EVwire brief: Apparent Model Y L bodies spotted at Gigafactory Texas during the facility’s ongoing ~2-week Model Y production pause are fueling speculation that Tesla may be preparing to build the vehicle in the United States.
Recent drone footage from veteran watcher Joe Tegtmeyer shows multiple covered Model Y units being transported around the Giga Texas complex. Similar to past sightings, the car bodies look longer than the standard Model Y.
Some of the vehicles were seen heading towards the facility’s recycling area, a process commonly associated with validation builds during vehicle development cycles.
Context:
The appearance of the mysterious covered car bodies has led some observers to suggest Tesla may be preparing for the eventual production of the Model Y L at Gigafactory Texas.
Tesla has not confirmed this, but the timing has drawn attention given prior comments from Elon Musk about potential U.S. production of the vehicle.
Following the vehicle’s launch last year, Musk stated that the variant could reach U.S. production late 2026. However, Musk also stated at the time that the Model Y L might not launch in the U.S. at all, considering the advent of autonomous driving.
This apparent Model Y L body was spotted at Giga Texas in late March
Model Y L could be the successor to the outgoing Model X
A U.S.-built Model Y L would likely serve as a lower-cost, higher-volume alternative to the Model X, which is being sunsetted.
Such a model would retain the efficiency and cost advantages of the Model Y platform while offering cabin space and seating capacity that’s almost comparable to the Model X.
The Model Y L actually has a longer wheelbase at 3,040 mm than the Model X’s 2,965 mm. That being said, the Model X is still a wider (2,072 mm vs 1,982 mm on the Y L) and longer vehicle (5,037 mm long vs 4,976 mm for the Y L), giving it more shoulder room and overall interior volume.
The Model Y L offers captain seats with motorized armrests on the second row
The Model Y L’s features are headlined by its extended wheelbase, which has been extended by about six inches, and its six-seat interior, which features two captain seats in the second row.
Gigafactory Texas is currently preparing for the mass production of the Cybercab.
Recent images from Joe Tegtmeyer have shown that Tesla is now raising its Cybercab output, with about 60 units of the autonomous two-seater being spotted in the Giga Texas premises.
Gigafactory Texas produces the Model Y, the Cybertruck, the Cybercab, and, as per Elon Musk’s previous comments, Optimus. Here’s what the manufacturing capacity looks like per Tesla’s Q4 2025 shareholder deck:
Source: Joe Tegtmeyer on X
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