After joining forces with Toyota, Tesla will be able to introduce a cost-efficient compact SUV EV（probably a $25,000 compact EV） based on the Toyota platform. The Chosun Ilbo is a leading newspaper in South Korea. Sawyer Merritt from Tesla tweeted that the story is highly regarded and accurate.
The two automakers may agree to partner on the development of electric vehicles (EVs) and parts, with Tesla providing its expertise in EV technology while Toyota provides financial support. The partnership also includes plans for joint production of battery packs at a facility in California, which will be an important step towards making EVs more affordable and accessible to consumers worldwide.
According to the report, should Tesla and Toyota join forces, the two companies would be able to launch a compact SUV EV at an affordable price by utilizing Toyota’s platform.
据外媒Rogue Valley Times报道，该车型将在2023年推出。
另外，日本汽车行业一位高管对韩国纸媒《Chosun Ilbo》表示，根据这一合作关系，两家汽车制造商将共同开发一款小型电动SUV平台。据悉，丰田将为特斯拉提供汽车平台（ Toyota CEO, with eye on Tesla, plots next-gen EV platform），而特斯拉则将向丰田提供车载电子控制平台和软件技术。特斯拉发言人没有立即回复置评请求，丰田汽车拒绝就猜测置评。
对丰田来说，通过使用特斯拉的技术，该公司可以大大减少在车辆集成电控平台(ECU)和操作系统(OS)的创新上投入的资源和时间。而在这一合作关系下，特斯拉在日本的销量（每年约1000辆）预计将会显著增长。
此外，与丰田建立合作伙伴关系后，特斯拉将能够使用丰田的平台以低成本推出一款紧凑型电动SUV。去年年底，特斯拉首席执行官埃隆·马斯克就宣布，计划生产一款更时尚、更便宜的电动汽车。
2020年9月，该公司透露，正在研发新的电池技术，使其能够在未来三年内生产出更时尚、更便宜的电动汽车，充电一次的续航里程将大大延长。行业一般认为，特斯拉和丰田汽车合作的EV将采用4680大圆柱电池或者固态电池。但是这得要看具体的成本是否有竞争力。
尽管新车型的研发需要一段时间，但特斯拉最终会推出一款售价2.5万美元的新车型，这比特斯拉目前最便宜的Model 3车型还要便宜很多，Model 3起售价为3.5万美元，但消费者买到手至少需要4万美元。
Toyota says its dedicated EV platform will double range in future models with more efficient batteries. The company also revealed its new in-house BEV development center, “BEV Factory,” to accelerate Toyota’s EV competitiveness.
