Tesla is reportedly pausing part of its Model Y production line in Shanghai for around three weeks during the Lunar New Year to upgrade equipment, according to sources familiar with the matter, reports Bloomberg.
The move is expected to help the automaker gear up for higher output of the recently refreshed Model Y, these people said, speaking anonymously because they’re not authorized to share details publicly.
The new Model Y features a sleeker exterior with a Cybertruck-inspired LED light across the front and minor interior updates. Priced starting at 263,500 yuan ($35,900), orders opened last week, and deliveries are set to begin in March. The Model Y was the best-selling car in China for 2024.
The affected production line will reportedly close from January 22 to February 14, while another section that produces Model 3 sedans will pause from January 26 to February 3.
In China, Tesla’s share of battery electric vehicle sales slipped to around 10.6% last year, down from about 16% in 2020, according to industry data.
The Giga Shanghai factory upgrade aims to ensure the refreshed Model Y will be able to ramp up as it’s the main source of exports to the Asia-Pacific region.
