In response to a challenging year marked by declining sales and protests against CEO Elon Musk, Tesla has unveiled a more affordable version of its Model Y. Launched in the U.S. on May 6, this new long-range, rear-wheel drive electric vehicle is priced at approximately $44,990. With a federal tax credit for electric vehicles, the cost could drop to around $37,490. According to Tesla’s website, deliveries are expected to begin within the next few weeks. The car features a battery range of 357 miles and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. This move is seen as an attempt to recover from recent financial setbacks and declining sales, which have been partly attributed to Musk’s political affiliations. In both Britain and Germany, Tesla’s sales have fallen to their lowest levels in over two years, dropping 62% and 46% year-over-year respectively, despite rising demand for electric vehicles in these markets.
— new from USA Today