Skip advert
Advertisement

Tesla to build Golf rival within five years

Elon Musk tells shareholder meeting Tesla will build “compact car” in less than five years

Tesla has plans to build a rival to the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra within five years.

Responding to a question about compact [Golf size] and sub-compact [Fiesta size] cars, Musk told the Tesla shareholders’ conference: “I think we’ll do a compact car in less than five years.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

While no more details were offered, Musk used the meeting to announce a number of updates for Tesla’s current and future range.

Model 3 – deliveries and build quality

Addressing quality and production concerns surrounding Tesla’s BMW 3 Series-rivalling Model 3 saloon, Musk said he had experienced “The most excruciating, hellish several months I’ve maybe ever had”, but said the company had made “huge progress” and “the quality and reliability of the car has improved dramatically…by a factor of maybe four or five since it started production.”

Tesla Model 3 review

The Tesla chief also announced the Model 3 is outselling the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class and Lexus IS in America. Musk confirmed the four-wheel drive version of the Model 3 is due in July, while a “shorter-range battery/lower-cost” Model 3 should arrive “around the end of this year.”

Musk also said production lines for the Model 3 had improved their output, with the company expecting its factories to have a “5,000-car week by the end of this month [June]”. He warned, however, that “if you want the right-hand drive version [of the Model 3] you’re probably waiting another year.”

Tesla Model Y

While details were thin on the ground, Tesla used its shareholder meeting to tease the forthcoming Model Y (teased above), a mid-size SUV set to compete against cars like the Audi Q3. Musk said the Model Y SUV would be revealed in March 2019, and would offer "something super special" once on sale in 2020. He also said the car would not have any leather in it, joking "even in the steering wheel….even if it does have a steering wheel.”

New Tesla Roadster

2019 Tesla Roadster tracking on road

Tesla’s forthcoming Roadster also came in for more announcements at the meeting, with Musk calling the prototype version – with its 1.9 second 0-60mph time – a “base model”. Musk also said the Roadster, due in 2020, will be offered with a “Space X option package”, a nod to the car being launched into space by a Tesla Space X rocket back in February. Tesla needs to show Musk added, “that an electric vehicle can outperform a gasoline car in every way”

Tesla Semi truck

Tesla lorry - electric truck revealed - blue front

The Tesla Semi lorry, also due in 2020, has, Musk said, undergone further developments, and will offer "a range which is way beyond what most people in the industry think is possible” when it launches. When asked about European preferences for cab-over HGV designs, rather than the Semi's American-style cab-forward setup, Musk said the Tesla truck "works in Europe and North America and China and the rest of the world."

Other announcements made by Musk included news that a new, third-generation version of the Tesla Supercharger is due out “hopefully around the end of this year”. 

Interested in learning more about Tesla? Visit our dedicated hub page for all or latest Tesla news and reviews.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

‘BYD is rubbing salt into Tesla’s wounds’
Opinion - BYD
Opinion

‘BYD is rubbing salt into Tesla’s wounds’

Mike Rutherford thinks BYD’s superb start to 2024 is part of the reason Tesla’s market valuation has plummeted
28 Jan 2024
New Tesla Model 2: project ‘Redwood’ will be firm’s entry-level electric car in 2025
Tesla 'Model 2' teaser image
News

New Tesla Model 2: project ‘Redwood’ will be firm’s entry-level electric car in 2025

The baby Tesla will borrow styling and technology from its larger siblings and could be here sooner than you think
25 Jan 2024
Tesla Autopilot safety recall affects two million cars
2016 Tesla Model S - cornering
News

Tesla Autopilot safety recall affects two million cars

Two million US market Teslas will receive a software upgrade to improve the safety of their Autopilot self-driving tech
13 Dec 2023
Munich Motor Show 2023: news round-up and all the new cars
Auto Express Munich Motor Show 2023 guide header image
News

Munich Motor Show 2023: news round-up and all the new cars

This year's Munich Motor Show saw big reveals from BMW, Cupra, Mercedes, MINI, Renault, Tesla and Volkswagen
6 Sep 2023

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: classy Audi A4 Avant estate plus 8,000 miles per year for less than £300 a month
Audi A4 Avant driving on UK roads
News

Car Deal of the Day: classy Audi A4 Avant estate plus 8,000 miles per year for less than £300 a month

Our Deal of the Day for 27 March is for those who want a big trunk for all their junk
27 Mar 2024