The Tesla Model 3 was originally known during development by the internal project name BlueStar. The codename referred to an anticipated more affordable vehicle that would expand Tesla beyond its premium Model S and Model X products.
Tesla introduced the Model 3 in 2016 and positioned it as a smaller, lower-priced electric sedan. Its development was central to the company’s plan to reach a much larger customer base. The production car was initially announced as the Model 3, although Tesla had earlier used the name Model E in planning and marketing discussions.
The BlueStar label is therefore best understood as a development codename rather than a customer-facing model name. It should not be confused with Redwood, a later project name associated with a new-generation vehicle platform, or Roadrunner, a battery-related internal program.
The Model 3 entered volume production in 2017. Its simplified interior, software-based controls, and high production demand made it one of Tesla’s most influential vehicles.