Rumor has it that Tesla is about to begin test-production of the Model 3 Highland, which is the much-anticipated refresh of the popular Model 3. This update has been a long time coming, and automotive enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting news of its release. While we don’t know when the refreshed Model 3 will be available, reports out of China indicate that test-production may begin as soon as June of this year.
Rumors of the Model 3 refresh first surfaced in November of last year, with reports indicating that Tesla was planning to make the Model 3 more attractive to customers while also reducing production costs. The focus was said to be on non-visible changes, but sightings of Model 3s with covered front and rear ends suggest that there may be some more noticeable design changes on the horizon.
Recently, a photo was leaked of a covered Model 3 in a Tesla factory that showed off a sleeker design with new headlights. And, just a few weeks later, a sketch of the rear-end refresh was posted by a German Tesla fan. These sightings, along with the rumored production of the Model 3 Highland, indicate that the update is indeed coming soon.
According to reports out of China, employees at the local Tesla Gigafactory have been instructed not to bring their phones to work starting in June. This suggests that test-production of the Model 3 Highland will begin then, though it’s unclear when it will transition into full-scale production. Reuters had previously reported that Tesla was planning to begin production of the refreshed Model 3 in China in the third quarter of this year, which would coincide with the rumored June start of testing.
While we don’t know exactly when the updated Model 3 will hit the market, these reports suggest that it’s closer than ever. With the refresh expected to make the Model 3 more attractive to buyers and less expensive to produce, this could be a significant development for Tesla and electric vehicle enthusiasts alike.