Let’s break down this strategy together, which leaves me perplexed and could cost Tesla dearly in the long run.<\/p>\n\n
New versions that all look a little too similar<\/h2>\n\n
The new Model Y AWD<\/strong> represents an entry-level all-wheel drive option, certainly, but with no gain in space or versatility. When I look at the different configurations available \u2013 Long Range, Performance, new AWD \u2013 I mainly see differences in driving range and power, but always the same platform, the same cabine int\u00e9rieure. <\/p>\n\n After 3 years with my Model Y, I know its qualities perfectly: dynamic, embedded technology, Supercharger network. But also its main limitation: space for a maximum of 5 people<\/strong>. And no new version changes that. <\/p>\n\n In terms of aesthetics, all versions look like two drops of water. No striking visual differentiation that would truly justify this multiplication of versions<\/strong>. Families are looking for space, not an extra 10 km of driving range or 0.2 seconds less on the 0-100 km\/h. <\/p>\n The gradual discontinuation of the Model X<\/strong> marks a worrying turning point. Tesla is ending production of its full-size SUV, the one that offered 6-7 seats and represented the only option for large families<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n My analysis? It was the only Tesla vehicle truly suitable for families with multiple children. The American market, however, remains dominated by Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Cadillac Escalade… Three-row behemoths that Tesla leaves untouched, as if this segment didn’t exist. <\/p>\n\n The concrete consequences are immediate: families of 5+ people who want to stay in the Tesla ecosystem no longer have a solution. I can easily imagine this testimony: “I love my Tesla, but with 3 children and in-laws to transport regularly, I have to look elsewhere.” <\/p>\n\n The Model X was expensive, it’s true, but it met a crucial family need<\/strong>. Its abandonment creates a huge hole in the Tesla lineup. <\/p>\n\n The Model Y L<\/strong> is currently produced at the Shanghai Gigafactory. This long-wheelbase<\/strong> version with a third row of seats is not a futuristic concept; it’s a tangible reality. <\/p>\n\n The technical proof that Tesla perfectly masters this configuration is there, right before our eyes. Photos and specifications are publicly available. The technology exists, the production line is running. <\/p>\n\n This is the paradox that leaves me speechless: the US market is THE territory for large SUVs, yet Tesla doesn’t offer the Y Long there. Rumors suggest a possible arrival in late 2026, but nothing has been officially confirmed. <\/p>\n\n My incomprehension is total. Demand is massive, the technology exists, Tesla’s production in China continues to raise questions<\/a>, so why wait? Tesla cites production complexity, but China is already achieving it without apparent problems. <\/p>\n\n The loss of the $7,500 tax credit<\/strong> in 2025 makes the timing even more critical. Buyers lose a major financial advantage at the very moment Tesla doesn’t have the right product to offer. <\/p>\n Tesla’s strategic focus<\/strong> is clearly shifting towards the development of Robotaxi and full autonomous driving. Elon Musk talks more about autonomous fleets than family vehicles, and it shows in the company’s priorities. <\/p>\n\n My observation? Tesla is taking a big risk with this approach. While the company looks to 2030, 2025 customers are buying elsewhere. A McKinsey study highlights that a third of buyers consider the absence of CarPlay to be a deal-breaker \u2013 a perfect example of this disconnect from real expectations. <\/p>\n\n I seriously fear an Osborne Effect<\/strong>: if people wait for the next big thing (Robotaxi, Model Y L, the future $25,000 compact car that Tesla is preparing<\/a>), they won’t buy current models. Tesla risks losing loyal customers by failing to listen to immediate needs<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n Balance is necessary: yes to innovation and long-term vision, but without neglecting the current lineup and concrete market demands.<\/p>\n\n The US SUV market<\/strong> represents the largest global market for three-row vehicles. Tahoes, Expeditions, and the like sell by hundreds of thousands of units each year. It’s colossal. <\/p>\n\n The electric opportunity is even more interesting: this segment is just beginning its electric transition<\/strong>. Tesla could be a leader and set the standards, but the company is letting Rivian with its R1S, BMW with the iX, Mercedes with the EQS SUV quietly establish themselves in this lucrative niche. <\/p>\n\n The Double Handicap 2025<\/strong> becomes problematic: loss of tax credit + absence of a large electric SUV = a difficult commercial cocktail to swallow. My calculation is simple: even 5% of this market would represent tens of thousands of annual units for Tesla. <\/p>\n\n An open question I ask myself: how long can Tesla afford to ignore this massive segment? When you look at the interior of the current Model Y, which I know well<\/a>, you quickly understand the space limitations for a growing family. <\/p>\n\n I love Tesla, I’ve been driving a Tesla for 3 years now, but this strategy really worries me. The message I would like to convey to the Tesla teams is simple: listen to your customers, not just your AI engineers and futuristic projections. <\/p>\n\n![\"Tesla](\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/tesla-model-y-versions-02-04-01.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe Model X disappears, and with it Tesla’s only family SUV<\/h2>\n\n
The Model Y Long already exists… but only in China<\/h2>\n\n
Production already in place in Shanghai<\/h3>\n\n
Why not in the United States, the largest SUV market?<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Tesla](\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/tesla-model-y-versions-02-04-02.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nRobotaxi: when futuristic vision overshadows today’s needs<\/h2>\n\n
The American three-row SUV market: a neglected gold mine<\/h2>\n\n