Tesla Model Y Juniper Launched in Brisbane, Australia

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Last Updated on: 16th April 2025, 12:21 am

Last Thursday night, we had the pleasure and honour of standing amidst a crowd of over 100 people for the Juniper Tesla Model Y launch at Tesla’s Brisbane delivery centre in Pinkenba (yep, that’s a real name). The Tesla Model Y only arrived in Australia three years ago, and now it has been refreshed. Walking into the centre, I was impressed, not just by the number of Teslas in the parking lot, but more so by the number of non-Tesla petrol- and diesel-powered cars.

Customers who had ordered a new Tesla made up the majority of the crowd. They would be getting their new cars soon. We attended as part of the Tesla Owners Club of Australia, Queensland Branch (TOCA). And also because we expect the Model Y to be our next car. We love our Model 3, but it is getting harder to get in and out of due to our advancing age and attendant geriatric conditions!

We were checked in, and although the man at the door looked like a security guard, he turned out to be a friendly salesperson. In Australia, we have not had the anti-Tesla violence that we hear about frequently in Europe and the States, but it still pays to be careful. So far, we have had one peaceful protest, and that was in Sydney. No news of vandalism, thank goodness.

We are in the middle of a federal election in Australia — with the Conservative politicians still criticising electric cars. But so far, there has been no interference from Mr Musk. Hopefully it will remain that way. Thankfully we are too insignificant to warrant his attention. Just send us the cars, Elon!

Most of us stood, but tables and chairs were provided for the infirm. A food truck provided spicy Mexican tacos. Facing us in the vast delivery centre were three updated Juniper Teslas, covered in black cloth and waiting for the reveal. Behind them was a black curtain, hiding the rest of the building’s contents. We chatted with old friends and made some new ones while we waited for “curtains up.” The beginning of the event was signalled by a parade of yet more Junipers, driving in behind the three on display.

After a short speech by the manager of the centre, off came the cloths and people were allowed to sit in and play with the brand spanking new, sparkly clean toys. Blue, red, white, grey, and black were on display. Those who had ordered got a chance to look at their next car. The provision of finger food meant that the cars didn’t stay perfectly clean for long. A good test for a new car! We estimated that about 15 sales staff were in attendance for the evening.

It was indeed a beautiful moment to sit in this remarkable machine. I asked Majella what she thought. Remember, we are comparing the new Y to the 5-year-old Model 3 that we currently drive. She thought the seats were more comfortable. The sliding centre console is also an improvement on the 3. “It doesn’t pop up again when you try to close it!” The cordless phone charger is more convenient. Having the dashcam USB in the glovebox makes it easier to access. “You aren’t fumbling around in the dark.” Only one stalk on the steering wheel is doable. Tesla appears to have compromised on this.

The functions of the missing stalk — drive selection — is via the screen. Autopilot is controlled by the buttons on the steering wheel. An extra button has been added for voice controls. She was most impressed with the boot, which has a shelf-like cover to hide possessions.

For larger loads, the back seats can fold down and the passenger seat moves forward — all controlled from the touchscreen. This would have been good when we were carting timber home from Bunnings in our Model 3.

Of course, I am an inveterate sticky beak and had to have a look behind the curtain. As customers sat in the display cars and checked out the buttons and knobs (or in reality the lack of buttons and knobs), I had a good look at the rest of the delivery centre. What a surprise — it was full of new Teslas (Highland 3s and Juniper Ys) all ready for delivery. The manger saw me snooping and came for a chat! He confirmed that these cars were about to be delivered. When I asked about when, he said tomorrow.

I joked that I should put up a picture (like the one below) on Facebook and say that Tesla can’t sell any cars so they are hiding them in warehouses. Sadly, though, many people would take me seriously and I would arm the FUD army which still marches on. People are so ready to believe the worst and spread hate. The tide is turning here in Australia. Now, when an anti-EV post comes up, there are people to answer the questions and defend the technology.

The updated Model Y was introduced to Australia at the Everything Electric show in Melbourne last month. “From an order point of view, we’re really happy with what we’ve got, very strong demand,” Thom Drew of Tesla Australia and New Zealand country director stated. “We sold out our allocation of the Rear-Wheel-Drive [Launch Series] car, so [we’re] just still selling through the remainder of the Launch [Series] Long Range All-Wheel Drive.” I am looking forward to the delivery numbers showing up in the monthly stats. That should change the headlines: Tesla sales falling! I am sure the media will try and spin it negative.

To feed Tesla’s ever-expanding fleet, more, larger fast charging sites are being opened around the country. Opening just in time for Easter, a 15-stall Tesla Supercharger site at Moonee Beach, just north of Coffs Harbour, in New South Wales is open to all EVs. It will be equipped with V4 Superchargers, all rated at 250 kW. The site is cofunded by the state government. Making sure that your EV doesn’t “ruin your weekend,” the site has drive-thru bays. You won’t have to unhitch your trailer, boat, or caravan to charge.

Australia’s largest Tesla Supercharger site has been operating since 2023 in Albury, Victoria. It has 16 V4 chargers. Tesla will be opening a 20-charger site in Goulburn Victoria shortly. These chargers will service people travelling from Melbourne to Sydney and Brisbane along the most popular transport corridors in Australia. Demand increases in winter as the southern, sun starved populace flees Melbourne and Sydney and heads north to Brisbane in sunny Queensland.

Don’t tell Tess, but we will be organising our test drive of the Model Y Jupiter soon. For us, the future looks bright, electric and much more comfortable.