Tesla Temporarily Cut Model Y Pricing
The Tesla Model Y is the world’s best-selling electric vehicle, but that hasn’t stopped the automaker from exploring new ways to boost buyer interest. Though it’s eligible for federal tax credits, Tesla is temporarily decreasing pricing on the SUV, dropping it to $42,990 for the base model and $47,990 for the Long Range model.
That pushes the lease price down to $379 to start, and the down payment is at just $2,500. Tesla also lists the post-tax credit prices, which can be applied at the point of sale starting this year. They make the base Model Y $35,490, the Long Range $40,490, and the Performance $44,990.
It’s important to note that this price cut is temporary, according to Tesla. That said, there’s nothing saying that the automaker won’t change its mind and extend the cuts. Tesla cut prices several times last year, making the Model 3 one of the most affordable EVs on sale, but the move angered owners and threw the vehicle’s long-term values into complete chaos.
The automaker has said that continued price cuts are not the best path forward, so it will be interesting to see where things go after this. Other companies have offered discounts on vehicles not eligible for tax credits, but that’s not a problem with the Model Y. We’ll just have to wait until March 1 to see if Tesla decides to keep the price cuts or bring back the higher MSRPs.
[Image: Tesla]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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Fire Elon. Then build a vehicle with all the gages knobs and buttons in the right place. Adjusting the speed of your windshield wipers should not involve a touch screen.
Funny. Demand is supposedly so high they have to cut prices.
"That pushes the lease price down to $379 to start, and the down payment is at just $2,500."
• If I sign up for this deal will everyone finally like me? I want so badly for people to respect my vehicle choices... 😉
Tesla's factory-to-customer model means prices should be more volatile than traditional cars where thousands of dealers are able to hold inventory. Tesla probably doesn't have the space to store a lot of cars should the factories get ahead of demand.
Rather than continuing to cut cost, I'd like to see Tesla invest in tooling some traditional switchgear, as well as offering more interior and color options. A heads-up display would be nice too. And I think they need to bring back radar cruise control. The times I've driven an M3 I had many instances of phantom braking during cruise control operation.