Tesla Model Y L might not come to the U.S., and it's a missed opportunity

"Tesla's new Model Y L might not come to the U.S., CEO Elon Musk said this morning. It's a missed opportunity, and I'm not the only one who feels this way. In the past, I have personally written a handful of articles about what Tesla owners have been wanting in the United States: a full-sized SUV, or at least a vehicle that is larger than the Model Y but less of a crossover than the Model X."

"The only thing that Tesla has announced that even slightly matches this sort of idea is the Robovan, which is, optimistically, several years off because it lacks a steering wheel and pedals and will require Full Self-Driving to be fully autonomous. Even if Tesla launches FSD next year, it will take a year or two to figure out manufacturing, go through regulatory hurdles with the EPA, and eventually enter mass production for customers."

Model Y L introduces a longer wheelbase, more comfortable seats, a seemingly more spacious third row than Tesla's previous six-seat Model Y, and B-Pillar vents for rear passengers. The variant promises a larger, more SUV-like option appealing to U.S. buyers seeking a full-sized or larger-than-Model-Y vehicle. Elon Musk stated U.S. production won't start until the end of next year and suggested the Model Y L might never arrive in the U.S. because of the advent of self-driving. The Robovan represents a different, larger vehicle concept but likely remains years away due to missing controls and required Full Self-Driving, manufacturing, and regulatory hurdles.

Read at TESLARATI