Telsa is shifting focus towards selling cars for the mass market and is looking to unveil a more economical version of the Model X which will be called Model Y.
The Tesla Model Y, touted to be an electric crossover, is scheduled to launch at the company’s upcoming Los Angeles Design Studio on 14 March.
Tesla boss Elon Musk had hinted about the company’s plan to launch Model Y through Twitter in 2017. Seems rumours are finally coming true.
With the launch of the Model Y in the market, Tesla will have, what many are calling a ‘S-E-X-Y’ lineup of cars. (the ‘E’ representing Model 3). Though, Elon Musk refers to the line as ‘S3XY’.
For those unaware, the Tesla Model 3 was to be named Model E but due to some legal implications, the company could not go through with it. Seemingly, to Ford, Model E sounded too much like Henry Ford's iconic Model T which is why Ford objected. At the time, Musk even said that “Ford tried to kill sex.”
Needles to say, Musk wasn’t very happy about Ford snagging the name.
But it seems post the launch of the Model Y, the company will bring an end to the ‘Model’ plus ‘letter’ naming scheme after the ‘S3XY’ vehicle lineup is complete, according to Elon Musk.
The Model Y will be sharing 75 percent of its parts with the Model 3 which is the company’s cheapest car at $35,000 (Rs 24 lakh approx). Elon Musk also said that the car will be 10 percent bigger than the Model 3, and will also be 10 percent more expensive, offering slightly less range for the same battery size.
The American automobile-maker recently announced a price drop for its cars and also said it is going for an all-online marketing strategy of selling the Model 3.
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