Tesla ridicules the historic automotive industry model

A few days ago, Tesla introduced the new Model Y Juniper, which began production in China… in October!

This strategy by Tesla highlights a complete break from what was previously the industry norm. Take, for example, the new Renault 5, which was presented as a concept car in 2021, and whose commercial launch only started sluggishly at the end of 2024. And what about the electric Twingo, announced in 2022, with its body revealed at the 2024 Auto World Congress and its interior only just being presented in 2025. The car is not expected in dealerships before 2026! The old automotive approach dictates that a concept car is presented to gauge public interest before developing a working prototype. Only then do rigorous testing phases follow, before finally launching sales. This process is lengthy, costly, and completely outdated! At Tesla or among the Chinese, vehicle production is launched just a few weeks after the presentation. And at that stage, we no longer talk about prototypes or concepts since all validation phases have already been completed in great secrecy. If the car is not liked or worse, doesn’t work, no problem—just move on as quickly as possible!

Tesla reinvents the automobile at all levels

New automakers do not dwell on concepts or prototypes but focus on rapid production and continuous improvements throughout the vehicle’s life cycle. Xiaomi’s SU7 launched in 2024 with all-wheel drive architecture already has a SUV variant called YU7 and will soon be released in a Front-Wheel Drive version.

The gap between these two approaches highlights a difference in mindset. Europeans, particularly French manufacturers, unfortunately, seem to favor meticulous validation of the product before starting mass production. But in such a dynamic market as electric vehicles, this sluggishness is a serious handicap.

Tesla and the Chinese have understood that speed of execution is crucial today. By launching their vehicles quickly and improving their models afterward, they benefit from a flexibility and responsiveness that European manufacturers still seem to struggle to adopt. To succeed, one must now understand that time is money, and every delay in the development process can lead to significant missed business opportunities. To do well, speed is essential now.