Photo: u/ffiarpg via Reddit
Last-minute information from China indicates that the current Tesla Model 3 production will end on August 14. Tesla will start Project Highland volume production in September, although the ramp-up will be slow at first. Delivery times in Europe have already been pushed back until October-November at the earliest.
Project Highland news and rumors are flying left and right these days as Tesla is closer than ever to replacing its oldest product in the lineup. The Model 3 was launched in 2017 and was never updated, a sad fate for the model that basically started the EV revolution all on its own. In the meantime, its younger brother, the Model Y, has seen rolling updates, from the structural battery pack and megacastings to new suspension, Hardware 4 computer, and many other features. Even the Model S and Model X have been revamped several times since their launch, the last time in February.
Tesla acknowledged that its more affordable electric sedan had grown a little long in the tooth and planned a major redesign. Project Highland, as it was called, marks the most extensive upgrade to a Tesla model ever attempted. Unlike the other members of the S3XY lineup, which have seen constant improvements but no redesign, the Model 3 will have everything, from a new face to revamped underpinnings and exciting new equipment. Most notably, the cost-cutting measures afforded by using megacastings and a structural battery pack will make the Model 3 a compelling offering.
Many rumors surround the refreshed Model 3, starting with the new exciting features like ventilated seats, ambient lighting, HW4 computer with additional cameras, and upgraded battery and drive units. A recent filing in China revealed that the new model might have a slightly better range despite being a little heavier than the current model. Still, people are the most excited about the new design, which was revealed in April thanks to a leaked picture.
The Project Highland Model 3 was rumored to have entered trial production at Giga Shanghai in June. Tesla allegedly established a new pilot line to calibrate the machines without disrupting the current model's production. The pilot production line was kept under high security, with employees prohibited from using camera phones. The volume production was rumored to start in September, and new information from China seems to confirm the rumors.
According to messages sent to Tesla employees at Giga Shanghai, the current Model 3 production will end on August 14. This is further corroborated by the new delivery estimates in Europe, which have been pushed back to October-November at the earliest. The Model 3 units sold in Europe come exclusively from Giga Shanghai, and the delivery delays have been directly connected to the model switchover at the Chinese gigafactory. Following the discontinuation of the current Model 3, the line will be configured to produce the Project Highland Model 3 instead.
Tesla acknowledged that its more affordable electric sedan had grown a little long in the tooth and planned a major redesign. Project Highland, as it was called, marks the most extensive upgrade to a Tesla model ever attempted. Unlike the other members of the S3XY lineup, which have seen constant improvements but no redesign, the Model 3 will have everything, from a new face to revamped underpinnings and exciting new equipment. Most notably, the cost-cutting measures afforded by using megacastings and a structural battery pack will make the Model 3 a compelling offering.
Many rumors surround the refreshed Model 3, starting with the new exciting features like ventilated seats, ambient lighting, HW4 computer with additional cameras, and upgraded battery and drive units. A recent filing in China revealed that the new model might have a slightly better range despite being a little heavier than the current model. Still, people are the most excited about the new design, which was revealed in April thanks to a leaked picture.
The Project Highland Model 3 was rumored to have entered trial production at Giga Shanghai in June. Tesla allegedly established a new pilot line to calibrate the machines without disrupting the current model's production. The pilot production line was kept under high security, with employees prohibited from using camera phones. The volume production was rumored to start in September, and new information from China seems to confirm the rumors.
According to messages sent to Tesla employees at Giga Shanghai, the current Model 3 production will end on August 14. This is further corroborated by the new delivery estimates in Europe, which have been pushed back to October-November at the earliest. The Model 3 units sold in Europe come exclusively from Giga Shanghai, and the delivery delays have been directly connected to the model switchover at the Chinese gigafactory. Following the discontinuation of the current Model 3, the line will be configured to produce the Project Highland Model 3 instead.
An alleged internal chat message indicating Model 3 production shutdown on Aug 14 at Giga Shanghai. Not sure this is legit or not. pic.twitter.com/m7WooISdd3
— Ray (@ray4tesla) August 3, 2023
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