Tesla to Reveal Cheaper Model Y Amid Sliding Sales, While BYD Gains Momentum
Tesla is expected to unveil a lower-cost version of its flagship Model Y SUV this week as it attempts to counter falling sales and eroding market share in the face of intensifying competition, Reuters reported.
What’s New: The “Affordable” Model Y
The upcoming Model Y is designed to attract cost-conscious buyers as Tesla faces mounting pressure to sustain growth. The vehicle’s launch was teased through social media clips featuring the car’s headlights and spinning wheels, ending with the date October 7, 2025 confirming its planned reveal.
The company aims to make the Model Y more accessible by implementing manufacturing efficiencies and cost-saving measures, signaling a renewed focus on affordability.
Why Tesla Sales Are Weakening
- Tesla’s declining performance stems from a combination of market, policy, and brand challenges.
- The company’s product lineup has aged, with limited design updates to its core models—the Model S, 3, X, and Y—while rivals continue introducing new, feature-rich alternatives.
- The expiration of a $7,500 U.S. EV tax credit has also effectively raised vehicle prices, slowing sales.
- In Europe, Tesla’s deliveries in Germany fell more than 50% in the first nine months of 2025 compared to last year, and its China-made EV sales dropped 11.5% year-on-year in March.
- Additionally, analysts point to CEO Elon Musk’s controversial public statements as a possible factor affecting brand sentiment among certain consumers.
BYD’s Rising Fortunes
In stark contrast, China’s BYD continues to post strong growth. The automaker overtook Tesla in Europe for the first time in April 2025, selling 7,231 electric vehicles compared to Tesla’s 7,165, Electrive reported.
By September, BYD’s sales in the European Union were three times higher than Tesla’s. Globally, BYD’s EV sales are projected to increase by around 45% in 2025, driven by the rapid adoption of its smart-assisted driving technologies and an expanding export strategy, which could see international sales account for 20% of total deliveries.
The Road Ahead for Tesla
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has admitted that affordability is the primary obstacle to growth, not demand. The introduction of the cheaper Model Y represents a strategic attempt to reclaim lost market share and reignite consumer interest. However, analysts warn that success will depend on how effectively Tesla can scale production, manage costs, and maintain profitability in an increasingly crowded market.
Final Insight
As BYD surges ahead globally, Tesla faces a critical test. Facing intensifying competition from BYD’s rapid expansion and pricing, the unveiling of its lower-cost Model Y may determine whether the U.S. automaker can restore its growth trajectory—or risk being overtaken for good in the world’s fastest-evolving EV landscape.