Toronto, Ontario — Tesla is simplifying the body structure of its Model Y SUV, making it the first vehicle of its kind to feature two large single casting pieces at the front and rear of the vehicle.
The automaker plans to make a partner for the single-piece rear casting, integrated in January, with a complementary part for the Model Y’s front end.
The single-piece rear casting was shown to reduce the 70 individual pieces of metal in the Model 3 rear end down to one in the Model Y.
News of the new part broke after a photo of the front-end casting was leaked to LinkedIn and Tesla has since verified that they are building the part for the Model Y.
Production on the updated Model Y is set to begin at Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin and Gigafactory Texas by the end of the year.