Tesla ready for Model 3 ‘Highland’ production

Shanghai production of the current Tesla Model 3 will stop on August 14 as the China factory readies for manufacturing the “affordable” new Highland version.

That’s according CleanTechnica which quotes several media sources, including social media posts such as Chris Zheng saying: “Giga Shanghai started production switchover, starting this week to produce two days of current Model 3, two days of Highland production, alternate operation, and completely switch to Highland production two weeks later.”

CleanTechnica also attributes a report to Chinese industry news source AutoHome on August 3 that Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said the factory would be shut down and upgraded in the third quarter for the new Model 3, warning that would impact third quarter data.

It says delivery of the rear-wheel drive and long-range versions in the European market is from October to November this year with the delivery time for the Performance version likely from November 2023 to January 2024.

The Tesla Model 3 has been produced in China since late 2019, including for New Zealand and Australian markets.

CleanTechnica says it reported last November that Tesla has been working behind the scenes to improve the Model 3 by simplifying the production process. “The changes will reduce the cost of manufacturing, which could lead to lower prices for consumers and/or higher profit margins for the company.”

The Model 3 revamp is dubbed the “Highland Project” and the new Model 3 has been reported in EVs and Beyond at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds near Queenstown in conjunction with other Tesla vehicles like the Cybertruck.

Speculation has been mounting about what the Highland Model 3 will have – including the battery composition – with very little revealed by Tesla yet.

CleanTechnica also reports on a class legal action in California alleging false range claims, which Tesla is expected to defend.