Photos have surfaced online of a prototype vehicle that could be Tesla’s long-rumored small car.
The photos, published on Autospydepicts what appears to be a small SUV sporting headlights and taillights similar to the Model 3 and Model Y.
In terms of size and proportions, however, it looks more in the Mazda CX-30’s ballpark.
Tesla said earlier this year that it would announce details about its next-generation platform on March 1, 2023.
The “generation 3” platform can support new entry-level models and robotaxi.
“[An entry-level vehicle is] the main focus of our new vehicle development team, obviously,” CEO Elon Musk said in a conference call following the announcement of Tesla’s Q3 2022 financial results.
“At this point, we are done with the engineering for the Cybertrucks and for the Semi. So, obviously that’s what we’re working on, a next-generation vehicle, which is probably about half the cost of the 3 and Y platforms. It’s going to be smaller, to be clear.”
Tesla’s cheapest model is currently the Model 3 RWD, which opens at $64,300 before on-road costs. Chinese brands such as BYD and MG are entering the local electric vehicle market with models that start well below that.
Elon Musk is talking about a new entry-level model in 2020, with a suggested base price of US$25,000 (A$36,209 in today’s money) and “fully autonomous” capabilities.
But in 2021, Tesla’s CEO appeared to pour cold water on plans for an entry-level model, saying during an earnings call, “We’re not working on a $25,000 car. At some point we will. But we have enough on our plate right now — too many at on our plate, frankly.”
One of the items on Tesla’s plate is the Cybertruck, which has been delayed and now won’t enter volume production until next year.
Tesla could cut costs with its new 4680 battery, first announced in 2020, which it says is more energy-dense and manufacturable.
The company confirmed in December it had reached a weekly production of 868,000 cells, which it says is enough to power 1000 vehicles.
The new entry-level model could help boost Tesla’s sales in the important Chinese market, where it will likely be produced.
Tesla announced price cuts there earlier this year, which gave the brand a boost in sales. But it faces stiffer competition from local brands, chief among them BYD which has launched more affordable EVs such as Dolphin and Seagull.