The Tesla Model 2, the End of All Other EV's
There has been speculation that Tesla will release a more affordable hatchback, the "Model 2". So far, this hasn't happened. And, according to Tesla's Master Plan Part 2, the following statement was said:
"A lower cost vehicle than the Model 3 is unlikely to be necessary, because of the third part of the plan described below"
The Third Part of Tesla's Master Plan Part 2
This third part of Tesla's Master Plan part 2 is for Tesla to continue to increase its manufacturing capabilities with its existing vehicles and to expand to the Tesla Semi and Tesla CyberTruck. This Master Plan doesn't mention the Model Y, but I believe the Model Y is the future compact SUV mentioned in the plan.
The Master Plan part 2 also includes autonomy and having your car make money for you when you aren't using it. And lastly, it includes building stunning solar roofs with seamless integration of battery storage.
So... where is the Model 2 then?
A Vehicle to Address All Major Segments
Even though the plan mentions that a cheaper vehicle than the Model 3 won't be necessary, I believe that this statement is false. At the end of the plan, Elon Musk says this:
"Expand the electric vehicle product line to address all major segments"
The missing segment right now is a compact car, like the Toyota Corolla. Something that is cheap - between $15,000 and $25,000. In order for Tesla to address all major segments, it is going to have to build a compact vehicle. If Tesla doesn't do this, someone else is going to do it and if that someone reaches level 5 autonomy, Tesla could find its Achilles heel and weakness.
This is why I think Tesla will announce a compact car of some kind, which so far is rumored to be the "Model 2". Because the market is so vast for this type of vehicle, and many more millions of people will be able to afford a vehicle at this cost.
When Will We Hear About the Model 2?
I don't think we will hear about the Model 2 until near the end of 2022. The reason for this is by that time, Giga Berlin and Giga TX (Austin) will be online and producing cars, including the CyberTruck, and all the kinks and bugs from those processes will likely be fixed. At that point, Tesla as a company will start to have the bandwidth to mass produce a compact vehicle, the Model 2.
I think this timeline makes sense - the reason being is that level 5 Autonomy is still at least a few years away. By the time Tesla gets to a point it is able to mass produce its Model 2, level 5 Autonomy will start to happen and it will be the perfect time for inexpensive Robotaxis to start flooding the streets of the world.
When Tesla starts to mass product its Model 2, it is going to be the end of most other electric vehicles. The reason is that Tesla will be able to make the best performing, most efficient, and safest compact car in the world that will be able to drive around as a robotaxi with level 5 autonomy. Nothing can compete with this as Tesla has a staggering technological advantage over everyone.
What do you think about the possibility of Tesla producing an affordable compact vehicle? Will it be named the Model 2? Will Tesla announce this sometime before the end of 2022?