Tesla to launch hatchback within five years

Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting saw its CEO Elon Musk reveal the company’s plans for the next five years, which includes a hatchback, a new Gigafactory, the Model Y, a redesign of its upcoming Semi lorry and the third-generation supercharger.

Smaller car plans

Elon Musk confirmed the Model Y for an unveil in March 2019 and production in the first half of 2020. A second preview image of the SUV was also released. Despite the fact that the Model 3 is expected to become Tesla’s best-selling car once the current step-up in production is complete, the Model Y could usurp it, given SUVs’ growing dominance in the industry.

The most notable announcement by Musk was that Tesla will bring a compact car to market within the next five years. Although, no further details were given.

Tesla Semi, Roadster Mk2 revisions

There is also suggestion of a redesign of Tesla’s upcoming Semi lorry. Musk said that the change will make the truck fit in with legislations across the world. He also claimed that the Semi’s range will be “way beyond what most people in the industry think is possible”; he has already claimed over 900km previously.

“Semi and Roadster are actually going to be better than what was unveiled,” said Musk, confirming his previous announcement that the Roadster reveal model, with its 1.9sec 0-100kph time, was the entry-level variant. A performance version “with a SpaceX option package” would top that range, according to Musk.

Supercharger Mk3, Gigafactories

The third-generation Tesla Supercharger will be revealed later and its production and first deployments are planned before the year’s end. It is expected that the third-gen Supercharger would be capable of 240kW — double that of the current one.

Tesla’s Gigafactory production facility in Nevada will be expanded over the next five years and will be “by far the biggest building in the world”, Musk said.

More Gigafactories have also already been confirmed, with the next one to be built in Shanghai. Future Gigafactories will not only produce battery packs but handle full vehicle, powertrain and battery pack production, Musk explained.

No Tesla bikes

What won’t be built at those Gigafactories, however, is a Tesla motorcycle. Despite ventures into passenger and commercial vehicles, Musk recalled a motorbike accident in his youth that has discouraged him from developing a two-wheeler with a Tesla badge.