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Tesla Model Y confirmed for 2019 debut

A shadowy teaser image of the Model Y does not reveal much about the next addition to the Tesla line-up.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced during his company's annual shareholder meeting this week that the Model Y will be the next vehicle to join the EV-makers' range, with an approximate launch date slated for 2019.

The Model Y is set to be a small SUV, arriving as a more compact sibling for the Model X large SUV that hit Australian roads at the start of this year.

Other than that, not much else is known, including vehicle range, dimensions or battery sizes.

However, Mr Musk admitted that the California-based brand made a mistake by basing the Model X on the same platform as the Model S large sedan, leading to compromises with its design.

''It would’ve been better to just design an SUV the way an SUV should be designed. Design a sedan the way a sedan should be designed. Otherwise you’d just try to shoehorn something that doesn’t make sense,'' he said.

Such lessons have led to the decision that the Model Y will not completely share its underpinnings with the forthcoming Model 3 small sedan, instead a bespoke platform will be developed for the high-rider with some inspiration taken from its passenger car counterpart.

Additionally, a dedicated factory for Tesla's second SUV was also hinted at by Mr Musk, as well as the implementation of an efficient manufacturing process that could reduce capital expenditure “by a factor of two”.

“'There are a number of, I think, really major manufacturing improvements that can be done that allow us to build the car in a way that a car has never been built before,” he said.

Furthermore, the CEO also revealed sales forecasts for the Model Y, with the new model predicted to be the company's best-seller – which moves it ahead of the unreleased Model 3 that goes into production next month.

Coinciding with the confirmation of the new model, Tesla released a single shadowy teaser image that suggests its front-end design will be similar to that of the Model 3 – which currently has an 18-month waiting list.

It is difficult to tell the difference between the two at all, but traditional side mirrors are notably conspicuous in their absence.

Expect to see a Model Y concept or production car to break cover next year ahead of the SUV hitting international roads during 2019, with a local release more likely to occur in 2020.

Will Tesla be able to the deliver the Model Y in time for a 2019 release? Tell us what you think in the comments below.