Tesla’s Giga Texas has officially begun production of the Model Y Performance. The launch marks a major expansion of the facility’s capabilities—and the second new Model Y variant to start production in Austin in recent weeks.
Last month on October 17 Giga Texas quietly began building the Model Y Standard, a move that broadened Tesla’s offering from the Austin plant. Now less than three weeks later, the factory is also producing the Performance variant.
On Wednesday drone pilot Joe Tegtmeyer spotted rows of the new top-of-the-line variant in the factory’s lot, easily identifiable from the other Model Y variants due to its new distinct styling, in particular the newly designed front and rear fascias.
With the Standard Range and now the Performance variant added to the mix, Giga Texas produces all Model Y variants, with the exception of the China-exclusive six-seat Model Y L.
The start of production lines up with what reservation holders are seeing in their accounts. This week many customers in the U.S. have been notified to finish the final steps of the process in the mobile app, and estimated delivery dates are showing the first units could be handed over to customers as soon as November 19.
NEWS: Model Y Performance deliveries in the U.S. could start as soon as November 19. https://t.co/mkErQEHdGN pic.twitter.com/GWS7kVUsIc
— Drive Tesla (@DriveTeslaca) November 4, 2025
Unfortunately Canadians are still waiting for the Model Y Performance to become available north of the border. Due to the current tariff situation in the U.S., it does not make financial sense to import the vehicle from Fremont (Giga Texas has never supplied Canada). To get around the tariffs, Tesla is now importing the Model Y from Giga Berlin, and although that factory is also producing the Model Y Performance, it has yet to appear on the Canadian configurator.
When deliveries do start in the U.S., one of the most anticipated features of the Model Y Performance will be the new Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability. The new feature turns the vehicle into a mobile power source, allowing it to power essentials such as laptops, power tools, appliances, or camping gear. The Model Y L also supports V2L, although the required Outlet Adapter is not yet available in China.
