Tesla has officially launched the latest version of its Model Y crossover in China, featuring a slew of design updates and new features. The redesigned Model Y, codenamed "Juniper," is now available on Tesla's website in China and other Asia-Pacific markets, with deliveries expected to begin in March.

The updated Model Y marks the most significant design refresh since the vehicle's initial launch in 2020. One notable feature is the return of a physical turn signal stalk, which had been replaced by capacitive buttons in recent Tesla models. The redesign also includes new headlights and tail lights, which have been replaced with slimmer light bars that stretch across the front and rear of the vehicle.

The new Model Y also boasts an eight-inch touchscreen display for rear passengers, a quieter cabin with an ambient lighting strip, and electrically folding rear seats to expand storage capacity. Additionally, the vehicle features a front-view camera to provide a wider field of view when using assisted driving features.

There are two specifications of the Model Y available at launch, with the rear-wheel drive edition priced at 263,500 Chinese yuan (approximately $35,935) and the long-range version priced at 303,500 Chinese yuan (approximately $41,390). The estimated ranges for the two models are up to 593 kilometers (368 miles) and 719 kilometers (446 miles), respectively, based on China's CLTC driving cycle standard.

It's worth noting that the estimated ranges are based on a less stringent testing standard than the US EPA system, which may impact the actual range of the vehicles. Furthermore, a performance version of the Model Y has yet to be announced.

The launch of the redesigned Model Y comes on the heels of Tesla's first year-over-year drop in sales since the company began mass-producing cars in 2012. CEO Elon Musk's antagonistic behavior has been suspected to have contributed to the decline. The updated Model Y is seen as a key move to revitalize sales and regain momentum in the competitive electric vehicle market.

While the redesigned Model Y is currently only available in China and other Asia-Pacific markets, it's unclear when the vehicle will launch in other regions, including the US and Europe. However, given that it took the Model 3 update around four months to reach the US last year, it's possible that the updated Model Y could arrive in these markets later this year.

The launch of the redesigned Model Y is a significant development in the electric vehicle market, and its impact will be closely watched by industry observers and competitors alike. As Tesla continues to refine its product lineup and expand its global reach, the updated Model Y is poised to play a key role in the company's efforts to maintain its position as a leader in the EV market.