Shanghai (ZXZC)- The project of Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory's second phase has gone through its gateway review and the China-made Model Y is expected to be fully put into production in early 2021, according to a local media outlet, citing persons with direct knowledge.

Model Y; photo credit: Tesla

Responding to a request from the local media, Tesla declined to comment.

The main section of the Shanghai Gigafactory’s Phase 2 has been completed as of now. Media reports revealed in early September that the interior decoration and electromechanical testing were being carried out and were expected to be completed on schedule in October and November.

The second phase of Tesla's Shanghai factory, which began construction in February, will be primarily used to produce the Model Ys. The China-spec SUV is anticipated to roll off the production line at the end of this year and is likely to be delivered from the first half of 2021, local media channels disclosed in early October.

In late August, Tesla China kicked off the presale of the locally-produced Model Y via its official website. The China-built all-electric model comes in two versions first—the Long Range version is priced at 488,000 yuan ($73,216) and the presale price of the Performance stands at 535,000 yuan ($80,270). Both of them are AWD models powered by two electric motors.

According to a market speculation, the starting price of the domestically-made Model Y still has room to drop in the future.

The Model 3, currently the only product being manufactured at Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory, has become one of hottest-selling all-electric models in China. According to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), with 11,329 vehicles Model 3s sold, Tesla was honored the second runner-up among NEV manufacturers in September, following SAIC-GM-Wuling and BYD.

Tesla said on October 19 it would start exporting China-made Model 3 cars to more than 10 European countries this month, including Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland.