This Week in Tesla - New Details and Perspectives On Model Y, Tesla Rushes to the End of 2019

Model Y Performance Spotted Driving in Washington State

Earlier this week, yet another spotting of the upcoming Model Y Crossover SUV prototype undergoing testing occurred on I-5 in Washington State. The only difference between this testing and other previous public road testing sessions is that the vehicle in the video appears to be a Dual Motor Performance version of the car. This is discernible by the calipers on wheels, as red calipers have always signified a Tesla performance model.

What is interesting and suggests upcoming production is that Tesla actually painted the calipers for the test, meaning the prototype in question must be very close to what will soon be the full production iteration of the car. The Model Y was originally scheduled to arrive in late 2020 although reports which call for part suppliers to have Model Y parts ready earlier than expected, suggest the Model Y will come to fruition this summer. The footage also tells us that Tesla is continuing to black out the window trim and door handle chrome on the Model Y, which is new for the company.

Tesla Rushes to the End of 2019

In order to keep end of year deliveries high, yet manageable and consistent, Tesla has indirectly taken the $1,875 federal tax credit away from buyers. Some buyers, who hoped to get their cars by the end of the year, and thus receive the last of the federal tax credit which has been slowly phased out, are now being given two options, they can agree to take delivery later than expected, in early 2020 or to cancel their orders.

Tesla has emphasized that it is paramount for them to deliver as many cars as possible by the end of 2020 in order to remain profitable and report higher earnings. This means that one looking purely at the success of the company and not the satisfaction of the customer could see this as a good thing as Tesla has so many orders that they can not keep up with them and therefore must delay deliveries.

All in all, it does not speak highly of where Tesla sees the customer in relation to their bottom line though. A simple solution for this would just be to credit the tax credit to the owners who have had their deliveries delayed, yet Tesla has announced no plans to do so.

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