Tesla’s ‘Budget’ Model Y: No Leather, No Radio, No Chill
In an exquisite display of cutting corners that still costs $39,990, Tesla unveiled its Model Y Standard and Model 3 Standard to Chinese critics wielding Weibo like a verdict hammer. Launched for October 2025, these budget variants drop essentials like leather seats, a radio, a rear passenger screen, and Autopilot's Autosteer – apparently, autonomy is now a luxury. Pricing at about 230,000 yuan, they’re only about 10% cheaper than posh siblings, sparking cries of 'beggar’s version.' Locals scoff, preferring Li Auto’s Li i6 for a mere 10,000 yuan extra – apparently status and actual options matter more than a sheer Tesla badge. Tesla’s sales slid 12% in Q2 2025 in China, and shares slipped 4.4%. Meanwhile, Elon Musk confesses demand is high but wallets are empty. Brutal price wars with 100 competitors make Tesla's 'affordable' feel like the automotive version of eating salad at a steakhouse.
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Tesla's idea of affordable in China is trimming leather and radios but keeping a $40k price tag. It's the automotive equivalent of a fancy burger with no patty—still pricey, significantly less satisfying.
Tesla’s 'cheap' Model Y in China is missing leather and Autosteer but demands near-luxury prices. It’s like selling treadmill running lessons with no treadmill, hoping you’ll still pay up.
Chinese buyers want value, but Tesla’s lineup screams 'luxury minimalist'—a phone with no apps but still $40,000. That’s not a car, it’s an expensive question.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 10/8/2025 | Author: Kwan Wei Kevin Tan
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