While Tesla faces declining sales in China, the electric vehicle maker has submitted plans for a longer version of its Model Y crossover designed specifically for the Chinese market.
The Model Y L measures 4.98 meters long, 1.92 meters wide, and 1.67 meters tall. Its wheelbase stretches to 3.04 meters, which is 15 centimeters longer than the standard Model Y. The vehicle stands 18 centimeters longer and 5 centimeters taller than the regular Model Y Juniper variant.
The extended Model Y L boasts a 3.04-meter wheelbase, adding 15 centimeters over the standard version for enhanced interior space.
Tesla submitted its sales license application to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The company plans to launch the Model Y L in autumn 2025, with production exclusively at its Giga Shanghai factory.
The longer version features a six-seat configuration instead of the previous cramped seven-seater arrangement. The extended wheelbase specifically targets improved third-row seating space. The curved roof arch stretches higher in the rear, creating a profile that resembles the Model X.
Tesla’s sales in China dropped 17.5% during the first half of 2025, with approximately 172,000 units sold. The decline likely stems from intensifying competition from domestic Chinese EV manufacturers.
The new rear-wheel-drive Long Range Model Y variant should deliver over 800 kilometers of range under China’s CLTC testing system. This rating system typically produces higher estimates than America’s EPA protocols. For comparison, the standard Model Y Long Range achieves 327 miles under EPA testing.
Tesla’s strategy mirrors approaches used by Western manufacturers who create China-specific variants with longer wheelbases. The six-seat configuration targets Chinese families who prefer additional seating capacity. This localization effort responds to identifiable consumer preferences in the Chinese market.
The Model Y L represents part of Tesla’s broader effort to maintain its industry leadership position against growing competition from Chinese EV makers. Tesla also plans a separate China-exclusive drive variant for the Model 3 in the future. China is expected to account for 65% of global electric vehicle sales in 2024, underscoring the strategic importance of this market for Tesla’s future growth. The Model Y L will face competition from vehicles like the Onvo L90, BYD Tang L, and Li Auto i8 in the five-meter class segment.
No export plans exist for the long-wheelbase Model Y variant. The front-end design maintains the same appearance as current Model Y variants.