See All 16 Photos More affordable Tesla models are apparently coming later this year. The yet-unnamed model (or models) is set to launch in the first half of 2025 after production starts in June, according to Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja on a recent earnings call. The cars will draw from existing production lines—not the "unboxed" manufacturing process the automaker will use for the upcoming Cybercab in 2026—and be a mix of current and next-generation platforms. 0:00 / 0:00 They'll also look very familiar, which supports an earlier report from Reuters that these lower-cost models could likely be stripped-down versions of the Model 3 and Model Y. Launching a new model between now and June feels like a fairly aggressive timeline, though leaning on current manufacturing lines and familiar Tesla models should ease production time somewhat. However, plans for those stripped-down and cheaper versions of the Model 3 and Model Y will still be "delayed by at least several months," the Reuters report continues, citing sources familiar with the matter. Reasoning for the delay was not made immediately clear. Still, we can hope (and with a healthy amount of skepticism) this could mark the return of the $35,000 Model 3, though likely not the $25,000 car Tesla once promised. The $35,000 Model 3 almost existed a few years ago, but it's not clear any were ever built or delivered to customers before it was scrapped. See All 16 Photos Had it gone on sale, that cheaper 3 would have featured manually adjusted cloth seats, plus other cost-cutting omissions such as the loss of audio speakers, as well as a physically smaller battery, resurrecting the 3's onetime "Standard Range" setup. Lighter body weight overall—by ditching, say, heated seats, power accessories, and a physical chunk of the battery for lower capacity overall—could actually keep the driving range decent, were this formula applied to the current-generation Model 3 or Model Y. We've semi-humorously ideated what a lower-spec Model 3 might look like at the top of this post—though we doubt it'll have similar unpainted bumpers, steel wheels, or other major visual signifiers of affordability. Today's least-expensive 3 is the single-motor, Long Range model (a version that also existed on the pre-refresh Model Y, and is expected to soon return in new Juniper-generation guise, which so far is only available in Dual Motor Long Range form) boasting a massive 363 miles of range via an 82-kWh battery. If Tesla reintroduced the old Model 3 Standard Range's smaller 50-kWh pack, we figure a range figure in the mid-200 space isn't out of bounds, and still plenty for most customers. Besides, several competitors, such as Hyundai, offer shorter-range, more affordable Standard Range setups in the Ioniq 6 (Model 3 competitor) and Ioniq 5 SUV (Model Y competitor). Taking the smaller battery route also likely would not need any major reengineering of the 3 or Y. An affordable volume model or two is just what Tesla needs right now, following a dismal first quarter that saw a 71 percent drop in profits and a 9 percent decline in revenue for Q1 of this year. But with more and more automakers like Ford, Kia, Chevy, and Hyundai making appealing EVs for buyers to choose from—many of which can now take advantage of Tesla's Supercharger network—Tesla faces tougher competition than ever. Kristen Lee I got into cars the way most people do: my dad. Since I was little, it was always something we’d talk about and I think he was stoked to have his kid share his interest. He’d buy me the books, magazines, calendars, and diecast models—everything he could do to encourage a young enthusiast. Eventually, I went to school and got to the point where people start asking you what you want to do with your life. Seeing as cars are what I love and writing is what I enjoy doing, combining the two was the logical next step. This dream job is the only one I’ve ever wanted. Since then, I’ve worked at Road & Track, Jalopnik, Business Insider, The Drive, and now MotorTrend, and made appearances on Jay Leno’s Garage, Good Morning America, The Smoking Tire Podcast, Fusion’s Car vs. America, the Ask a Clean Person podcast, and MotorTrend’s Shift Talkers. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cooking, and watching the Fast & Furious movies on repeat. Tokyo Drift is the best one.