coming for the all-electric crossover this year. Amidst sightings of wrapped Model Y units in the wild, Musk highlighted in a post on X that “Tesla continuously improves its cars, so even a car that is 6 months newer will be a little better.”
The Model Y is a very successful vehicle, and it became the world’s best selling car by volume last year. If an update to the vehicle does get rolled out, and if it is well-received by consumers, the Model Y may very well continue its reign as one of the world’s best-selling vehicles, electric or otherwise.
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Investor's Corner
Tesla analyst says this stock concern is overblown while maintaining $400 PT
Tesla reported $2.763 billion in regulatory credit profits last year.

One Tesla analyst is saying that a major stock concern that has been discussed as the Trump administration aims to eliminate many financial crutches for EV and sustainable industries is overblown.
As the White House continues to put an emphasis on natural gas, coal, and other fossil fuels, investors are concerned that high-powered sustainability stocks like Tesla stand to take big hits over the coming years.
However, Piper Sandler analyst Alexander Potter believes it is just the opposite, as a new note to investors released on Monday says that the situation, especially regarding regulatory credits, is “not as bad as you think.”
Tesla stacked emissions credits in 2023, while others posted deficits
There have been many things during the Trump administration so far that have led some investors to consider divesting from Tesla altogether. Many people have shied away due to concerns over demand, as the $7,500 new EV tax credit and $4,000 used EV tax credit will bow out at the end of Q3.
The Trump White House could also do away with emissions credits, which aim to give automakers a threshold of emissions to encourage EV production and cleaner powertrains. Companies that cannot meet this threshold can buy credits from other companies, and Tesla has benefitted from this program immensely over the past few years.
As the Trump administration considers eliminating this program, investors are concerned that it could significantly impact Tesla’s balance sheet. Potter believes the issue is overblown:
“We frequently receive questions about Tesla’s regulatory credits, and for good reason: the company received ~$3.5B in ‘free money’ last year, representing roughly 100% of FY24 free cash flow. So it’s fair to ask: will recent regulatory changes threaten Tesla’s earnings outlook? In short, we think the answer is no, at least not in 2025. We think that while it’s true that the U.S. government is committed to rescinding financial support for the EV and battery industries, Tesla will still book around $3B in credits this year, followed by $2.3B in 2026. This latter figure represents a modest reduction vs. our previous expectation…in our view, there’s no need for drastic estimate revisions. Note that it’s difficult to forecast the financial impact of regulatory credits — even Tesla itself struggles with this — but the attached analysis represents an honest effort.”
Tesla’s regulatory credit profitability by year is:
- 2020: $1.58 billion
- 2021: $1.465 billion
- 2022: $1.776 billion
- 2023: $1.79 billion
- 2024: $2.763 billion
Potter and Piper Sandler maintained an ‘Overweight’ rating on the stock, and kept their $400 price target.
Tesla shares are trading at $329.63 at 11:39 a.m. on the East Coast.
News
Tesla rolls out update to Robotaxi service that makes pickups so much better
The update was confirmed by CEO Elon Musk in a post on social media platform X.

Tesla has rolled out a minor update to its Robotaxi service that will likely make the driverless ride-hailing system notably better and more convenient for consumers. The update was confirmed by CEO Elon Musk in a post on social media platform X.
Robotaxi service updates
The Robotaxi update was observed by users of the driverless ride-hailing service over the weekend. As observed by Tesla enthusiast Owen Sparks, the Austin Robotaxi fleet no longer strictly navigates to the pickup point listed on the app. Instead, the Robotaxis now stop in the exact location of a user’s phone.
Elon Musk confirmed the update, noting in a post on X that the change was an upgrade to the service. It’s a reactively minor update in the grand scheme of things, but it should make the Robotaxi service feel more organic and humanlike.
Driverless taxis
Tesla’s Robotaxi service in Austin has been receiving good reviews from users since it was launched, with many praising the vehicles for their cautious and humanlike behavior. Some users on social media even noted that Tesla’s Robotaxis feel safer on the road than cars from services like Uber, which are manually driven.
Tesla’s minor updates to its Robotaxi service are expected to make the customer experience of the driverless ride-hailing service more refined. By doing so, Tesla could ease customers into its service, even if only a fraction of ride-hailing users are familiar with fully autonomous cars. With this in mind, even small updates like picking up customers based on their specific phone location will likely go a long way towards making Tesla’s Robotaxis more accepted by the general public.
News
Tesla sells 3 million Model 3 since 2017, one in every 1.5 minutes
This translates to one Model 3 being sold every 1.5 minutes on average for the past eight years.

Tesla has announced that the Model 3 sedan has sold 3 million units since it started customer deliveries in 2017. As per the electric vehicle maker, this translates to one Model 3 being sold every 1.5 minutes on average for the past eight years.
Massive Milestone
Tesla China VP Grace Tao announced the Model 3’s milestone on Weibo, highlighting that the all-electric sedan has been a tried and tested vehicle that has earned accolades throughout its tenure. She also highlighted that in a recent test, Car and Driver gave the Model 3 a perfect score.
“Model 3 has become the choice of more than 3 million car owners worldwide, and has won the global pure electric sedan sales champion for seven consecutive years,” Tao wrote in her Weibo post.
She also invited everyone to try and test drive the Model 3 sedan, so they could experience the vehicle personally. “Everyone is welcome to come to the store to test drive and experience this global car and champion car,” the Tesla executive added.
Tesla’s Mainstream Bet
There was once a time when Tesla’s future relied on the Model 3’s success. When the Model 3 was unveiled, Tesla was still gaining its footing as a premium automaker that produces the Model S and Model X. The Model 3 was the company’s first mass-market car, and it was Tesla’s first foray into serious mass production. At the time, it was no exaggeration to state that Tesla’s survival depended on the Model 3.
The Model 3’s runaway success was a victory not just for Tesla but for the overall electric vehicle sector as a whole. Because the Model 3 was simply a great car, electric or otherwise, it was able to prove that there is serious demand for reasonably-priced mass market EVs. It was also able to pave the way for the Model Y, Tesla’s mass market all-electric crossover that ultimately became the world’s best-selling car in 2023 and 2024.
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