Part 3/11:
The delay from July was strategic, linked partly to the expiration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit that expired on September 30th. Tesla’s plan appears to have been to hold off launching the affordable Model Y to maximize the impact of this credit on higher-priced models. By delaying, Tesla also aims to prevent the market from experiencing a PR crash or consumer confusion immediately after the credits expire.
Now that the credit has ended, Tesla has cleared the way to introduce the affordable Model Y without cannibalizing demand for its more expensive variants. The timing suggests the company is preparing for a surprise launch within October, potentially aligning with key market and media cycles.