Tesla is reportedly preparing to introduce a new six-seat variant of the Model Y in China. The news comes just a few days after it was reported that Giga Shanghai was about to begin production of the seven-seat Model Y at Giga Shanghai after Tesla received approved to sell this variant in Europe.
Currently the Model Y is available in a five-seat configuration where ever the electric SUV is sold, with a seven-seat option available in the US, and until recently, Canada. However, it is believed this variant would be less popular in China due to the cramped nature of its third row.
According to a new report from Reuters, Tesla is planning to address this by introducing a six-seat version, offering more spacious and practical seating arrangement catering to the preferences of Chinese buyers.
This new Model Y variant is scheduled to enter production in late 2025.
According to the sources that spoke with Reuters, Tesla has already informed its suppliers to prepare for a substantial increase in production at Giga Shanghai. Tesla is currently awaiting approval to expand the factory, a move that would enable the automaker to ramp up production to meet the anticipated demand for both the new six-seat Model Y and the existing five-seat version.
As we noted, this new report of a possible six-seat Model Y has emerged just a few days after we reported that Tesla was preparing to begin production of the seven-seat Model Y at Giga Shanghai. Until now the Model Y was only built with a third row in the US, catering to the US (and formerly Canadian) market.
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Given the timeline of entering production in late 2025, the six-seat Model Y, if the report is accurate, would then be based on the new Model Y refresh, codenamed Project Juniper. This new Model Y is expected to enter production early next year, first at Giga Shanghai.
