Why? Why not a small/medium sized commercial vehicle range for Europe? Huge sales, competitors abound but are nearly all ICE adaptations. We really should admit there a plethora of logical choices for both Shanghai and Berlin. Whatever they will be they’ll be new standards for their segments. I’m sure we all really want to know!
Tesla is on record as saying they want to eventually compete in all vehicle segments.
4680 cell production and raw materials sourcing, in conjunction with cell orders from suppliers, should remove cell constraints,
Chip supply and other part supply problems are easing, everything points to higher production of all models but Model Y in particular.
Most of this should play out by the end of 2022,
2023 is an opportunity to announce new models if all if the design and engineering ground work has been done.
Where Tesla is currently at, it makes more sense to compress the timeline between new product reveal and that product shipping as far as possible, and keep the new product a secret, as far as possible, before the reveal.
So I would like to see 2023 go as follows:- "Here are 2 new models, you can order now, we are hoping to ship them in 6-9 months".
Specifically on Dodger's point, if they are planning to make additional models in Berlin it makes sense to apply for the relevant permissions ASAP, maybe have some provision for additional models in the volumes already requested. I doubt the factory permissions are model specific...
And if permissions in Berlin are too onerous, Tesla can make new models in Shanghai and Austin with no fuss, while they wait.