EV Daily | Tesla's Model Y Juniper Refresh Sparks Design Debate Amidst Major Recall and Settlement

【Tesla】

Tesla has introduced a refreshed Model Y in China, which resembles Xpeng's P7 design. The design similarities have sparked discussions, given Xpeng's history of drawing inspiration from Tesla. Tesla also issued a recall for over 200,000 vehicles due to a self-driving computer failure, addressing the issue with a software and hardware fix. Additionally, Tesla settled a compensation case for nearly $1 billion. The company is conducting 'unsupervised self-driving trials' amidst these developments. The Model S Plaid and Model Y Juniper refresh are priced at over $110,000 and $36,000, respectively, in China.

【BYD】

BYD unveiled the ATTO 2 compact SUV in Europe, a rebranded version of the Yuan Up, with sales starting shortly. It offers a standard 45.1 kWh Blade Battery with a 312 km range, with a larger battery option coming soon. The Han L electric sedan, which could rival the Model S Plaid, features dual motors and a peak power of 580 kW. The Han L is larger than the Model Y and will use BYD's LFP battery pack. Meanwhile, BYD continues to push low-cost EVs like the Seagull in China.

【Xpeng】

Xpeng's founder acknowledged Tesla's influence on their designs, including the Autopilot system and website layout. Xpeng's G7 SUV is emerging as a strong competitor to Tesla's Model Y in China. The company has seen a 34% increase in deliveries, contrasting with Tesla's slight decline.

【Others】

Hyundai's Inster EV, priced at $18,000, is now available in Japan, undercutting BYD's Dolphin. Kia's EV5 electric SUV, launched in 2023 in China, has significantly boosted Kia's sales in the country due to its affordable pricing and extensive range options. The EV5's success points to a full recovery for Kia in the region. Mazda plans to introduce the 6e, a successor to the Mazda 6, in Europe, boasting nearly 350 miles of range. Yadea has launched a new electric motorbike powered by sodium-ion battery technology, promising better performance in range, charging, and safety. This development positions Yadea to influence the broader adoption of sodium-ion batteries in the electric vehicle sector.