Overview
- Reuters reported Thursday that Tesla has approached suppliers about an all-new compact SUV with target specs of about 4.28 meters in length, roughly 1.5 metric tons in weight, a smaller battery, and a single motor, with initial production eyed for Shanghai and no launch expected this year.
- Tesla China told Cailian Press the report is inaccurate, and Tesla did not respond to requests for comment, with sources describing the effort as early and not yet approved for production.
- One source and a Tesla employee said the model could be built to run as a driverless robotaxi or as a normal car with steering and pedals, a setup meant to fit markets that will not allow fully driverless cars for years.
- The reporting follows Tesla’s 2024 decision to scrap a low-cost car program in favor of robotaxis and robotics, a pivot that coincided with two years of falling deliveries and a robotaxi service still limited to Austin with safety monitors in some rides.
- If the project advances, a lower-priced Tesla could broaden access for cost-sensitive buyers, and Shanghai’s low-cost supply chain could help, but the denial and early status mean plans remain uncertain and any production start is unlikely this year.