On May 16th, Bloomberg reported that according to insiders, Tesla is approaching the final stage of trial production for its redesigned Model 3 sedan in Shanghai. This new electric vehicle is a bet by Elon Musk to better compete with Chinese automotive brands.
According to an anonymous insider who refused to reveal their identity, the updated Model 3 is Tesla’s first mass-market electric car aimed at driving the company’s profitability, with a slightly longer and sportier body and a more stylish interior design than previous versions.
Reports state that the first production line at Tesla’s Shanghai factory will be shut down for a few days at the end of this month for adjustments to prepare for trial production of the new car. Since early May, some Shanghai factory workers have been asked to put their phones in dedicated lockers outside the production line to avoid leaking details of the new car. Insiders involved in the project say that the goal of the update is to reduce production costs, and there have also been adjustments to the exterior and power system.
Tesla has not yet responded to the reports.
Previously, there have been online images of what appears to be the new Tesla Model 3, with no major changes to the overall design but modifications to the headlights, bumper, and wheels, with the iconic lines on the front disappearing in favor of a smoother curve.
▲ Source is a post on Reddit
▲ Current design of Tesla Model 3
According to the official website of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the range of the 2023 Model 3 is expected to be similar to the 2022 version. This car model is mainly divided into three versions in the US:
- Standard Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) version with a range of 438 km on 18-inch wheels and 430 km on 19-inch wheels;
- All-Wheel Drive Long Range (AWD) version with a range of 576 km on 18-inch wheels and 537 km on 19-inch wheels;
- High-Performance version with 20-inch wheels and a range of 507 km.
