Is The Tesla Model 3 A Road Map For The Model Y And Future Vehicles?

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Earlier this year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk surprised the world with the announcement that after the Tesla Model 3, there would be a Model Y. The Y, which will be built on the Model 3 platform, could be accompanied by a Tesla pickup truck, a semi, and minibus, according to Musk.

Tesla Model 3 and beyond

Over the years it has become apparent that Musk doesn’t set firm dates when it comes to setting his plans into motion. However, he does know how to take what may seem like lofty goals to others and turn them into reality.

At the end of November, various media outlets began reporting that Tesla was on the move, and the action could be directly related to what will be coming after the Tesla Model 3. Fan website Teslarati discovered new job openings posted on the company’s website and claimed that the jobs point to future Tesla vehicles hinted at by Musk.

Is The Tesla Model 3 A Road Map For The Model Y And Future Vehicles?

Future vehicle design

Having taken a look at the job openings ourselves, we can confirm that they are vague. While several positions are open, they all have one common theme, which is design, and all of them are located at the company’s design studio in Hawthorne. Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen and the designers who created the Tesla Model 3, X, and S are all based there.

Furthermore, the job descriptions do not mention the names of the models under development. So with the Model 3 having already gone through its design phase, these positions must be for future Tesla vehicles. Additionally, Teslarati believes that the automaker has been actively working with its suppliers to determine what it needs for future production. So the jobs that have been posted are probably not for the Tesla Model 3. However, they could indicate a movement towards the Model Y.

Design roles at Tesla

Do you have design experience in the automotive industry? Does the thought of working on what comes after the Tesla Model 3 excite you? After all, you’d possibly be working towards completing Tesla’s S-E-X-Y line up and probably helping advance its reputation as a premium electric car manufacturer. The open positions are:

SR. Exterior Designer:

“As a Senior Exterior Designer at Tesla, you will be responsible for the exterior design development of future Tesla vehicles. You will be part of the team that creates and executes world-class exteriors regarding form, function, and luxury.”

“Using your considerable production design experience and innovative thinking, you will primarily be tasked with creating designs for future cars, but may also be called upon for other design tasks (interior, product, etc.) based on your skillset.”

SR. Interior Designer:

“As a Senior Interior Designer at Tesla, you will be responsible for the interior design development of future Tesla vehicles. You will be part of the team that creates and executes world-class interiors including form, function, and luxury.”

“Using your considerable production design experience and innovative thinking, you will primarily be tasked with creating designs for future cars, but may also be called upon for other design tasks (exterior, product, etc.whilst) based on your skillset.”

SR. Human Factors & Ergonomics Engineer:

“The successful candidate will have a proven track record of excellence and a thorough working knowledge of occupant packaging, human factors, ergonomics, and engineering design. Key objectives will be to achieve high spatial efficiency and excellent argon while meeting all relevant legislative requirements. He/she will be a natural problem solver, intuitive 3D thinker, able CATIA V5 user, and capable of taking responsibility for the complete occupant package and ergonomic performance of future production vehicles.”

Tesla’s expectations

Going back to Musk’s announcement earlier in the year, to say it came as a surprise is an understatement. He’s known for playing his cards close to his chest and doesn’t often reveal his plans so far ahead of time. However, regarding future Tesla vehicles, he has chosen a different approach which may target investors, aiming to keep them interested and the company’s stock price high.

Having experienced success in the electric vehicle market, Musk has gone as far as laying out his expectations for the Model Y. He hopes that Tesla can sell between 500,000 and 1 million units in 2017, with continued growth for future models. With these increased sales, it sees itself capturing a much larger piece of what is still a small but emerging market. However, to do so, it will need the $5 billion Gigafactory currently under construction in Nevada to be completed on time.

It goes without saying that the electric car is going to reshape transportation for the remaining years of this century. But will Tesla remain one of the top manufacturers? That depends on what Musk and his team do now and over the next few years because affordability, reliability, and mileage will all play a part in how its market share develops

 

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