两吨重的车不是消费电子产品，成本不能只用在看得见的地方。 文 丨 龚方毅 赵宇 编辑 丨 龚方毅 黄俊杰 新能源车高速撞击几乎必然导致锂电池挤压、电芯破损，最终燃爆。这是物理、化学决定的必然。 可以改变结局的是，让车门在车祸后可以打开，给及时赶到的救援者留下抢救生命的机会。遗憾的是 车门无法打开屡屡发生。 这是新技术带来的新风险。燃油车时代，门把手基本是纯机械结构。车祸后只要门不变形，就能正常 开门。新能源车流行的隐藏、半隐藏式门把手更好看，但也让开门变得依赖电子系统。 技术上有解决方案。一汽-大众工程师张超告诉《晚点 LatePost》，无论是 20 年前的车还是以后全隐 藏门把手的车，大众始终保留与门锁直连的机械拉线。类似的，长城汽车采用隐藏式门把手的车型， 也配备了机械拉线锁。 更安全的设计也更贵，据两家大型合资企业的采购和工程师估计，增加机械装置需要每车增加百元左 右成本。另一种解法是多带一个备份电源，减少因车辆断电而无法开门的几率，新增成本也是百元左 右。但如果最初设计时没有决定多花这些钱，事后要改造已经交给消费者的车就不会这么便宜。 当然，在极致降本的大环境下，一个部件增加几十、上百元的 "冗余" ...

Core Insights - Tesla is set to launch a more affordable vehicle, with significant design changes and a potential price reduction of around 20% compared to the Model Y, bringing the estimated price to approximately $36,000 [3][16][30] - The new vehicle, internally referred to as the "E41 project," has been in development since 2020 and is expected to begin production in the first half of this year [4][30] - The vehicle's design resembles a smaller version of the Model Y, with notable changes in exterior and interior features, including a solid roof replacing the glass roof and various simplifications in materials and components [8][12][15] Design Changes - The front fascia and headlight components have been redesigned, with the removal of the continuous light strip [8] - The rear now lacks the central reflective light strip, similar to the new Model 3 [10] - Interior modifications include a central armrest redesign, removal of the rear screen, and reduced storage space [15][16] Cost Reduction Strategies - The new model is expected to achieve cost savings through material changes and the elimination of certain features, similar to the cost-reduced Model 3 launched in Mexico [20][27] - Previous cost-cutting measures included using different materials, reducing the number of speakers, and simplifying the interior lighting [25][27] - The anticipated cost reduction for the compact version compared to the Model Y is around 20% [27] Production and Market Strategy - Tesla plans to ramp up production in the third quarter and officially launch the vehicle in the fourth quarter, despite potential delays due to factory modifications and the expiration of tax incentives [30][33] - The company is facing declining sales and aims to attract new customers with this more affordable model to offset a projected shortfall of 110,000 units in the second half of the year [35][39] - There is speculation that production may also take place at Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory to meet domestic demand [38] Future Developments - The $25,000 vehicle previously mentioned by Elon Musk may refer to a future model based on a new platform, known as the "Redwood project," which aims to significantly reduce manufacturing costs [39][41]