Tesla is reportedly preparing to begin production of a new three-row version of the Model Y at Giga Shanghai, according to recent reports circulating on Chinese social media. The updated version, featuring an extended wheelbase to accommodate the third row, is expected to enter production shortly after China’s Labour Day holiday, which runs from May 1 to May 5.
The information comes from Chinese auto blogger @胖虎Shawn, who has a track record of accurately reporting Tesla developments. Tesla has not officially confirmed or denied the production plans. (via CNEvPost)
Currently, Tesla’s China website shows only the five-seat layout available for the new Model Y. No seven-seat option of the new Model Y has appeared since the introduction of the updated version of the electric SUV in January.
News of the possible start of production of the three-row Model Y follows a Reuters report last month, citing internal sources, that Tesla planned to produce a lower-priced Model Y, codenamed “E41,” at Giga Shanghai starting in 2026. According to the Chinese blogger, Tesla refers to this three-row model as the “E80.”
The timing of the rumored three-row Model Y launch also coincides with Tesla’s intensified promotional efforts in China. In March, Tesla announced a three-year zero-interest financing offer for customers who purchase a new Model Y before the end of April. More recently, the company expanded this offer to five years of zero-interest financing for purchases made before June 30.
The Model Y remains one of the best-selling EVs in China, but Tesla faces increasing competition from domestic automakers offering more affordable and feature-rich models. By introducing a new three-row option, Tesla could tap into demand from families seeking more spacious electric vehicles, helping to maintain its strong position in the world’s largest EV market.
