Tesla surprises everyone by delivering the Model Y ahead of schedule

Enlarge / A Tesla Model Y. (credit: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Tesla isn't exactly known for hitting its own deadlines, but the company is apparently turning over a new leaf with the Model Y.

When Tesla announced the new crossover vehicle last year, it projected the first deliveries in the fall of 2020. Spring hasn't even begun, yet Tesla says it is already shipping out the first Model Ys to customers-putting it a solid six months ahead of schedule.

A key part of Tesla's strategy for the Model Y has been to share as much as possible from the Model 3. That saved Tesla from having to design the Model Y from scratch, and it also allowed the company to reuse major portions of the Model 3 manufacturing process. This strategy may explain how Tesla was able to get the Model Y to market so quickly.

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