Tesla Model 3 has reportedly been updated and is in pre-production in China

The Tesla Model 3 has been on sale for years without a significant overhaul, but we’ve been hearing whispers and seeing spy shots of an alleged facelifted model for a while now. CarBuzz dug up a recent report from the Chinese publication JRJ that suggests the wait for a new Model 3 could almost be over. The outlet claims that pre-production has begun, and customer deliveries could kick off as early as October 2023.

The car in this image has a different nose and headlights. And according to JRJ, Tesla’s new car, codenamed Highland, will sport a 66 kWh battery from CATL, a Chinese company that controls a massive portion of the global battery market. The batteries are said to use a novel mix of iron, aluminum, and other metals that combine to produce a more energy-dense battery with a longer service life. CATL’s involvement likely also means a price reduction for components in Tesla’s supply chain, which could help keep MSRPs from ballooning.

JRJ suggests that the new Model 3 could come with a price as low as 200,000 yuan, or around $28,000. That significantly undercuts the cheapest Model 3 in the U.S., which currently sells for just over $40,000.