Tesla Model Y Design Review – AutoWeek

Elon Musk always starts his speeches with the most important point. In light of this, the following applies to the Model Y: The car shares at least 75% of its parts with the Model 3. This way of working enables Tesla to achieve significant cost savings. The savings are twofold. On the one hand, because fewer parts need to be developed and on the other hand, because the developed parts can be produced in larger volumes.

The Y floor plate model is the same as Model 3

Even though the Model Y is an SUV and the Model Y is a sedan, Tesla managed to use the Model 3’s floorboard in an SUV. By raising the interior floor on the Model Y with engineered polypropylene, the floorboard could be moved from the Model 3. This resulted in the Model 3’s interiors, such as the seats and the entire dashboard, being able to be reused. These parts only mount at a different height than the Model 3.

Car seats and dashboard are expensive and complex parts to develop. The average speed car seat is made up of 100 different parts and is made up of a bunch of different materials. Ideal if these development costs can be shared.

Far fewer parts are shared at Volkswagens

For example, the Volkswagen T-Roc (Photo 2 below) and Polo (Photo 1 below), but also the Golf (Photo 3 below) and Tiguan (Photo 4 below) only share a steering wheel on the inside. The main components of the interior, such as the center console and the lower side of the dashboard, are shared only with the Passat (photo 5) and Arteon.

Tesla’s nimble moves aren’t limited to the interior. The brand has developed an intricate one-piece casting for the Model Y’s chassis, made from what’s called Tesla’s proprietary pump. This casting reduces weight by 20 percent. Not unimportant in a large group race! The number of parts of the body part, which traditionally ranges from 700 to 800, has also been reduced to 50. This innovation also means savings in supply chain and production costs. It is very important that, moreover, a very low production time for the part was also achieved. Production time was reduced from 1 to 2 hours, to 3 to 5 minutes. This is an important profit maker for the desire to expand.

Clever finds also on the outside: the headlights and taillights are the same

We’re also seeing smart finds abroad. Because even though the proportions of sedan versus SUV in the Model 3 and Model Y are very different, Tesla designers have created two cars that don’t look like they cut back on parts development. However, the headlights and taillights of both models are the same. Thus, the unique individual character of these cars does not come from the specially painted headlights and taillights – as is usually the case – but from the surface around them.

With development costs of a new car ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 billion euros, this new way of designing and building cars is noteworthy. Whatever may be said about the workmanship and the exceptional CEO, his thinking and the mindset of his vehicle designers is truly unique in the industry.