May 14 2025 – Tesla has remained tight-lipped about its “more affordable vehicle” slated for production in the first half of 2025. However, recent aerial footage captured by long-time observers of the Giga Texas factory in the Lone Star State has revealed a mysterious test vehicle on the premises.
Joe Tegtmeyer, a drone operator who has been keeping a close eye on Giga Texas, took to the X social platform to share his discovery of a unique test car within the factory’s vicinity. Notably, the vehicle was concealed under a car cover, clearly lacking body panels and a roof. Despite this, its silhouette bore a striking resemblance to the Model Y, even featuring the same wheels as the Model Y. Yet, its overall dimensions were more compact compared to another Model Y parked nearby.
This isn’t the first time such a test vehicle has been spotted. Last month, a similar test car was also seen at the Fremont factory in California. Tesla enthusiast “Met God in Wilderness,” who has been sharing aerial footage of the Fremont factory for years, captured an image of the test vehicle during a drone flight in mid-April. The car, also a compact crossover, was parked alongside fully assembled Model Y and Model S vehicles and similarly lacked a roof and body panels.
In its first-quarter update report for 2025, Tesla stated that “the new vehicle program, including the more affordable model, remains on track for production to commence in the first half of 2025.” During the first-quarter earnings call, Lars Moravy, Tesla’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, indicated that Tesla’s affordable model would resemble the company’s existing vehicles but at a more budget-friendly price point.
Moravy’s remarks suggest that Tesla’s affordable model—unofficially dubbed “Model 2 or Model Q” by electric vehicle enthusiasts—will closely resemble the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover in terms of appearance. “The models launching in the coming months will be manufactured on our production lines and will share similarities in shape and appearance with the cars we currently produce. The crucial point is that they will be more affordable and accessible to consumers,” Moravy stated.
Based on the current indicators, it appears that Tesla’s “affordable vehicle” has entered the testing phase, with its design and production plans progressing steadily.
