Tesla Motors released a new vehicle, yet Musk said nothing about it. This is highly unusual.

**China Launches Six-Seat New Vehicle**

It's well known that Musk is a marketing genius and the top influencer with over 200 million followers. For years, he has leveraged his personal influence and media spotlight to promote Tesla Motors and his other companies, saving hundreds of millions in advertising and marketing costs.

Before each new vehicle launch, Musk invariably creates online buzz, building suspense with various cryptic teasers. After product releases, he follows up with interactions with Tesla Motors fans, sustaining momentum and encouraging potential customers to place orders.

But this time, something unusual happened. Tesla Motors China officially released the six-seat Model YL this week. While this is just a minor update, it represents Tesla Motors' most affordable six-seat family vehicle, holding significant importance for boosting sales in the Chinese market.

Compared to the original five-seat or seven-seat Model Y versions, the six-seat version only slightly increased dimensions (length increased by 18cm, height by 4.4cm, wheelbase by 15cm), improving legroom for second and third rows and addressing the cramped third-row experience of the previous seven-seat version.

Additionally, the Model YL added seat ventilation and powered armrest functions to the second row. Beyond size and seating, the six-seat version doesn't differ much from the original Model Y, with similar range and power, priced 10,000 yuan ($1,400) higher at 339,000 yuan ($47,000) starting price.

Notably, the Model YL is Tesla Motors' only six-seat vehicle in China. Due to tariff issues, Tesla Motors no longer sells the luxury Model X and S in the Chinese market, and these models already had minimal sales in China.

Clearly, Tesla Motors urgently hopes this six-seat Model YL can boost market share in China's intensely competitive new energy vehicle market. After all, China is the world's largest electric vehicle market and Tesla Motors' largest market globally, accounting for nearly 40% of sales.

The Model YL release was long anticipated by the market. Since last summer, reports suggested Tesla Motors' Shanghai factory might produce a long-wheelbase Model Y. In September, Reuters exclusively reported it would be a six-seat model. At the time, Tesla Motors China denied this as false information.

**Musk Remains Silent**

However, while Tesla Motors released this new vehicle in China, the US headquarters made no statement, the global website shows no trace of this new car, and there's no mention of when it might launch in other countries. Moreover, Musk couldn't be bothered to promote such an important vehicle on his X platform? This completely contradicts his usual behavior.

In fact, US Tesla Motors fans and shareholders have long awaited this Model YL. After China's new vehicle release, Model YL specifications and pricing spread across X platform, and Chinese media test drive videos of the new Model YL circulated continuously, attracting attention and envy from many American car owners.

Meanwhile, they quickly noticed Musk's silence. One Tesla Motors fan posted images reminding Musk about his company's new vehicle release, suggesting he should at least say something. Another blogger tried explaining that obviously Musk would wait for international market release before commenting - this wasn't forgetfulness but intentional.

Under this X post, Musk finally responded, but poured cold water on American Tesla Motors owners and fans. "This Model Y revision won't begin production in the US until late next year. Given the emergence of autonomous driving in the US, it may never be produced."

Even if production begins late next year, that means full delivery wouldn't occur until 2027, a full ten years after Model Y's original launch. This year's new Model Y Juniper upgrade isn't substantial and doesn't offer six-seat options. Tesla Motors users wanting six seats must choose the Model X starting at $100,000.

It appears potential American Model Y buyers can only look on enviously, once again admiring the diverse choices and affordable prices in China's electric vehicle market.

**Given Up on the US Market?**

Is there no demand for the six-seat Model YL in the US market? The answer is no. Cramped riding experience has always been a major complaint among Tesla Motors Model Y owners. Due to limited interior space, some Model Y users even complain "the third row is too small even for dogs." To enjoy a six-seat experience, they must choose the $100,000 Tesla Motors Model X.

Like the Chinese market, spacious three-row vehicles with comfortable riding experiences, particularly models with second-row captain's chairs, have always been the most popular in the US market, favored by families and consumers seeking luxury configurations.

The Toyota Sienna is the perfect example. This hybrid MPV, due to its fuel economy and family-friendly design, is extremely hard to find in the US. Since the pandemic, Toyota Sienna sales have shown no worry about demand: either requiring over a year waiting list or direct price markups of several thousand dollars for monthly delivery.

Since Tesla Motors faces significant sales decline in the US and consumers desire a more spacious Model Y, why doesn't Tesla Motors launch Model YL in America? Why does Musk even threaten it may "never launch" - has he given up on the US market?

Global electric vehicle giant Tesla Motors faces severe sales challenges, and Musk no longer mentions his ambitious goal of 20 million annual sales. Second quarter Tesla Motors global deliveries dropped 14%, automotive revenue fell 16%. All three major markets - China, US, and Europe - declined, struggling to halt the sales slide.

China is Tesla Motors' largest global market, accounting for nearly 40% of sales. China Passenger Car Association data shows Tesla Motors delivered 129,000 vehicles in China during the second quarter, but faces intense competition from domestic rivals like BYD and Xiaomi, with continuously declining market share, dropping 12% in July alone.

Over the past month, Tesla Motors' sales heads for Europe and the US successively departed, with outsiders believing they were dismissed by Musk for failing to halt significant sales declines. However, US and European market sales drops are largely Musk's own responsibility.

Tesla Motors' market crash in Europe and America clearly isn't simply about market competition. European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) statistics show Tesla Motors' European sales plummeted 33% in the second quarter. US research firm Cox Automotive estimates Tesla Motors' US market deliveries in Q2 2025 fell over 15% year-over-year.

Musk spent $300 million supporting Trump's reelection, publicly backed European right-wing parties, essentially breaking ties with Tesla Motors' core consumer base of left-leaning voters. Given Tesla Motors' brand is highly tied to Musk personally, Tesla Motors stores across the US and Europe face comprehensive boycotts, protests, and even violent damage, making significant sales drops predictable.

**US Market Deteriorates Further**

Why is the six-seat Model YL exclusive to the Chinese market? It appears Musk believes securing Chinese market sales is Tesla Motors' current top priority. China is not only the world's largest electric vehicle market but maintains stable high-speed growth momentum.

The six-seat Model YL can help Tesla Motors boost sales in China, gaining new users in competition with domestic rivals like Li Auto L8 and AITO M8. After all, the Chinese market represents relatively pure product competition, with Chinese consumers uninterested in Musk's political positions in Europe and America.

But in the US market, the six-seat Model YL might not bring Tesla Motors obvious improvements. Latest Gallup polling shows 61% of Americans hold negative views of Musk; this aligns with previous Silver Bulletin polling results showing 57.4% of people express distaste for Musk.

Making matters worse, the Trump administration Musk spent $300 million to support has dropped the heaviest stone on the US electric vehicle market. The Trump administration forcibly passed the "Make America Great Again Act" completely eliminating new energy vehicle subsidies, with the $7,500 federal tax credit per new vehicle ending in late September.

This means now is the last golden period for potential US electric vehicle buyers, as purchasing after October means paying $7,500 more. One can imagine US electric vehicle sales might rebound in Q3, then suffer significant decline in Q4.

US electric vehicle sales already showed slowing growth in the first half of this year. Analysts predict after Q4 tax credit elimination, US electric vehicle sales might face "collapse," with penetration potentially dropping from current 7-8% to even lower levels. By comparison, pure electric vehicles accounted for over 45% of new car sales in China during the first half of this year.

The Trump administration's impact on Tesla Motors extends beyond this, affecting billions in revenue. The "Make America Great Again Act" eliminated the previous carbon credit trading system, meaning traditional automakers no longer need to purchase credits from electric vehicle companies like Tesla Motors due to slow new energy transition progress.

For years, zero-cost carbon credit trading sales have been important revenue for Tesla Motors. Market research firm GLJ Research analyst Gordon Johnson bluntly states this is why Tesla Motors has survived until now. Over the past decade, Tesla Motors earned $11.8 billion from carbon credit sales, ensuring survival despite long-term operational losses.

Now with Trump's "Make America Great Again Act," Tesla Motors completely loses this revenue stream. This was the direct reason Musk previously broke with President Trump and even publicly feuded with him. However, Trump and Republicans have long opposed subsidizing the new energy industry - a well-known position.

**Focus on Autonomous Driving Development**

Musk hasn't detailed on X the direct relationship between autonomous driving expansion in the US and whether Model YL will launch in America. But his current focus on Tesla Motors' US business has almost completely shifted to expanding autonomous driving Robotaxi services.

Over the past two months, Tesla Motors has been testing Robotaxi services in Austin, Texas - the company's headquarters location - using FSD-equipped Model Y vehicles for taxi services. According to current plans, Tesla Motors' steering wheel-free autonomous vehicle CyberCab won't begin mass production until next year. But outsiders expect Tesla Motors might delay to 2027 as usual.

At least for the next two years, Tesla Motors' autonomous driving services will rely entirely on FSD-equipped Model Y vehicles. It's important to note Tesla Motors Robotaxi currently differs clearly from Google Waymo: safety drivers sit in passenger seats ready to take control, operating only at specific times and areas, serving only invited Tesla Motors users.

But during analyst calls after Tesla Motors' earnings release, facing terrible financial results with significant sales declines, Musk "boasted" plans to cover "half the US population" with Robotaxi services by year-end. He clearly hopes to divert investor attention, making them believe Tesla Motors' future value will be entirely supported by autonomous driving and artificial intelligence, while ignoring Tesla Motors' dismal sales decline.

Following Google and Cruise's autonomous driving deployment pace, Musk's plan seems nearly impossible - just applying for autonomous taxi services in California requires years of testing and approval.

But Musk has his arrangements: Tesla Motors recently announced ride services in the San Francisco Bay Area, but vehicles lack Robotaxi markings and safety drivers sit in driver seats. Tesla Motors essentially bypassed California's autonomous driving regulatory approval through rental car services.

Perhaps troubling Musk is Tesla Motors' recent litigation challenges and heavy blows regarding "autonomous driving" technology marketing. Last week in a 2019 Florida Model 3 fatal crash case, Tesla Motors was found liable for secondary responsibility but must pay over $200 million in punitive damages for misleading marketing.

This week, San Francisco Federal District Court ruled Tesla Motors US owners can file class action lawsuits against Tesla Motors' autonomous driving claims since 2016, reasoning Tesla Motors failed to prove vehicles possess "advanced autonomous driving capabilities" and "cannot demonstrate any vehicle's long-distance autonomous driving."

The San Francisco court allows thousands of Tesla Motors owners to sue jointly, potentially involving hundreds of thousands of Tesla Motors owners who purchased FSD between 2016-2024. The judge determined plaintiffs provided sufficient evidence proving Tesla Motors' statements might be deceptive: Musk claimed "all Tesla Motors vehicles have complete autonomous driving hardware," Tesla Motors' website long claimed vehicles could achieve "long-distance autonomous driving," Tesla Motors' HW3 hardware cannot support unmanned driving and requires upgrading to HW4.

The promises Tesla Motors made seven years ago have now become evidence for owner compensation claims.