Tesla’s new Mannequin Y L won’t come to the U.S., CEO Elon Musk stated this morning.
It’s a missed alternative, and I’m not the one one who feels this manner.
Previously, I’ve personally written a handful of articles about what Tesla homeowners have been wanting in the US: a full-sized SUV, or at the very least a car that’s bigger than the Mannequin Y however much less of a crossover than the Mannequin X.
Tesla is lacking one kind of auto in its lineup and followers need it quick
The one factor that Tesla has introduced that even barely matches this kind of concept is the Robovanwhich is, optimistically, a number of years off as a result of it lacks a steering wheel and pedals and would require Full Self-Driving to be totally autonomous.
Even when Tesla launches FSD subsequent yr, it’ll take a yr or two to determine manufacturing, undergo regulatory hurdles with the EPA, and ultimately enter mass manufacturing for purchasers.
The Mannequin Y L has quite a lot of huge modifications that might be advantageous for the U.S. market, together with an extended wheelbase, extra snug seats, a 3rd row that seems to be extra spacious than Tesla’s six-seat Mannequin Y that it beforehand supplied, B-Pillar vents for rear passengers, and extra.
Nevertheless, Musk stated it received’t come to the U.S. till subsequent yrand that it “won’t ever, given the appearance of self-driving in America.”
This variant of the Mannequin Y doesn’t begin manufacturing within the US till the top of subsequent yr.
May not ever, given the appearance of self-driving in America.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 20, 2025
To be blunt, I’m undecided if I really consider that Musk thinks the Mannequin Y L received’t come to the U.S. Some consider he stated this to not Osborne Impact Mannequin Y gross sales right here, which appears extra seemingly than something.
Tesla Mannequin Y L will get disappointingly far manufacturing date in the US
Individuals have been shopping for the Mannequin Y for 2 years greater than another automobile on this planet. To behave as if many households wouldn’t admire the additional area appears very unusual; an enormous criticism with the Mannequin Y is that it merely doesn’t match bigger households.
In case you have 4 youngsters, you’re compelled into the Mannequin X, which is likely to be too costly for some households, because it begins at $79,990.
Whereas Tesla’s focus is undoubtedly on autonomyyou will need to keep in mind that some folks nonetheless actually benefit from the act of driving their automobiles. Tesla has labored very exhausting to create a enjoyable and sporty driving expertise, particularly within the new Mannequin Y. Many shoppers, together with myself, prefer to benefit from that.
Autonomy may ultimately take over human driving utterly, however within the close to time period, it doesn’t appear as if that’s the case. Even when somebody had been thinking about by no means driving once more, this longer and extra spacious Mannequin Y L can be a perfect choice for American households that want the room for at the very least six passengers.
Fairly just a few huge names within the Tesla neighborhood share this sentiment:
I’m a bit of stunned by this.
I feel the Mannequin Y L would promote extraordinarily effectively in North America, even with the appearance of self-driving. People love their bigger SUVs. Larger households right here need the Mannequin Y L. There’s a want in North America for bigger all-electric SUVs at a… https://t.co/v7D1IpCnET
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) August 20, 2025
Greater than seemingly, Musk doesn’t need to announce a extra engaging choice than the present Mannequin Y, as many shoppers would seemingly wait a yr or two for the L in an effort to have more room.
In all honesty, I see the Mannequin Y L coming to the US, because it really matches the invoice as a perfect automobile for the fashionable American household.
