Tesla will begin production of the refreshed Model Y, codenamed Juniper, in January, domestic media reported today. In addition to the facelifted 5-seater SUV, Giga Shanghai will deliver a three-row 6-seater Model Y in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The report didn’t elaborate on the upcoming 6-seater version of Model Y. According to our information, it will have a similar layout to Model X, meaning two rows of captain chairs and a third-row bench for additional seating, a source within Giga Shanghai told CarNewsChina.

In September, Reuters reported that Tesla intends to start manufacturing a six-seat Model Y in China by late 2025. The company has reportedly asked its suppliers to prepare for a substantial increase in Model Y production at its Shanghai plant, targeting double-digit growth.

The facelifted Model Y will receive updates similar to those made to the Model 3 Highland, LatePost reports. These enhancements include changes to the interior and exterior design, improvements to battery capacity and motor performance, and upgrades to Tesla’s self-driving technology.

Giga Shanghai is Tesla’s largest factory, with an annual production capacity of around one million vehicles. The plant produces the Model 3 and Model Y, currently five-seat models. The factory began operations in late 2019, and local production of the Model 3 started in January 2020, followed by the Model Y in early 2021.

Tesla Model Y is far more popular than Model 3 in China. In 2024 (Jan – Nov), the US automaker delivered 418,428 Model Y SUVs in China, up 5.6% from last year. Model 3 sedan delivered 155,747 units in 2024 so far.

Tesla Model Y is responsible for 73% of tesla’s sales in China in 2024 (Jan – Nov).