Tesla is getting its Model 3 EV ready for a mid-generational refresh after five years of production, Reuters reports citing ‘knowledgeable sources’. The emphasis is on redesigning the car in a plain and straightforward way to lower production costs while improving functionality. The launch is expected in the third quarter of 2023.
According to these insiders, the company aims to minimize the number of parts it is currently using to make the body and the cabin of the Model 3 to retrofit its factories and drastically cut production expenses. The exterior should retain its recognizable aesthetic, while the interior is going to be even more minimalist than it currently is.
At the same time, Tesla wants to upgrade the powertrain and improve the features its customers order the most often, including the infotainment display. As such, it is probably safe to say that most of the modifications will be made in hardware, since the software can always be updated over the air.
Overall, the update should follow the same basic scenario the company used when working on the Model S and Model X. One of the main goals is to relight the public interest towards the Model 3. The production is expected to start at the Shanghai Gigafactory first, followed by other factories later.