Earlier this week, Tesla unveiled a six-seat variant of its well-known SUV, the Tesla Model YL. It’s a bit larger than the Model Y, offering six seats instead of five, while boasting nearly identical range and a marginally higher price point. At present, the only six-seat Tesla available worldwide is the pricier Model X, prompting many prospective buyers to anticipate a U.S. launch of the Model YL. Nevertheless, this may not occur in the near future, if at all. Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated in a tweet that the production of this Model Y variant in the U.S. will not commence until late next year, if it happens at all, due to the advancement of self-driving technology in the country. U.S. consumers might not witness the Model YL until late 2026 or early 2027. Musk’s mention of self-driving relates to Tesla’s newly launched and broadening Robotaxi service, which is currently operational in select U.S. cities. Although there are plans to provide Robotaxis to half of the U.S. population by year’s end, this seems unlikely given that the service is still in a closed beta and not fully autonomous, particularly in regions like the Bay Area where a driver is necessary. Regulatory approval also presents a challenge. The effects of self-driving on the six-seat variant of the Model Y remain unclear, and Musk did not elaborate further. He also did not address markets outside the U.S., leaving room for optimism regarding an earlier debut of the Model YL in other regions.