Thousands of new Tesla Model Y customer vehicles head to Australia

Less than four months since orders opened, thousands of new Tesla Model Ys have left Shanghai on their way to Australia for eagerly awaiting customers. 

At the same time, those order holders of the new Model Y launch series special edition have started to receive VINs (vehicle identification numbers) ahead of the imminent start of Australia’s most popular EV.

According to reports from gearmusk, over 3,000 right hand drive 2025 Tesla Model Y vehicles in right hand drive, are heading to Australia.

These cars were being loaded onto a vehicle carrier roll-on-roll-off (RoRo) ship called Great Pioneering that has been docked at Shanghai’s Nangang Terminal.

According to this report, 3,499 Tesla vehicles were loaded for export from Shanghai. 

Of these, 3,015 were the new 2025-built Model Y vehicles destined for customers in Australia, with the first stop being Port Kembla in New South Wales.

Tesla produces all Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in Shanghai at its Gigafactory, which started operating in 2020.

Since then, Tesla has produced and delivered over 100,000 Shanghai-built EVs into the Australian market.

The new Model Y is no different. The efficiency of that factory led to a quick swap from the previous generation to Tesla’s latest SUV.

Following the news of Tesla Model Ys being loaded onto an Australian-bound ship, local order holders have started to receive VINs for their vehicles.

This update was shared by Roland from zapped on X, followed by confirmation by multiple order holders.

As of the time of writing, the estimated delivery date for these orders remain mid May into June which is in-line with Tesla’s original timeframe provided when the orders opened in January this year.

The new Model Y’s pricing starts from $58,900 before on-roads for the single-motor RWD variant. The top-spec dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant sees the pricing at $68,900 before on-roads.

These are $4,500 less than the special launch series vehicles that are expected to be the first arrivals into Australia.

The 2025 model features improved range, faster acceleration, updated exterior styling with new paints, interior lighting, ventilated front seats, rear passenger controls and entertainment screen, powered second-row reclining seats, upgraded suspension, upgraded acoustic glass for a quieter ride and much more.

We recently drove the Long Range variant and are reassured that it’s had some significant improvements under the skin, making it a great choice for those looking at getting into their first electric car or upgrading their existing EV.

Thousands of owners will experience this for themselve when this first batch lands next month with thousands more to follow in the coming months.