Industry reports from China say Tesla’s longer-wheelbase Model Y L has entered mass production at Gigafactory Shanghai, marking the latest expansion of the automaker’s best-selling crossover lineup.
What’s reported
– Industry watchers on Chinese social media say Model Y L production has begun at Giga Shanghai and that Tesla China is surveying domestic stores to decide where the first display units will appear.
– The model’s specifications appear in a recent China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing for vehicles eligible for purchase tax exemptions. The MIIT entry lists the Model Y L as a dual-motor vehicle equipped with an 82.0‑kWh lithium-ion battery from LG Energy Solution, configured with six seats (including two second-row captain’s chairs) and a CLTC range of 751 km.
– The Model Y L is expected to be a longer-wheelbase, three-row version of the standard Model Y.
Why this matters
– Producing the Model Y L on existing Model Y assembly lines should reduce new tooling and ramp-up costs, allowing Tesla to add a three-row option without building an entirely new platform.
– A lower-priced, mass-produced three-row Tesla could give the company stronger footing in the family SUV segment, an area previously served mainly by the pricier Model X.
– The six-seat layout (with second-row captain’s chairs) also makes the Model Y L potentially attractive as a more premium configuration for fleet and robotaxi applications.
Context and caveats
– The MIIT listing and social-media reports are meaningful regulatory and industry milestones, but they do not equate to an official Tesla launch or confirmed delivery dates. MIIT inclusion makes the model eligible for certain tax incentives in China, which can affect pricing and market competitiveness.
– CLTC range figures tend to be higher than EPA or WLTP measures; the 751 km number reflects the CLTC test cycle used in China and should be interpreted accordingly.
What to watch next
– Official confirmation from Tesla about production volumes, pricing and delivery timing.
– Which China showrooms display the first units and when customer orders or configurators appear.
– Any further details on battery sourcing, final range figures under other testing cycles, and whether the model will be exported or remain China-specific initially.
Short summary
Reports indicate Tesla has begun mass production of a longer-wheelbase, three-row Model Y L at Gigafactory Shanghai. MIIT filings list it as a dual-motor, six-seat vehicle with an 82.0‑kWh LG battery and a CLTC range of 751 km. Production on existing Model Y lines could lower costs and let Tesla compete more directly in the three-row SUV market.
Additional comments for the article (editor suggestions)
– Include a clear specs box comparing Model Y L to the standard Model Y and Model X (wheelbase, seating, battery, range by test cycle).
– Add images or schematic renderings of the six-seat layout and longer-wheelbase silhouette.
– Note the testing-cycle differences (CLTC vs. WLTP/EPA) for reader context on range figures.
– Monitor and update the article when Tesla issues official confirmation, announces pricing, or opens ordering.
Optimistic angle
A mass-produced three-row Model Y could broaden EV adoption by offering a more affordable, family-friendly electric SUV with seating flexibility, and it could accelerate the adoption of electric fleet vehicles where interior space and passenger comfort matter.