Tesla has made a significant improvement to its Model Y SUV by introducing a retractable sunshade designed to reduce the heat that radiates into the cabin through the car’s large glass panoramic roof. This new accessory is now available for purchase on the brand’s Chinese website at a price of ¥1499 (approximately A$310), and it will be delivered starting from Thursday this week.
The manual sunshade is designed to be easy to install, featuring a single-piece unit that is trimmed with fabric matching the original factory headliner. It also includes metallic handles for convenience. While DIY installation is expected to be straightforward, Tesla is also offering professional installation services for an additional fee.
Unlike many third-party aftermarket options that typically use clip-in designs, the factory-made sunshade comes with an integrated frame and uses a roller-type mechanism. This design helps ensure minimal noise during operation, making it a more seamless addition to the vehicle.
It’s worth noting that Tesla has previously published a patent related to engineering the glass roof to help cool the cabin. This suggests that the new sunshade may be a temporary solution while the company continues to explore long-term improvements.
The retractable sunshade is suitable for Model Y vehicles manufactured in 2025 and later. Tesla has stated that the product has undergone full-vehicle airbag deployment testing and multiple road tests to ensure it is safe for use.
When contacted by CarsGuide, Tesla Australia confirmed that the retractable roof shade is currently only available in China. However, the company mentioned that accessories like this are expected to become available in other markets in the future.
A spokesperson for Tesla said, “At this point in time, the retractable roof is just for China. However, it is anticipated that accessories will be available outside of the Chinese market in the future.”
They added, “What we have seen with the Model Y L is an overwhelming global volume (for markets that do take it), which sees accessories take some time to come to market.”
This highlights the challenges that automakers face when rolling out new features or accessories to different regions. Despite the delay, Tesla remains committed to expanding its range of products and ensuring that customers worldwide can benefit from innovations like the retractable sunshade.
