Tesla set to commence production of Model Y Juniper

It has been reported that Tesla is imminently set to commence production for the revamped Model Y at its Shanghai factory this week. Sources from China indicate that the car manufacturer could commence the production of 'Project Juniper' as early as October 22, 2024.

▶️MORE: Tesla Model Y Juniper: Everything You Need To Know

For over a year, Tesla has been developing updates for the Model Y, which is currently the best selling car worldwide and is nearing its fifth year since debut. This update, known by its project name 'Project Juniper,' is anticipated to include many of the same enhancements introduced with the recent update of the Model 3, Project Highlad, which commence production at the end of last year.

Tesla has been seen road testing camouflaged prototypes in California and, more recently in Spain. The leaked images indicate that the Model Y's rear design will receive modifications as it did with the Model 3 Highland update.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously said the Model Y Juniper won't debut until 2025 which still appeats to hold true.

According to rumours on Chinese social networks, Tesla is slated to kick off an initial production run of the new Model Y at Giga Shanghai come Tuesday. It is rumoured that Tesla will maintain a limited production rate of just 15 vehicles per day. During this trial phase, precautions will be strictly enforced – segregating employees, banning smartphones and other electronics to avoid leaks, mirroring the precautions taken during the trial production of the updated Model 3, also in Giga Shanghai.

Should these reports hold true, we could see a potential release of the new Model Y from the Giga Shanghai factory and to markets relying on imports from China, such as Australia, in early 2025.

As for Project Juniper's released in North America, considering the updated Model 3's timeline, it made its North American debut roughly three months after its release in China. However, predicting when Tesla's American plants will start producing the new Model Y is more challenging based on this timeframe.