Revamped Tesla Model 3 only weeks away from mass production

The revamp of the Tesla Model 3, Australia’s second best selling sedan, is just weeks away from mass production, according to the latest information from local Tesla insight experts in China.

Chris Zheng, who is a well-sourced Tesla enthusiast in Shanghai, revealed on Twitter/X that production of the new Model 3, also known internally in Tesla as Project Highland, has started.

This is the first time, that production information has been shared on the upcoming electric sedan from Tesla in Shanghai, where all of the Model 3 and Model Ys for the Australian market are produced.

The latest timings on production go in line with reports out of Europe where the wait times for Tesla Model 3 in some European countries are pushing into 2024. In Australia, late delivery timeframes are still until September.

Previously, it’s been reported that the upcoming new Model 3 is expected to use a new larger battery pack that will provide up to 550 km of WLTP estimated range. 

This is a significant change and is expected to help some potential buyers who are still concerned about the range of EVs.

There are also expected to be multiple changes to the interior including removing the wooden trim section and replacing it with a bonded fabric material.

The next generation of the Model 3 is also expected to have Tesla’s latest full-self-driving hardware which Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, recently confirmed the improvements it’s likely to have with a 3-5 fold increase in capability over the current generation.

Earlier this year, drone footage showed a camouflaged Model 3 being tested at Tesla’s test track in California where the test driver puts the car in reverse without using the gear stalk behind the steering wheel. 

That’s very similar to the refreshed Model S and Model X, which won’t be arriving in Australia.

Another key change expected in the new model is a sharper and sleeker headlight setup. The rear indicators are vertical rather than horizontal ones found in the current Model 3.

These are some key improvements over the current generation of Australia’s best-selling EV model. The Model 3 locally has sold 12,179 units in 2023 or 23,056 since the beginning of 2022. 

In Australia, the Tesla Model 3 was recently surpassed by the Model Y, which sits in the more popular, family-friendly SUV segment.

The Model Y saw 3,330 sales in July while the dated Model 3 had its lowest month of sales with just 604 units sold, which also meant it slipped from being the top selling passenger sedan in Australia in 2023 to number 2 rank behind the Hyundai i30.

It will be interesting to see if the revamp helps the previous best-selling model climb regain top spot amongst EV and sedan buyers.