Latest updates from Gigafactory Shanghai counsel that Tesla China could also be making ready one thing substantial for its domestically-produced Mannequin 3 sedans. This was hinted at throughout a latest drone flyover of the electrical car manufacturing facility.

Longtime Tesla China watcher Wu Wa, who has been chronicling the progress of Giga Shanghai because the facility’s earliest days, lately noticed that the manufacturing of the Mannequin 3 seems to have been halted. The drone operator’s footage confirmed that Giga Shanghai was nonetheless busy, however many of the exercise was centered on the Mannequin Y part. The Mannequin 3 part was unusually quiet.

A report from Bloomberg earlier this month prompt that Tesla China is nearing the ultimate phases earlier than the trial manufacturing of the revamped Mannequin 3 begins. The publication additionally famous that the Mannequin 3 line is perhaps offline for just a few days in late Might to accommodate changes to the car’s new manufacturing line. The drone operator’s video, which confirmed Giga Shanghai’s Mannequin 3 part being quiet, means that Bloomberg‘s info might need been correct.

Contemplating the obvious shutdown of the Mannequin 3 line in Giga Shanghai, it might seem that Tesla China is certainly making ready for one thing large, and one thing that positively appears to be Mannequin 3-related. Whether or not or not this pertains to Challenge Highland stays to be seen, however Tesla China is incentivized to not pull its punches within the nation, particularly contemplating the aggressive nature of China’s automotive sector.

Tesla’s much-rumored “Challenge Highland” is predicted to incorporate quite a lot of important updates to the Mannequin 3, from the car’s manufacturing course of to its exterior and inside. Exterior updates would seemingly matter loads, because the Mannequin 3 has just about appeared the identical because it was unveiled as a prototype in 2016, over seven years in the past. Anticipated updates to the Mannequin 3’s inside would seemingly even be welcomed by customers.

Watch a latest drone flyover of Giga Shanghai within the video beneath. 

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Tesla China Giga Shanghai manufacturing halt hints Mannequin 3 replace is imminent