Tesla may have postponed the Model Y Juniper refresh release

The long-awaited Model Y Juniper refresh release that was previously rumored for as soon as this summer may have been postponed by Tesla. After telling its reps to inform future Model Y buyers in the US that a Juniper facelift isn't coming to them in 2024, there were some hopes that the refresh version may still be launched this year in China.

After all, the Model 3 Highland started its global journey in China first, then went to Europe, and has now arrived to the US, many months later than its official release of the first batches from the Shanghai Gigafactory.

Tesla China, however, has reportedly confirmed for the local Financial Associated Press that it, too, has no Model Y Juniper refresh pending in the sales channel pipeline for this year, moving all hope for 2025. Unless a surprise comes out of Giga Berlin, that is, but, seeing as the European-made Model Ys still come out with Hardware 3.0 kits from the factory, that is unlikely.

Since the beginning of the year, Tesla commenced a new Model Y price cut campaign that rippled from China to Europe and the US in various shape and form of the discounts and incentives. This sparked speculation that it might have decided to clear inventory for the the Model Y Juniper.

Elon Musk, however, dispelled this rumor, saying that the current Model Y price adjustments are based on seasonal demand, while Tesla reportedly sent out an internal memo advising its reps to tout the current Model Y deals as there is no Juniper refresh coming to North America this year.

Moreover, in China Tesla already updated the interior with several new elements like ambient LED lighting on the dash and new set of wheels, not to mention that it's been gradually shipping all new Model Y batches with Hardware 4.0 components in many markets for a while now.

Thus, the hope for a new Model Y Juniper facelift launch as soon as this summer is fading as Tesla may have decided that there is enough demand for the world's bestselling car at the moment. It may also want to preserve its margins in the "slowdown" 2024 which seems destined to be a transitional period when Tesla tries to aggressively ramp up the Cybertruck's production rate, as well as prepare the Giga Texas conveyor belts for its first mass market Model 2 EV. 

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