Production of the facelifted 2025 Tesla Model Y ‘Juniper’ will reportedly start today (October 22) at Gigafactory Shanghai, albeit at a reduced output of 12 units a day.
According to CarNewsChina, the capped production output is understood to be something of a trial run before the updated Model Y goes into full-scale production late next month, with all electronic devices having been banned from the plant to avoid leaks.
Camouflaged Juniper prototypes have been spotted across the US in recent months and even leaked to social media by an unnamed Tesla employee.
The spy and leaked imagery don’t reveal too much about the new model’s design apart from a new Cybertruck-inspired rear lighting signature, some new contouring and some mildly refined door cards.
The rest of the body is anticipated to align with the updated Model 3 and present an overall sleeker and more sophisticated aesthetic while the powertrain is primed to score similar range, power and efficiency upgrades.
Despite the rumoured early production start however, the facelifted Model Y won’t be released globally until 2025, the confirmation coming from none other than Elon Musk himself back in June.
“No Model Y ‘refresh’ is coming out this year,” the Tesla CEO said via X.
The new exterior and overhauled powertrains will be complemented by a redesigned interior and upgraded technology suite, the latter of which will facilitate enhanced safety systems.
All Australian Model Ys are sourced out of China, pointing to an early 2025 release for the Juniper version which will no doubt be on hot demand.