Tesla Inc. has postponed the start of U.S. production for a lower‑priced version of its Model Y crossover by at least several months, Reuters reported, citing three people familiar with the plan. The move delays the company’s first mass‑market sport‑utility vehicle aimed at a broader group of buyers and comes amid intensifying competition in the electric‑vehicle sector. The report sent Tesla shares down as much as 3.4 % in pre‑market trading on Monday; the stock closed 5.8 % lower at $227.50 and is now off more than 40 % this year. Separate market data pointed to a roughly 50 % plunge in Tesla’s European sales, deepening investor concerns. Barclays responded by cutting its price target to $275 from $325, while BofA Global Research lowered its objective to $305 from $380, citing weaker fundamentals and margin pressure. The setback arrives a day before Tesla reports first‑quarter results, scheduled for release at 4:07 p.m. ET on April 22, followed by a ‘Company Update’ call at 5:30 p.m. Consensus forecasts call for about $21.3 billion in revenue and earnings of roughly $0.42 a share. Analysts say they will look for clarity on the affordable Model Y timeline, progress on robotaxi and Optimus projects, and Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk’s future involvement in the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency, a topic some investors have labeled a ‘code red’ distraction.