Tesla Model Y Teardown: Body Frame and Strength Members

Improvements from Model 3 and support for 3 rows of seats; based on Munro teardown survey data

2021/06/03

Summary

Tesla Model Y
The most noticeable differences from the Model 3 are the voluminous rear and the wide opening tailgate. Three rows of seats (2 additional seats; 7-seater) are available as an option.
(Photo taken at the MarkLines Benchmarking Center)

  The Model Y is basically designed following the design of the Model 3, with about 54% of the vehicle's components being carry-over parts. As for the body, the same structure is used forward of the front bulkhead, but after the A-pillar, there are differences such as support for the 3-row seat version and the incorporation of improvements and cost reduction. One such example is the body side panels, which are integrally pressed and molded from tailor welded blanks, but the most striking feature is the structure of the rear section, which consists of two large aluminum rear castings called a “mega castings”. The castings can now be manufactured using the newly introduced Giga Press high-pressure die casting equipment (manufactured by IDRA Group, Ltd., Italy).

  This report describes the characteristic parts of the body frame and strength members based on the analysis report of the teardown survey of the 2020MY Tesla Model Y, AWD performance upgrade package (456 HP) 5-seater version conducted by Munro & Associates, Inc. Parts not mentioned in this paper, as well as dimensions, weight, manufacturing process analysis, and cost analysis for all parts, are shown in the main body of Munro's full report.

Model 3とModel Yのスペック比較
Comparison of the specifications of the Model 3 and Model Y used in the teardown survey. (Source: Munro)
With similar external dimensions, the Model Y offers a large amount of cargo space (with a third row of seats).

 

 

  MarkLines works in cooperation with the Detroit-based vehicle benchmark engineering company Munro & Associates, Inc. (Munro). Munro conducts teardown surveys of various types of vehicles and conducts detailed specification and cost analysis of all the components, including weight and dimensions, and provides reports on the analysis results. For detailed information, please make an inquiry here.

 

Tesla Model Y teardown reports:
Tesla Model Y Teardown: Electric Powertrain Technology (Jun. 2021)


Tesla Model 3 teardown reports:
Tesla Model 3 Teardown: Chassis, and Body (May. 2019)
Tesla Model 3 Teardown: Interior, and HVAC system (Apr. 2019)
Tesla Model 3 Teardown: Motor, Inverter, and Battery (Mar. 2019)


Related reports:
Tesla: Aiming for annual production and sales of 1 million vehicles in 2022 (May 2021)
The Battery Show & EV Tech Digital Days 2020 (Dec. 2020)
Is Tesla an Auto Company or a Tech Company? (Nov. 2020)

 

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