Where do the model names come from?

alan auerbach

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Do the names 3, S, X, and Y have any significance, or are they just random labels?
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android04

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Model S - S for Sedan
Model X - X is short for crossover, or X-over
Model E (aka Model 3) - E for economy, maybe? Also used to spell S-E-X
Model Y - Y probably just to spell S-E-X-Y
 

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To add, the other upcoming models are all acronyms.

Roadster = Really Overengineered Acceleration, distance extending, Tesla enemey roaster

Semi = Severe and Extreme moving iteration

CYBRTRK = nobody can figure this acronym out, but Elon deleted a tweet about his next kid being named it.
 

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Model S - S for Sedan
Model X - X is short for crossover, or X-over
Model E (aka Model 3) - E for economy, maybe? Also used to spell S-E-X
Model Y - Y probably just to spell S-E-X-Y
S = Model S
3 = Model 3
X = Model X
Y = Model Y

C = Cybertruck
A = ATV
R = Roadster
S = Semi
 

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S= sedan
X=x over
3 because you can't call it model T even though it's the next sedan and since it's the 3rd model may as well call it model 3.
Y because that is the next x over.

Semi because it is a semi
Roadster because that is what it is
Cybertruck because there is no other name that would work for such a machine.
 

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p̶r̶i̶u̶s̶ c̶,̶ y̶o̶t̶a̶ p̶i̶c̶k̶u̶p, ⼕丫⻏?尺セ尺ㄩ⼕长
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why not just use another languages e, im sure theres one that looks similar
 

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why not just use another languages e, im sure theres one that looks similar
Because then it's not an E? Also, trademarks are rated on 'could they be confusing' rather than whether they're technically different. So Tesla couldn't use a Japanese 3, either (Tesla tried this in their early materials) because it looked too similar to Ford's E and at the time, they didn't have the money to challenge the trademark in court (it's not easy and you usually lose).

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p̶r̶i̶u̶s̶ c̶,̶ y̶o̶t̶a̶ p̶i̶c̶k̶u̶p, ⼕丫⻏?尺セ尺ㄩ⼕长
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Because then it's not an E? Also, trademarks are rated on 'could they be confusing' rather than whether they're technically different. So Tesla couldn't use a Japanese 3, either (Tesla tried this in their early materials) because it looked too similar to Ford's E and at the time, they didn't have the money to challenge the trademark in court (it's not easy and you usually lose).

-Crissa
oh interesting, I didnt know that. makes sense I guess,
 

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Elon said he liked descriptive names like "roadster", but Tesla Sedan sounded stupid and Tesla Saloon sounded like a bar from the old west. They threw around some different names and settled on Model S, a nod to the Ford Model T.

Models X and E followed, and while they spell SEX and that's funny and all, it's also fairly standard vehicle nomenclature. Mercedes has their S-Class and E-Class sedans, and those names are also sort of standards for a category of vehicles. Same with the BMW 3-Series. A car reviewer will use those vehicles as reference points in discussion, calling a new Audi, Cadillac, Infiniti or whatever a "3-Series competitor" or an "S-Class rival". The letter X has proliferated the industry to indicate a crossover model, such as the BMW X3,5,6,7's, Infinity QX##, Mazda CX#, Volvo XC## and on and on.

So it started with the Model S, and it spells sexy to be funny, but it's also consistent with naming that any car junkie will immediately associate with various vehicle classes.
 

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Tesla is smart to use a letter for a name. That way even the international clientele is able to remember and pronounce their Tesla vehicle.
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