Tesla will launch a new two-seater Model Y for companies, but only in France. Among other things, it offers more autonomy than the original version. We tell you.
Tesla has just launched a new two-seater, but it can only be obtained in France. In addition, it should be noted that the country has specific tax laws that apply to vehicles with four or more seats but, in this case, Elon Musk's new model does not have to worry about that.
A Model Y for companies and two-seaters
This new vehicle is the Model Y but, as we say, it will not have four or more seats, but rather it will have two. This not only implies a revolutionary change in terms of design but, by eliminating the rear seats, this model would be exempt from the French laws that we mentioned.
It is aimed at companies, so it is a B2B trade (Business to business or, in Spanish, from company to company). Another feature worth highlighting is that this new version offers more autonomy and, in fact, could help the country reduce emissions from diesel vehicles.
The news comes directly from Clément Maguet, Tesla account manager in France. “Tesla has developed a 2-seater Model Y with a storage capacity of 2,158 liters and that offers a range of up to 565 km (WLTP cycle). This model can benefit from the taxation of commercial vehicles,” he stated in a post on LinkedIn.
According to Maguet, some 6.3 million utility vehicles circulate in France and most run on diesel. Both he and Tesla hope the two-seat Model Y will make its way into that market. “This ecological and efficient solution offers an additional alternative to professional mobility, whether for the transport of goods or as an intervention vehicle,” he continued.
Photo by Clément Maguet (LinkedIn)A tour of the French country
In France, most vehicles are subject to a 20% tax. Those that only have two or three seats are not subject to the same tax rate, so a company could save thousands of euros.
And this is not very different from the number of brands and models that avoid other European tax laws by doing practically the same thing. The manufacture of a two-seater vehicle from a four-seater vehicle is much more common in the Old Continent.
Maguet did not announce pricing or availability, but did say that all versions will be available with this modification. The estimated range is about 30 km higher than that of a Model Y LR four-seater version.
Photo by Clément Maguet (LinkedIn)
At the moment, the only way to see the two-seater Model Y is to be in France. In fact, the American manufacturer will tour the entire country between now and July. This is a smart way for Tesla to expand its footprint into more markets with what is presumably very little additional cost.
As reported by Maguet in his post on LinkedIn, the Model Y will be available in the following French locations:
From March 4 to 18 in Strasbourg From March 18 to April 1 in Lille / Lilac From April 1 to 22 in Paris From April 22 to May 6 in Nantes From May 6 to 20 in Bordeaux From May 20 to June 3 in Toulouse From June 3 to 17 in Aix en Provence From June 17 to July 30 in Lyon
On top of that, the automaker has already demonstrated that it can build similarly capable utility vehicles from the Model S, as it has done in the United States. In 2018, it began using the sedan as a two-seater vehicle with only two front seats and a sliding rear shelf in place of the rear seats.