Tesla’s Gigafactory Shanghai has officially kicked off mass production of the new Model Y, and with that, the company has also accelerated the vehicle’s delivery timeline.
Initially set for March, the first batch of the new Model Y will now reach customers in China earlier than originally anticipated. Tesla’s website in China now shows the first deliveries will begin by late February, instead of March, signaling a swift production ramp-up at Tesla’s largest manufacturing hub.
On Tuesday the official Tesla Asia account on X announced the start of production at Giga Shanghai, sharing several photos from inside the factory showing new Model Ys finished in Glacier Blue rolling off the production line.
Production of the new Model Y has officially started at Gigafactory Shanghai.
— Tesla Asia (@Tesla_Asia) February 18, 2025
Deliveries coming soon pic.twitter.com/UYQdXCxD07
Giga Shanghai’s rapid transition into full-scale Model Y production highlights the efficiency of Tesla’s supply chain and manufacturing capabilities. In 2024, Tesla China accounted for more than half of the company’s global sales, with over 916,000 vehicles produced at the Shanghai plant. The facility serves as a key production hub not only for the domestic market but also for exports to Europe and other Asia-Pacific markets.
Accelerating Model Y deliveries suggests that Tesla has successfully navigated China’s regulatory landscape, securing all necessary approvals faster than anticipated. This is crucial given that China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) requires all new vehicle models to undergo rigorous certification before they can be sold.
