JAKARTA - Amidst increasingly fierce competition in electric vehicles, Tesla is reportedly preparing to produce its affordable vehicle. Tesla's declining market share in several global automotive markets further strengthens this rumor.
However, this isn't the new model many have been waiting for. According to ArenaEV, Tuesday, September 23, Tesla is preparing a more affordable version of the Model Y. The Tesla Model Y is known to be the world's best-selling car in 2024 and 2025.
Code-named E41, this new variant cuts a surprising number of features, from the glass roof to basic safety systems, in an effort to lower the entry price for one of the world's best-selling electric cars.
The company's new strategy involves creating cheaper trims of existing vehicles. After confirming in July that the first would be a Model Y version, details were scarce.
Now, information discovered within Tesla's own software provides the first comprehensive look at what "affordable" means to Tesla.
The list of components being removed or simplified is extensive. On the exterior, the E41 will reportedly lose two signature Tesla features: the panoramic glass roof and power-folding side mirrors. Furthermore, the front fascia is also rumored to be modified and 18-inch wheels will be simplified.
The changes extend to the vehicle's mechanical systems, with a lowered suspension system. These modifications will create a Model Y that is both visually and mechanically distinct from the version currently on sale.
Inside the cabin, changes are also expected, with a simplified fiberglass headliner and basic cabin lighting limited to the footwell. Rear passengers will lose the second-row view and may not even have control over their air vents, as that feature has been removed.
The driver is not spared either, with seat controls simplified to a single axis of movement. This approach mirrors the base Model 3 sold in Mexico.
The most surprising changes involve safety and convenience technology. The E41 is expected to ship with a backup camera that lacks a heater, potentially limiting its use in cold climates. Furthermore, vehicle code indicates the absence of a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), a feature that has become standard across the industry and mandated in many regions.
Tesla's strategy with the E41 is a bit of a gamble; it could attract a new segment of buyers to the brand, but it could also alienate existing customers and dilute Tesla's premium image.
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