{"id":82697,"date":"2025-05-30T21:56:29","date_gmt":"2025-05-31T01:56:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=82697"},"modified":"2025-05-30T21:56:29","modified_gmt":"2025-05-31T01:56:29","slug":"tesla-prototype-spotted-factory-sparking-speculation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=82697","title":{"rendered":"Tesla prototype spotted at factory \u2013 sparking speculation"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"img-border featured-image\">\n\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"1600\" height=\"799\" src=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Tesla-Prototype-spotted.png?w=1600\" class=\"skip-lazy wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Tesla-Prototype-spotted.png?w=320&amp;quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Tesla-Prototype-spotted.png?w=640&amp;quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Tesla-Prototype-spotted.png?w=1024&amp;quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Tesla-Prototype-spotted.png?w=1500&amp;quality=82&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>A Tesla prototype was spotted at the Fremont factory in California, sparking speculation that it\u2019s the new \u201ccheaper Tesla\u201d, but it looks like a regular Model Y.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"more-418445\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A drone operator flew over the Fremont factory this week and spotted a Tesla prototype with light camouflage on the front and back ends.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed alignwide is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<iframe id=\"post-youtube-video-1\" title=\"Tesla Fremont 05\/29\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3FyI1akxRHg?feature=oembed&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\">[embedded content]<\/iframe>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The vehicle is making a lot of people talk on social media and the media as many think it could be a new \u201caffordable model\u201d coming to Tesla.<\/p>\n<p>Other than the camouflage, the vehicle looks just like a regular Model Y:<\/p>\n<p>\t<span class=\"outbrain-ad-label\">Advertisement &#8211; scroll for more content<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1646\" height=\"1050\" src=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.23.25\u202fAM.png?w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-418470\" srcset=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.23.25\u202fAM.png 1646w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.23.25\u202fAM.png?resize=150,96 150w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.23.25\u202fAM.png?resize=300,191 300w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.23.25\u202fAM.png?resize=768,490 768w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.23.25\u202fAM.png?resize=1024,653 1024w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.23.25\u202fAM.png?resize=1536,980 1536w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.23.25\u202fAM.png?resize=350,223 350w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.23.25\u202fAM.png?resize=140,89 140w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.23.25\u202fAM.png?resize=1568,1000 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1646px) 100vw, 1646px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>It\u2019s likely one of two things: a new \u201cstripped-down Model Y\u201d or a Model Y Performance.<\/p>\n<p>Model Y Performance is the only version that Tesla hasn\u2019t launched since the design changeover earlier this year.<\/p>\n<p>The \u201cstripped-down Model Y\u201d is what will replace Tesla\u2019s upcoming \u201caffordable models.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>We have been reporting on this new vehicle program from Tesla for a while now.<\/p>\n<p>It came to life just over a year ago as a pivot for Tesla after CEO Elon Musk canceled two cheaper vehicles that Tesla was working on, commonly referred as \u201cthe $25,000 Tesla\u201d. Those vehicles were\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/2024\/04\/15\/tesla-puts-electric-car-codenamed-nv9-back-burner-despite-elon-musk-said\/\">codenamed NV91 and NV92<\/a>, and they were based on the new vehicle platform that Tesla is now reserving for the Cybercab.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, Musk saw that Tesla\u2019s Model 3 and Model Y production lines were starting to be underutilized as Tesla faced demand issues. Therefore, Tesla canceled the vehicles program based on the new platform and decided to build new vehicles on Model 3\/Y platform using the same production lines.<\/p>\n<p>We previously reported that these electric vehicles will likely look very similar to Model 3 and Model Y.<\/p>\n<p>In recent months, several other media reports reinforced that, and Tesla all but confirmed it during its latest earnings call.<\/p>\n<p>Considering this looks like a regular Model Y, it could be the new cheaper and less feature rich Model Y:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1826\" height=\"1094\" src=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.46.57\u202fAM.png?w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-418486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.46.57\u202fAM.png 1826w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.46.57\u202fAM.png?resize=150,90 150w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.46.57\u202fAM.png?resize=300,180 300w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.46.57\u202fAM.png?resize=768,460 768w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.46.57\u202fAM.png?resize=1024,614 1024w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.46.57\u202fAM.png?resize=1536,920 1536w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.46.57\u202fAM.png?resize=350,210 350w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.46.57\u202fAM.png?resize=130,78 130w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.46.57\u202fAM.png?resize=140,84 140w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.46.57\u202fAM.png?resize=1600,959 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1826px) 100vw, 1826px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>Some people are claiming that this vehicle looks smaller than the Model Y, but it\u2019s difficult to tell as the black camouflage on the ends can confuse the eye. <\/p>\n<p>It looks like a very similar size when it passes near other Tesla vehicles:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2566\" height=\"1118\" src=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.49.15\u202fAM.png?w=1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-418489\" srcset=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.49.15\u202fAM.png 2566w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.49.15\u202fAM.png?resize=150,65 150w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.49.15\u202fAM.png?resize=300,131 300w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.49.15\u202fAM.png?resize=768,335 768w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.49.15\u202fAM.png?resize=1024,446 1024w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.49.15\u202fAM.png?resize=1536,669 1536w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.49.15\u202fAM.png?resize=2048,892 2048w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.49.15\u202fAM.png?resize=350,152 350w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.49.15\u202fAM.png?resize=140,61 140w, https:\/\/electrek.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-10.49.15\u202fAM.png?resize=1600,697 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2566px) 100vw, 2566px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>What do you think it is? Let us know in the comment section below.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-disclaimer-container\" readability=\"6.3518518518519\">\n<p class=\"disclaimer-affiliate\"><em>FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/electrek.co\/about\/#affiliate\">More.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- post ad --><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Tesla prototype was spotted at the Fremont factory in California, sparking speculation that it\u2019s the new \u201ccheaper Tesla\u201d, but it looks like a regular Model Y. A drone operator flew over the Fremont factory this week and spotted a Tesla prototype with light camouflage on the front and back ends. [embedded content] The vehicle [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8313,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-82697","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-e-cars"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82697","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=82697"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82697\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=82697"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=82697"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=82697"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}