Model Y, a new step for Tesla

Everyone remembers iPhone launch but I don't think they remember when people started taking iPhone seriously. 

When did you? When did you take Apple seriously? People were laughed at when iPhone launched. But what about iPhone 4s, a face lift to the popular iPhone 4, everyone at this point knew that Apple were out in front and the game to catch up was on. Tesla was on its financial knees 6 years ago. And since then have trail blazed a new route the same way Apple did before becoming synonymous with the smart phone.

This is where Tesla find themselves with the launch of their brand new Model Y in the UK. Tesla are now a major player in the world automotive game. Everyone (especially the Germans automakers) know Uncle Elon is onto a winner by designing and building cars. Tesla are now having to innovate a product that they help bring into the world. It will be an interesting to see if they can do it. They haven't slowed their pace of innovation though, but time will tell if it is in the right areas.

Model Y joins us after a prolonged time as being Tesla's best selling car in the US. It has the ability to lap a circuit faster than a Porsche Cayman and is, at a push, able to seat 7 people - this won’t be available in the UK. Model Y is everything that traditional petrol heads hate, a cross over SUV that doesn't quite have a home in any particular segment, however it does all the jobs very, very well. Journalist reviews of the machine rave about it. The American market loves it, and the UK market is following suit with how much it is falling in love with the SUV and Crossover.

Let’s expand on Model Y being like iPhone 4s a little more, only the most hardened of Apple fans got an iPhone, 3G or 3GS, iPhone 4 made it cool, and 4s is when Apple started to really dominate the market. Tesla earlier models; Model S and X are the original iPhone, 3G and 3GS while Model 3 is the iPhone 4. Model Y appeals for so many more reasons than it just being a Tesla, like iPhone 4s was the best around phone on the market at that point, even though it was just an upgrade to the iPhone 4, it fixed everything that made the 4 annoying allowing everyone to get on board.

Model Y shares over 70% of the components with Model 3, it improves it in almost every way as a family wagon. The power lift hatch and fold down seats are a huge positive over the Model 3. Model Y has a whole new rear end, made in one giant press, reducing parts, reducing servicing and improving reliability. Essentially like making a snowball, one neat press making the metal stronger and more durable. This is very brave, no other car manufacturers have tried this. 

German culture is to test and test and test until the part won't break, Japanese car culture is to let the entire team understand the entire build process to create a culture of total quality management. Silicon Valley Tech companies use design and data to build different processes and get rid of problems with each iteration of the build process. 

What is interesting about this car isn't that Tesla have changed their recipe for an electric car, they have doubled down on making a car that isn't like a car but a solution to future transportation and that will make it the best car Tesla have built, let there be no doubt about it. But will be the car that convert more owners to Tesla's way of building, delivering and servicing cars, thinking holistically. It remains to be seen whether this will win over the millions of people buying German, Korean and Japanese Crossovers in the UK and Europe who find comfort in the consistent but Y can it not I ask. 

You can register your interest at Octopus Electric Vehicles and order your new Model Y there too.