Tesla’s highly anticipated Model Y Juniper refresh is on the horizon, with speculation pointing to a potential launch in the upcoming quarter, possibly in early summer. Reports indicate that Tesla is leveraging downtime at its Shanghai Gigafactory during the Chinese New Year period to gear up for mass production of the Model Y Juniper in Q2.
However, potential buyers in North America awaiting the Juniper refresh may face disappointment. Internal communication from Tesla reveals that there will be no 2024 Model Y Juniper release in the region. This decision aims to maintain sales momentum and avoid a slowdown before the facelift’s arrival.
The Juniper refresh is expected to feature a sleeker, more aggressive design, drawing inspiration from the Model 3 Highland refresh. Anticipated upgrades include a central console display akin to the Cybertruck’s, offering enhanced vehicle interactions and advanced software with 3D visuals.
Beneath the surface, the base Model Y Juniper is rumored to incorporate CATL’s M3P manganese phosphate battery technology, along with upgraded UWB Phone Key connectivity and the Hardware 4.0 suite from the Cybertruck.
The delay in the North American release could stem from additional crash testing and certification requirements, similar to those faced by the Model 3 Highland. Production challenges related to the implementation of dry-coated 4680 batteries may also contribute to the delay, as Tesla seeks to maintain federal tax credit eligibility for Juniper purchases.