Earlier this week, Tesla quietly stopped selling the least-expensive version of its Model Y SUV, without notice. Now, we know why. In short – the model actually is still for sale. You just have to ask for it.
It’s the Chipotle Quesarito of cars.
In response to a Twitter user’s question, Tesla CEO Elon Musk explained that the Standard Range model is “still available off-menu,” but is no longer advertised because, “I don’t think the range, in many drive conditions, yet meets the Tesla standard of excellence.”
The brief listing on Tesla’s official site said Model Y standard range can go 244-miles range between charges. Introduced in January, it saw a price cut to $43,190 in early February, then disappeared from Tesla’s website days later without explanation. Tesla, unique in the automotive industry, has no public relations department. So, journalists and the public now watch Musk’s Twitter account for product changes and explanations.
The move leaves the Model Y Long Range as Tesla’s least-expensive SUV. It carries an asking price of $48,990 and an advertised range of 326 miles.
The Model Y faces new competition this year, in the form of Ford’s critically-acclaimed Mustang Mach-E EV. It offers similar performance but qualifies for federal tax incentives no longer offered on Tesla cars. The Model Y remains one of America’s best-selling electric vehicles. Four out of the five best-selling EVs in America are Tesla products.
