Blog Report: Model 3 Inspired Compact Hatchback Planned for Europe

Tesla is planning a compact hatchback based on the Model 3 to be built and sold in Europe, according to a report from Autocar.

Details are thin, but it seems to line up with recent statements from Musk that Tesla needs a more affordable option.

“We will not succeed in our mission if we don’t make cars affordable.,” Musk said on Tesla’s most recent investors call. “The thing that bugs me the most about where we are right now is that our cars aren’t affordable enough. We need to fix that.” 

Musk added that “it would be reasonable to assume that we would make a compact vehicle of some kind.”

Autocar reported that the Model 3 hatchback will be built at Giga Berlin, which Tesla expects to be operational next year.

Smaller cars, such as a possible Model 3 hatchback, are more practical and preferred in markets like Europe and China. It certainly makes sense for Tesla to be aggressive in targeting those consumers.

Making Tesla’s vehicles more accessible to the masses is an exciting development, but there are still questions about the form of the this new compact and its powertrain.

What would you like to see in a Tesla compact?

 

[voyager]

I don't know how well Smart is doing in the EU, but in the NA market, they had to exit completely in 2019, which was a shame.

Daimler's Smart division has never prospered. My guess is that the two-seater has inherently limited appeal, is often considered unsafe and not very comfortable due to the short wheelbase. The Smart ForFour is too close to being a hatchback. IMO, if you want to cater to the huge market between car and cycling, don't come up with yet another car albeit smaller. Come up with a 'best of both'. There is a chance the Smart For Three idea will be taken further later next year...

 

[voyager]

It even makes sense from the Boring Company perspective to use sleek-footprint vehicles...

https://twitter.com/i/status/1327431080945668096

 

[Tslgrl]

I think a lot of people here are conflating a hatch opening and hatchback size vehicle.

I’m a current Volt owner which has a very usable rear hatch opening and is one of the primary reasons we could not trade in Victor for a Model 3. Hatch’s for trunks/boots are so damn flexible.

Most of the last 10 years I’ve driven cars that fit this style (2 x Golf TDI Wagons before the Volt). If more people got behind the wheel of a sedan that had a rear hatch opening and drove it for groceries, a vet trip, long weekend etc., I think you would see a lot more uptake and a movement away from the traditional sedan style trunk. Especially with an ageing population.

Hatchback’s like a Golf GTI, Impreza, Mazda 3 are entry model cars to some but for much of the world, outside America, these are the only vehicle a family owns and they manage just fine putting in two kids and a stroller. If Elon wants to have a truely global brand, he won’t just be thinking about Americans.

 

[1stEVSm3mY]

I own a model 3 and love the car, but would have loved it even more if it had a hatchback. I don’t like the fact that the model 2 will be considered the low end model. I would definitely pay for a nicer full featured hatchbac.

 

[jeremymc7]

Yes, I had previously voiced by disappointment when the 3 was initially revealed to have a trunk instead of a hatch. I got one anyway but almost waited and got a Y was coming with a hatch. Glad I didn't as I don't like the Y as much. I even reconsidered before buying a second 3 if I wanted a Y instead. I still went with another 3. Depending on what the 3 / $25k car /2 / compact hatch end's up being; it might replace one or both of my 3's down the road. Way too early to even really speculate though.