Tesla launches Model Y Standard in the US, removes glass roof
[PCauto] Tesla officially released the Model Y Standard on October 7, 2025, through its U.S. official website. As the entry-level variant of the regular Model Y, it aims to attract a broader consumer group by simplifying configurations and lowering the price.
The starting price of the Model Y Standard is $39,990 (approximately 169,000 MYR), while the starting price of the regular Model Y is $44,990 (approximately 190,000 MYR), showing a significant difference. These differences mainly lie in exterior design, interior configuration, performance parameters, and intelligent features.
A series of simplified adjustments have been made to the appearance of the Model Y Standard
The Model Y Standard roof material has been changed from the panoramic glass roof of the regular version to a closed metal roof.
The continuous LED light strip in the front design has been removed and an integrated headlight similar to that of the Model 3 has been adopted. The diffuse reflection function of the taillight set in the new Model Y has also been removed, retaining only the basic lighting function.
For the wheels, the Model Y Standard comes standard with 18-inch Aperture wheels, while the regular version is equipped with 19-inch wheels; if users wish to upgrade to 19-inch wheels, they need to pay an additional $1,500 (approximately 6,400 MYR).
These exterior changes make the Model Y Standard visually more modest, reducing its sense of luxury, but the core body structure and safety design are retained.
The interior comfort of the Model Y Standard has been further reduced
The interior and comfort configurations are where the differences between the Model Y Standard and the regular Model Y are most notable.
The seat material has been downgraded from synthetic leather in the regular version to a combination of fabric and synthetic leather, and the front seat ventilation and rear seat heating functions have been removed.
The rear entertainment screen has been completely removed, and the air conditioning system has been simplified, with the HEPA air filtration system downgraded to a regular filter, and the bioweapon defense mode removed.
In addition, the Model Y Standard has also removed ambient lighting, welcome lights, and the power tailgate, all of which are standard features in the regular version.
The audio system has been reduced from 15 speakers (including a subwoofer) to 7 basic speakers, and the FM/AM radio has been removed.
Although these adjustments significantly lower the luxury level of the interior, the Model Y Standard still retains the 15.4-inch central control screen and basic air conditioning system, ensuring the availability of core functions.
The acceleration capability of the Model Y Standard is reduced
In terms of performance, the Model Y Standard has certain differences compared to the regular Model Y. For its power system, the Model Y Standard is equipped with a single-motor rear-wheel-drive configuration, with motor power reduced from the regular version’s 264kW to 220kW. The 0-96 km/h acceleration time has been extended from 5.9 seconds to 6.8 seconds.
In terms of range, the EPA standard range of the Model Y Standard is 321 miles (approximately 516 kilometers), while the regular Model Y has a range of 357 miles (approximately 575 kilometers). This is primarily due to the reduction in battery capacity: the Model Y Standard uses a 69.5kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, while the regular version is equipped with a 78.4kWh battery.
Charging capability has also been downgraded. The Supercharging power of the Model Y Standard is limited to 225kW, lower than the 250kW of the regular version, meaning the charging efficiency of the Model Y Standard is slightly reduced.
Model Y Standard Is Equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control and Automatic Emergency Braking
The Model Y Standard retains the HW4. self-driving hardware and the AMD Ryzen chip, ensuring core computing capabilities consistent with the regular version.
However, in terms of functionality, the automatic steering feature of the basic Autopilot has been removed. It comes standard with adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking (AEB). The Full Self-Driving (FSD) package is an optional extra costing $8,000 (approximately 34,000 MYR), while the regular version includes basic Autopilot as standard.
In addition, the Model Y Standard has removed the heated rearview camera feature, which may impact visibility clarity in low-temperature environments.
Although these adjustments reduce some smart features, core safety structures such as the five-star safety rating and multiple airbags have been retained to ensure the vehicle’s basic safety performance.
The Reasons Behind Tesla’s Launch of a Budget Model
In the second quarter of 2025, Tesla’s global delivery volume declined by 13.5% year-on-year, and revenue fell by 12%, partly due to the expiration of U.S. subsidy policies prompting consumers to purchase vehicles in advance.
Elon Musk has proposed a goal of selling 12 million cars over the next decade. As a key product to achieve this goal, the Model Y Standard leverages existing platforms and supply chains to enable rapid mass production and reduce costs by approximately 20%.
In terms of cost control, Tesla achieves price reductions by cutting non-core features while retaining core battery, motor, and electronic control systems and safety structures to ensure the vehicles still meet the five-star safety rating.
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The hidden door handles of electric vehicles are being banned, and the governments of the United States and China have already drafted relevant regulations.
WilliamOct 07, 2025, 10:30 AM
[PCauto] The hidden door handle design has sparked widespread controversy in the global automotive industry in recent years. This design was initially used in the racing field to reduce air resistance and later became a symbol of technological advancement in the era of electric vehicles.
However, as safety issues gradually emerged, regulatory agencies across various countries unanimously imposed restrictions on the design of hidden door handles.
The U.S. NHTSA focuses on post-collision rescue efficiency, Euro NCAP emphasizes overall safety ratings, and China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology addresses the issue systematically through mandatory national standards.
Chinese Government Regulates to Ban Hidden Door Handle Design
In the Chinese market, the safety concerns related to electric vehicle door handles are more prominent. According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the penetration rate of electric vehicles reached 45.5% in the first eight months of 2025, with a retail penetration rate of 55.3% in August and an estimated 58% in September.
However, the safety hazards of fully hidden door handle designs have gradually emerged in recent years. Crash tests by CIRI show that vehicles equipped with electronic door handles have a pop-out success rate of only 67% in side collisions, far lower than the 98% of mechanical designs.
Complaints about hidden door handles pinching children’s fingers increased by 132% year-on-year in 2024, and the freeze rate in northern winters reached as high as 37%.
Multiple accident cases have highlighted the risks associated with this design. For instance, in a 2024 rear-end collision involving the AITO M7 in Yuncheng, Shanxi, the impact caused a power outage that prevented the door handles from popping out. Similarly, in a March 2025 collision involving the Xiaomi SU7 on a highway, the hidden door handles also failed to operate due to a power failure, complicating rescue efforts.
By September 24, 2025, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a draft for public comment on the mandatory national standard “Safety Technical Requirements for Automotive Door Handles,” aiming to prohibit fully retractable exterior door handle designs.
The draft requires that each car door must be equipped with an exterior handle that has a mechanical release function and reserves an operation space of no less than 60mm×20mm×25mm for hand use.
The MIIT plans to officially implement this standard on January 1, 2027. Newly certified vehicle models are given a transition period until July 1, 2027, while existing models must comply by July 1, 2028.
Euro NCAP to Reduce Safety Ratings for Cars with Hidden Door Handles
Europe has similarly shown concern over the safety issues of hidden door handle designs. Euro NCAP has started deducting points in safety ratings for vehicles using hidden door handles, directly impacting automakers’ crash test results.
Although the European Union has not yet introduced explicit bans, this scoring mechanism has prompted many automakers to reassess their design choices.
Data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association indicates that hidden door handles have a significantly higher failure rate in low-temperature environments compared to traditional designs, especially in Nordic countries.
NHTSA Proposes Requirement to Retain Sufficient Safety Mechanisms for Door Handles
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently proposed a draft requiring all vehicles to ensure that doors can be manually opened after a collision.
NHTSA specifically pointed out that hidden door handles may affect emergency rescue efficiency, although it has not explicitly prohibited this design.
NHTSA statistics show that since 2020, accident reports citing rescue delays caused by door handle issues have tripled, with 90% involving hidden designs. This data provides empirical support for regulatory adjustments.
Major Global Automakers Have Begun Adjusting Product Designs to Meet Regulations
Tesla has added an emergency mechanical cable to the Model 3 and Model Y in the European market, Lucid Motors has retained mechanical switches in the Air model, and Chinese brands such as NIO have adopted a semi-hidden design on the ET5.
Geely, as a participant in drafting the standards, has proactively adopted a semi-hidden design with an emergency pull cord solution and has made related safety patents available for the entire industry to share.
In the context of rapid electrification of the global automotive industry, safety is always an unbreachable bottom line. As one of the world’s largest electric vehicle market in the world, China’s improvement in safety standards not only impacts its domestic industry but also influences global automotive design concepts.
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10 Mistakes to Avoid as a Luxury Car Owner
A luxury car reflects its owner’s unique personality, refined taste, and passion for advanced technology. Owning such a high-end vehicle offers immense satisfaction but also brings great responsibility to maintain its performance and elegance. Unfortunately, many luxury car owners unknowingly make mistakes that lead to costly repairs.
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Conclusion
Owning a luxury car is a privilege that comes with responsibilities. Regular maintenance is essential to preserve its performance and appeal. By avoiding the common mistakes mentioned here and trusting experts like Wrenchit, you can ensure your car receives the care it deserves.
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