Tesla’s Model Y refresh - codenamed Juniper - is the source of a lot of rumors. It is also one of the most hotly anticipated vehicle refreshes ever. Given that it’s been the best-selling vehicle globally for several years now, this should come as no surprise.
We did some investigation into all the different things we’ve heard recently - and we’ll give you our take. We spent some time diving deep into some of the Chinese sources that reported all of these different details, so we’re hoping to get as close as possible to the truth.
Production Starting in January
LatePost, a media outlet from Shanghai, recently reported on the departure of Song Gang, director of Tesla’s Shanghai factory. This report said that the Model Y Juniper would go into production next month — January 2025.
This seems in line with previous news we’ve heard - namely that Giga Shanghai was reducing Model Y production capacity to run a prototype line of the Model Y. It seems that Giga Shanghai won’t need as much time to retool as with the Model 3 Highland, as Highland and Juniper likely share many similarities.
Additionally, this matches the same timeline for the Model 3 Highland’s launch, where Tesla launched it in China first and then later launched it in Europe and North America once Giga Shanghai worked out all the kinks in production. While the Highland 3 began shipping in October 2023, we feel like we can expect the first ship date for the Juniper Y to begin sometime in Q1.
Front and Rear Lightbar
This is one of the most credible rumors we’ve seen - and it makes sense. We’ve seen photos of the Model Y Juniper that’s covered up, and most of them have front and rear lightbars - or what looks like lightbars, anyway. We’re pretty sure the vehicle will arrive with lightbars on both ends, and it’ll be just as visually striking as the Cybertruck and Cybercab.
We love Tesla’s lean into the Cyber aesthetic, especially given the slick new style of the Cybercab that was shown off at this year’s We, Robot. Given the Model Y is more of a mass-market vehicle that needs to appeal to everyone, we’re sure that Tesla is going to strike a fine balance between futuristic and modern. It’ll definitely be a vehicle that turns heads.
We’ve also heard plenty of stuff on performance upgrades, which are also likely to be true. The Model 3 Highland saw a fairly big boost in performance, even for the Rear Wheel Drive and Long Range Variants. The Performance variant saw a ludicrous uplift, and we’re hoping to see the same pan out for Juniper.
4th Gen Motors
Some reports have mentioned that Tesla will introduce a fourth-gen motor with Juniper - but we think this is relatively unlikely. The Model 3 Highland and the Model Y Juniper are expected to share many parts, and the motors will likely be one of them.
This similarity in parts helps Tesla scale and offer cheaper prices to customers around the world. Changing to a new motor would eliminate one of the biggest advantages provided by having Model 3 and Model Y production in the same facility.
We’d instead expect any motor improvements to launch quietly, similar to how Tesla normally does under-the-hood hardware changes. We’ll see a number updated on their site, and until the first vehicle ships with a new motor, we won’t even know it's there.
95kWh Battery
We’re not sure that any version of a Model Y will get a 95kWh battery. The Long Range variant currently ships with a 75kWh battery, with a range of approximately 310 miles. A 95kWh battery could potentially push that range closer to 350-375 miles, but we’d see diminishing returns from the additional weight.
Instead, we could potentially see Tesla using the new Cybercell or one of its new battery variants that it has been exploring - either the CATL 6M packs that we’ve heard about or one of the new and mysterious NC20 cells. We did mention that we don’t believe Tesla will shift to new motors, but Tesla has previously shipped the Model Y with 4680 cells, so we could potentially see them shipping the Juniper Y with a different battery other than the current 2170 packs in the Model 3.
However, Tesla is still focusing on scaling the Cybercell at Giga Texas for the Cybertruck, and they’ve previously mentioned that they don’t want to take away production from the Cybertruck’s line to use the cell in the Tesla Semi - which is still running on the older 2170 cell. As such, its likely the Juniper will ship using the same 2170 or LFP packs that the Model 3 Highland currently utilizes.
A Juniper concept from @DominicBRNKMN on X
@DominicBRNKMN on X
Bigger, Better, Tiltable Screen
Another set of reports mentioned that Juniper would receive a larger screen with a higher resolution and the ability to tilt — very similar to the Model S and Model X. Consider this one to unlikely. Tesla has previously said they want to simplify parts of the vehicle that people don’t use - and the Cybertruck, Tesla’s current flagship vehicle, shipped with the biggest display to date and didn’t include the ability to tilt the screen.
Using the same argument earlier on the parts compatibility between the Highland and Juniper, we fully expect the refreshed Model Y to arrive with the same screen as the Model 3 Highland, but we’d be happy to be surprised.
6 Seater Variant
LatePost’s report also mentioned that a 6-seat variant of the Model Y would begin production in late 2025. This lines up smoothly with Reuters’ report on the 6-seat variant, which could potentially be exclusive to China. Reuters mentioned that the 7-seat Model Y was fairly unpopular in China, as the third row was cramped, although Chinese families liked the idea of having at least 6 seats.
We’d expect this 6-seat variant to launch in late 2025, sometime after the expected Late Spring/Early Summer launch of the Juniper’s performance variant.
That’s everything we know about the Model Y Juniper so far. In short, production could start as early as next month, with front and rear lightbars, performance upgrades, and a 6-seat variant later down the line. We wouldn’t expect new generation motors, a different battery, or even a fancier screen.
In a new video posted to X, Tesla is showing the progress of its first Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cell manufacturing factory in North America. The facility, located in Sparks, Nevada, will be used to produce LFP battery cells for Megapacks and Powerwall.
However, the implications of this new factory extend beyond Tesla Energy. By on-shoring the production of these cost-effective batteries, Tesla is not only securing its energy supply chain but also opening the door to potentially reintroducing LFP-based vehicles in North America.
Nearing completion of our first LFP cell manufacturing factory in North America pic.twitter.com/OLNRWajz4l
The immediate beneficiary of the new Nevada LFP facility is Tesla’s Energy division. LFP chemistry is ideal for stationary storage products like Megapack and Powerwall. It offers a very long life cycle, is extremely thermally stable and safe, and is significantly cheaper to produce than nickel-based batteries, partly because it contains no cobalt.
Until now, Tesla has relied on suppliers like CATL in China for these cells. A dedicated, domestic supply will enable Tesla to dramatically ramp up Megapack production to meet North America’s increasing demand for grid-scale energy. On the other hand, Megafactory Shanghai continues to utilize CATL’s LFP batteries and will support the rest of the world.
Tesla first revealed that they were planning to onshore LFP production in North America at the Q1 2025 Earnings Call, which will help them avoid costs, innovate in new technology, and insulate themselves from geopolitical supply chain risks.
A Potential Return for LFP Vehicles?
Another exciting application for Tesla is what this new factory means for Tesla’s budget-oriented lineup. For years, Tesla has been constrained in its ability to offer LFP-based vehicles in North America. While LFP packs are used in other markets for specific standard-range RWD vehicles, tariffs on important Chinese cells made it difficult to import these cells for use in North America.
With a domestic supply of LFP cells produced in Nevada, this tariff-related barrier will be mostly eliminated, pending the sourcing of lithium from a North American site. This is likely to lead to the reintroduction of LFP-based vehicles to the North American market, possibly in late 2026 or 2027.
An American-made LFP pack could lead to a more affordable base Model 3 or Model Y, or potentially help Tesla cut costs on the next-generation Affordable Model even further. This helps to give customers a lower-cost entry point without sacrificing a lot of range, and with the added benefit of being able to regularly charge to 100%.
Mega Nevada
With Mega Nevada now progressing well, Tesla is in an excellent position to continue iterating on its vertical integration and scaling Megapack and Powerwall—two of Tesla’s fastest-growing businesses—further. There are tons of benefits for consumers in the future as Tesla continues down this path, with more affordable Powerwalls for the home, cheaper electricity prices thanks to grid-forming Megapacks, and cheaper LFP vehicles.
The next major upgrade for Tesla’s in-car experience is pretty much already here - just hiding beneath the surface, awaiting the flick of a switch. According to new details uncovered by Tesla hacker Greentheonly, a fully functional version of the Grok conversational AI assistant is already present in recent firmware builds, just waiting for Tesla to activate it.
The feature, which is currently behind a server-side switch, could be enabled at any time by Tesla for vehicles running update 2025.20 and newer. The findings provide a better picture of what we already learned from Green’s breakdown on Grok last month.
Grok’s Requirements
@greentheonly on X
According to what Green determined from the latest software builds, the foundation for Grok was laid with update 2025.14, with more abilities and functionality added in 2025.20 to flesh it out. He also determined exactly which vehicles will be receiving Grok.
In terms of hardware, any vehicle with a Ryzen-based infotainment computer will receive Grok. This means that vehicles with the older Intel Atom processor will not be supported, at least initially. The underlying Autopilot hardware is not a factor, as Grok’s processing is not done in-vehicle.
Grok will also require premium connectivity or a Wi-Fi connection for the vehicle. At this point, we’re not sure whether Grok in your Tesla will also require you to sign up for SuperGrok, X Premium, or X Premium+, but Tesla is requiring you to sign into your Grok account. It’s just not clear whether the free version of Grok will work, or if you’ll need the premium version.
Grok User Experience
@greentheonly on X
Green also revealed the user interface for Grok for the first time. You’ll find many of the same features from the Grok app, but surprisingly, it looks like it’ll have a dark UI, even if you’re using light mode in your vehicle.
It appears that there will be a Grok app, likely for settings. However, Grok will largely operate in a modal, similar to voice commands, which are displayed near the bottom left corner of the screen.
There’s an on-screen microphone button, as well as drop-down menus for the voice and type of assistant you’d like to use.
Similar to the Grok app currently on mobile devices, you’ll be able to select from a set of voices and then define their personality. The available voices for now are the standard Ara (Upbeat Female), Rex (Calm Male), and Gork (Lazy Male).
There’s also a settings button, which, when expanded, allows you to enable or disable NSFW mode (including swearing and adult topics), as well as a Kids Mode, which will tone Grok down to be suitable for when kids are in the car.
@greentheonly on X
How Grok Will Work (Button / Wake Word)
Users will be able to activate Grok by pressing a button, likely the same one that activates voice commands today. Grok will then remain enabled for the duration of your conversation, allowing you to go back and forth, asking and answering questions. To end your conversation, you’ll press the mic button again.
While it doesn’t appear to use a wake word yet, Green says that some code refers to a wake word, so it’s possible that this could be an option Tesla plans to activate in the future.
Replacing Voice Commands
The most significant implication of Grok’s future integration is in its potential to fully replace the existing and relatively rigid voice command system. Green notes that internally, this feature is part of the car assist module, and that eventually, the plan is for Grok to take over car control functions.
Unlike the current system, which requires specific phrases, a true conversational AI like Grok can understand natural language. This will enable more intuitive requests, completely changing how drivers interact with their car.
Language Support
@Greentheonly/X
Grok will also launch with multi-language support, similar to its current abilities in the Grok app. Green says that it already appears to have support for English and Chinese and one or two other languages.
Release Date
Grok appears ready to go from a vehicle standpoint, but Green wasn’t able to actually test it out. While development appears to be nearly complete in the vehicle, Tesla and xAI may still be working on some server-side changes to better integrate with the vehicle. If they plan for Grok to replace voice commands on day one, then it’ll need to be trained and be able to execute a variety of vehicle commands.
It’s possible Tesla is actively testing Grok or adding server-side changes to replace voice commands. However, it looks like vehicle development is nearly complete and Grok could launch as soon as the next major Tesla update, which is expected to be update 2025.24.