Tesla has quietly made a change to its website to no longer offer the option to add a factory tow hitch for its Model Y compact crossover SUV (via Reddit).
“Just went to order and the option is no longer there. Was there a couple days ago so must have just been removed,” said u/Roisen.
It now appears Tesla will offer the factory tow hitch, but you’ll need to have it installed at a service center, after your purchase. It also appears to have increased in price by $200 to to $1,200 USD, according to to u/Roisen.
“Talked with sales and they confirmed. There is a tow hitch accessory in the shop for $1200 (so a $200 price increase), and it has to be installed at a service center. They offered to arrange to have the tow hitch shipped to the service center and be ready when I pick up the vehicle, but that’s more of a hassle and more expensive than it used to be to just select the option,” added u/Roisen.
This is definitely an inconvenience for those seeking a tow hitch for hauling a trailer or adding a bike rack for example, but the move may allow Tesla to streamline production.
Clearly, there isn’t enough demand for a factory tow hitch that Tesla saw the need to remove it from the online configurator. However, the tow hitch option still remains in Canada for $1,300 CAD.
When Tesla first launched the Model Y in March 2020, a factory tow hitch option wasn’t available online until April, priced at $1,000 USD.
According to Tesla’s website, the Model Y factory hitch has a towing capability of up to 3,500 lbs. or 1587 kg.
Update: The tow hitch has returned and now there is an easier access lid in the bottom left, it appears:
