Tesla Fremont Factory Starts to Produce ‘Refreshed’ Model 3

Tesla has refreshed its Model 3 with some changes to the car's exterior, interior, and possibly elsewhere.

We have previously received reports from some North American owners that their Model 3s differ in frunk and headlights. Several updated Model 3s were also delivered to Europe, and made in China Model 3 was said to have received a number of changes.

Now, Tesla enthusiast @WholeMarsBlog/Twitter has taken pictures of the refreshed Model 3 in Fremont. The production date of the car is October 8.

pic.twitter.com/LKYCzVLnli

— Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) October 9, 2020

New center console pic.twitter.com/uxiwr53ES2

— Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) October 9, 2020

In the shots, you can clearly see that the frame around the windows and door handles are no longer chrome. The sides of the center console are covered in vegan leather with stitching, instead of the plastic sidewalls that came before. Also spotted was a Model 3 with a steering wheel on the right side, which is likely an indicator of where it will be delivered.

Tesla tracker Veda Prime claims that, according to the label, this car will be shipped to Australia or New Zealand. At the bottom of the label, we can see the mark, Japan, but Veda Prime claims that this is not proof that this Model 3 will be sent to Japan. Based on his experience, he sticks to the assertion that the electric vehicle will be sent to Australia or New Zealand.

This #tesla in Fremont will be a Model 3 LR heading to Australia or New Zealand

It is a 2021 vin. Build Date 8th October
Also confirms this out of Fremont, not China

Has new centre console and chrome delete #model3au #model3nz https://t.co/NdvZvbBHg4

— VedaPrime (@VedaPrime) October 9, 2020

In mid-September, @Tesla__Mania/Twitter posted that there is a list of changes that will surely please future Model 3 owners. However, he clarified that these changes are for the Model 3 made in China.

He listed the following updates:

• New steering wheel
• Center console 2.0
• New headlights and tail lights
• Power lift trunk
• Chrome delete
• Octovalve
• Double-layer glass for better noise isolation

We can see some of these improvements on the Model 3 made at Fremont.

At the end of August, news broke that a Model 3 had been produced with a slightly smaller frunk from those previously made. The width has been reduced, and it also appears to be deeper than the original design. The bigger change, though, is to the top of the frunk (where the grocery hooks had been). The plastic molding now extends much further into the frunk, giving more space behind and underneath it.

The extra space gained behind the front panel indicated that Tesla could soon introduce new components that were designed and deployed in Model Y. In particular, Model Y received an updated air conditioning system, heat pump, and octovalve.

In addition, some of the Model 3s produced in August received new headlights and hinted that a power trunk could be coming. There is now a rumor that Model 3 will indeed receive a number of these changes, and more.

 

On September 14th, Tesmanian exclusively reported that the updated Model 3 is already being produced at Fremont. Our anonymous source reported that several Model 3s with a heat pump and octovalve are already in Tilburg. All cars were produced at the Fremont factory.

Exclusive: Several Model 3 with Heat Pump & Octovalve Produced at Fremont Delivered to Tilburghttps://t.co/dbsvC3rN9y

— Tesmanian.com (@Tesmanian_com) September 14, 2020

Based on the facts, Tesla is already producing Model 3 with upgrades and new technologies. Most likely, the company will make relevant announcements and clarifications soon, possibly during the Earnings Call for Q3 2020.

© 2020, Eva Fox. All rights reserved.

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Article edited by @SmokeyShorts, you can follow him on Twitter

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