The Tesla Model Y was once the best-selling vehicle in the world, but workers building the EV are now being told to stay home for a week due to flagging demand. The automaker reportedly told some assembly workers to take a week off during Memorial Day week or spend that time cleaning and training.
While Tesla has been known to take breaks before, employees say this one is longer than usual. They also note that the automaker has cut overtime availability, and one person said they were told they’d be written up if they clocked overtime. Some workers also said they’d been sent home early multiple times.
The Model Y has been a significant model for Tesla for a while now, especially following its recent update, but the company has seen significant drops in sales in Europe and other global markets as other automakers see gains.
Beyond the Model Y production shutdown, Tesla’s pause will also impact Cybertruck production, which takes place at the same Austin, Texas factory. The pickup truck sold well in the last quarters of 2024, but early indications are that 2025 may not be so kind to the funky EV. Tesla sold a little over 6,400 Cybertrucks in the first quarter of this year, more than the same period last year, but far short of the excitement seen later in 2024.
[Images: Tesla]
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