Last week, Tesla introduced its Model 3 Highland EV in China and various other markets.
North America was not included in the initial release, although Tesla has not given an official explanation for this omission. However, industry watchers have gathered some insights into when the Model 3 Highland North American launch is likely to occur.
Following the launch, Drive Tesla reported that the Highland would not be available in North America this year. An internal communication revealed that the release date for Canada and the US is expected to be sometime in 2024, without offering a specific date.
One of the primary factors contributing to the delay appears to be divergent regional requirements. Vehicles destined for China and Europe may need to be modified slightly before they can satisfy Canadian and American regulatory requirements.
However, the anticipated changes are not likely to significantly alter the overall appearance and feel of the car upon its North American debut.
Another possible cause for the delay is the ongoing completion of crash tests for North American Highlands. According to third-party companion app Teslascope, which has a track record of providing reliable information on Project Highland, these tests should be concluded before the end of October.
Assuming that all goes according to plan, it’s anticipated that the Model 3 will make its way to North American markets by early 2024.
In Canada, the vehicles will be imported from Giga Shanghai. US Highlands will be made at Tesla’s factory in Fremont, California.
The Fremont factory will need to be upgraded to produce the Model 3 Highland. The necessary factory upgrades are set to be finalized by the end of September.
