The Elusive $35,000 Model 3: A Godot-Like Wait For The 'Mass-Market' Tesla
Almost two years ago, tens of thousands of Tesla fans forked over deposits of $1,000 each to secure a place in line for what Elon Musk promised would be the first affordable mass-market electric car, the $35,000 Model 3. They were prepared to wait. But not this long.
From article, (Almost two years ago, tens of thousands of Tesla fans forked over deposits of $1,000 each to secure a place in line for what Elon Musk promised would be the first affordable mass-market electric car, the $35,000 Model 3. They were prepared to wait. But not this long.
Tesla informed many of its nearly half million reservation holders this month that Model 3 production challenges mean deliveries are taking longer than planned, particularly for the base version. “Standard” Model 3s – i.e., the one that actually costs $35,000 – now go into production in late 2018, rather than the first quarter, Tesla said after posting financial results this month. A lucky few may get one of those cars this year – about 2 ½ years after Tesla started taking deposits – but 2019 or even 2020 look more realistic for the majority of customers.
Musk's goal prior to the Model 3's launch last year was that Tesla would be building 10,000 a week by the end of 2018. It made fewer than 2,700 in 2017 and has raised output to about 1,000 a week. It had previously intended to be at 5,000-unit per week pace by the end of last year. Now it hopes to get there by the end of the second quarter but hasn't provided a recent update on when the 10,000/week rate, enough to build 500,000 cars a year, will be hit.
Tesla won’t say how many reservations it has for the entry-level car. Right now it’s focused on long-range premium versions that start at $49,000 and can top $60,000 with options. And before the $35,000 base car goes into production, Tesla plans to build dual-motor, all-wheel-drive versions that will also cost more than the Standard.
As wait-times for the $35,000 Model 3 lengthen, some would-be buyers are losing patience, based on comments by self-identified reservation holders on the official Tesla Forum site for brand fans and owners.
“I realize after this new delay that there was no real point to waking up early on 03/31/16. No point to driving about 45 miles to my nearest Tesla store to reserve. No point to switching my schedule at work to be able to show up at 6:30 am,” according to “The biggest joke of all,” a post by someone using the handle 3dwin that generated hundreds of replies. “My spot in line will constantly be leaped over by anyone ordering the long range, dual motor or whatever other option they release before standard range.”)
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