New Leaks Push First Refreshed Project Highland Tesla Model 3 Deliveries to September

Tesla first unveiled the Model 3 back in 2016. At the time, The vehicle was a smashing hit for the EV maker. Tesla raked in $14 billion worth of preorders in less than a week since the vehicle’s introduction. 

The Model 3's design was universally applauded with automotive veterans declaring it as the most aesthetically pleasing Tesla. Add to this the vehicle’s tech and performance, then the Model 3 launch was one for the history books.

And when it finally started deliveries a year later, the Model 3 not only met expectations but exceeded them. The vehicle quickly became by far the best-selling EV and topped the leaderboards for both premium sedan and SUV sales.

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To say the least, the Model 3 has been an absolute success for Tesla. Having said that, the vehicle has also not seen any major upgrades over the past 7 years, and in 2023, the Model 3 is starting to show its age.

For example, the vehicle lacks some of the most advanced features such as front and rear giga castings and structural packs that are currently shipping with its bigger brother the Model Y.

The exterior of the Model 3, although beautiful in a simplistic and timeless manner, after 7 years, the vehicle now appears to be overdue for a redesign.

And for those of us looking forward to a more comprehensive Model 3 update, the wait doesn’t appear as though it will be too long.

For several months now, there have been reports claiming that Tesla is working on a refreshed Model 3 under the codename Project Highland. This rumor first appeared on November 2022 when Reuters reported Tesla is readying a refresh to the Model 3.

Reuters said it received the information from 4 individuals with knowledge of Tesla’s plans. Besides revealing Tesla’s internal codename for the Model 3 refresh is project “Highland”, Reuters has also added some details regarding the changes coming to the Model 3.

At the time Reuters stated “One focus of the redesign codenamed "Highland" is to reduce the number of components and complexity in the interior of the Model 3 while focusing on features that Tesla buyers value, including the display, according to the people, who asked not to be named because the revamp has not been announced.”

According to several leaks, the Project Highland update is expected to introduce front and rear castings to the Model 3; change the design of the headlights to match that of the 2nd Gen Roadster; add ventilated seats; add a second screen for rear passengers; and introduce performance upgrades.

All these improvements coming to the Model 3 is certainly exciting however, one negative point for Model 3 buyers and Tesla enthusiasts is the deluge of conflicting information that is coming out regarding the production status of the project Highland Model 3.

These claims range from worldwide that Tesla has already fully transitioned to producing the refreshed Model 3, to Tesla has only transitioned to Highland Model 3 in China, to Tesla is producing both the old and new Model 3 variants in the same factory cycling between them in 2-day shifts.

The latest leaks that have come out in the last few days have even gone so far as to confirm that, at least in China, Highland Model 3 production has already started. Personally, I have found these leaks hard to swallow given the fact that despite the numerous drone flyovers over Giga Shanghai there hasn’t been a single spotted refreshed Model 3.

In addition, at the Q2 earnings call, Elon Musk confirmed that in Q3, vehicle production will slightly go down due to expected factory upgrades that will shut down Tesla plants worldwide. 

Everyone expects the factory closures to be for Highland Model 3 upgrades, however, Tesla has yet to halt Model 3 production at any of its factories. This suggests the introduction of a refreshed Model 3 is highly unlikely.

And today, we received a new report from Bloomberg that pushes the start of Highland Model 3 production in Giga Shanghai to next month. Bloomberg quoting insider sources wrote, “Mass production of Tesla Inc.’s revamped Model 3 may start in China as soon as next month, people familiar with the matter said, just as the US automaker kicks off another round of price cuts on some current models.”

Bloomberg also added, “The electric-car maker is in the final stages of producing display vehicles, which will be shipped to Tesla showrooms later in August, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information isn’t public.”

Bloomberg’s timing for when we should expect Tesla to start the first deliveries of the Highland Model 3 seems more accurate given the fact that there is yet no concrete evidence to support earlier claims that Tesla has already started refreshed Model 3 production at Giga Shanghai.

This information might be disappointing for those who had hopped that Tesla has somehow pulled off a major Model 3 upgrade without even stopping current Model 3 production, however, the wait shouldn’t still be too long as luckily Bloomberg’s new report only pushes out Highland Model 3 production by a few more weeks.

We will be sure to keep you posted on the ongoing saga of the Model 3 refresh. Until then, make sure to visit our site torquenews.com/Tesla regularly for the latest updates.

So what do you think? Disappointed to learn that Tesla has yet to start Highland Model 3 production? Also, do you think the refreshed Model 3 will start production in September? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Image: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

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Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and The evolution of the EV space on a daily basis for several years. He covers everything about Tesla from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.