Wait times for a new Tesla Model Y are now down to four to eight weeks in China, and Model 3 wait times are now down to 12-16 weeks.
The change on the US EV maker’s website means that the wait times for the Model Y have now also been cut by a month. Previously, a new Model Y customer was told they would have to wait for eight to 12 weeks to receive their vehicle.
Model 3 times have also come down, although there is still a lengthy wait. As reported by CNEVPost, new Model 3 customers previously had to wait up to five months depending on what variant they ordered. Now, the maximum wait is four months.
The reduction in time comes as Tesla continues to ramp up production at its Shanghai factory, after an upgrade to increase annual production capacity
While the reduction in wait times is reassuring for China-based customers, Australian Model 3 and Model Y customers are still facing a long wait.
The Driven heard as recently as last Friday from Tesla customers, some of whom ordered Model 3s in January, were still awaiting a VIN.
And though Model Y customers are now receiving their vehicles two months after ordering in June, new customers ordering a Model 3 or Model Y now will be waiting until at least February, or as long as until May – a wait of nine months.
It is thought that Tesla is prioritising Model Y production as it delivers a greater profit margin. Currently, in Australia, there are only the $72,300 RWD and $96,700 Performance Model Y available.
Long Range Model 3 wait list too long in US
Meanwhile, Tesla has stopped taking orders for the Long Range Model 3 in the US and Canada. While the variant is still visible on the EV maker’s online configurator, it is greyed out. A note adjoining the Long Range button says “Available in 2023”, although not exactly when.
In response to a question on Twitter as to why the Long Range Model 3 was not available for order, Tesla boss Elon Musk said, “Waitlist is too long. Will enable again as we ramp production.”
Waitlist is too long. Will enable again as we ramp production.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 13, 2022
But it won’t remain that way, Musk says. In a follow up post in response to an article about demand for Tesla cars outstripping production capacity, he said, “Note, we are trying to reduce delivery times as quickly as possible. Long wait times are not a good thing.”
Note, we are trying to reduce delivery times as quickly as possible. Long wait times are not a good thing.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 17, 2022
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.