Tesla Model 3 Details Are Revealed!

[William Maley]

There really hasn't been much information about the Tesla Model 3 since CEO Elon Musk revealed the concept last March. Speculation and spy pictures revealing certain details were all we had. But last night at the automaker's Fremont, California production facility, Tesla finally spilled the beans on the Model 3 along with delivering the first 30 models.

The Model 3 will begin at $35,000 and delivers a total range of 220 miles. Tesla doesn't list any power specs for the electric motor, but does mention it will hit 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph. Six exterior colors will be available - aside from black, the other color choices add $1,000 to the bottom line. 18-inch wheels are standard while 19-inch wheels are a $1,500 option. The interior is a bit barren with the dash not featuring any visible vents and a large 15-inch screen that functions as the instrument cluster and control center for the Model 3.

The list of standard equipment is quite spartan, to say the least.

• Textile Upholstery
• FM/Streaming Audio System
• WiFi and LTE Connectivity
• Dual USB Ports
• Dual-Zone Climate Control
• Front/Rear Parking Sensors and Backup Camera

You also will not get a key for your Model 3. Instead, Tesla uses a smartphone app that uses Bluetooth to connect the vehicle to unlock/lock and start the vehicle. There will also be a credit-card sized near-field-communication (NFC) card that will do the same function.

All Model 3s will come with the capability for Autopilot with eight cameras, forward radar, and 12 ultrasonic sensors around the vehicle. Capability is the key word as you'll need to spend $5,000 if you want active cruise control, lane keep assist, lane change assist, and self-parking. At least the system does provide collision avoidance and automatic braking.

There is a fair amount of options available for the Tesla Model 3.

• Long Range Battery for $9,000: Brings forth a larger battery (Tesla didn't reveal the size) that increases the range to 310 miles. Acceleration drops to 5.1 seconds for the run to 60 mph. 
• Premium Package for $5,000: Adds leather upholstery, open pore wood trim, 12-way power seats with memory, power-adjustable steering wheel, premium audio system, center console, auto-dimming and power-folding side view mirrors, and rear USB ports.
• Full Self-Driving Capability for $3,000: Requires the Enhanced Autopilot package and will be available at a later date.

Of course, the elephants in the room about the Model 3 is whether or not Tesla can meet their ambitious production goals and if they can avoid the numerous issues that have plagued both the Model S and X. Like everyone, we'll be watching with baited breath.

Source: Tesla, InsideEVs

 

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[surreal1272]

I like Tesla overall but to those who said Cadillac should be worried about this car, go get your eyes checked. The interior is just horrible in its plainness. 

[A Horse With No Name]

2 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

I like Tesla overall but to those who said Cadillac should be worried about this car, go get your eyes checked. The interior is just horrible in its plainness. 

Agreed!

[frogger]

Most detailed writeup I've found..

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/model-3/2018/exclusive-tesla-model-3-first-drive-review/

[surreal1272]

7 minutes ago, frogger said:

Most detailed writeup I've found..

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/model-3/2018/exclusive-tesla-model-3-first-drive-review/

Those interior pictures confirms my issues with it. Plain Jane spartan interior with a glorified iPad Pro sitting up top. 

[Robert Hall]

Definitely going for a futuristic minimalist look inside..  that front end is really bland with no grille. 

[oldshurst442]

Easy peasy cleaning that dash and the whole interior actually. The toothbrush detailing is kept to an absolute minimum.

THAT....would be a good thing!

I never did like a car with no instruments directly in front of the driver like a certain Toyota model whose name escapes me right now (and the Saturn whose name also escapes me...<ION?>)

If Im to buy this in the near future...I dont know if that would be a deal breaker for me...but I dont really look at the speedometer all too often anyway.  BUT...it is intuitive for the speedometer to be directly in front of the driver only because for the last 100 years it has been like that...and THAT is how I like it....

What I also may not like is the iPad thingy controlling all controls. Im not used to that. My partner says...because he has the Model S that one gets used to that very quickly as it does not glitch...

As for the interior being spartan, I welcome the wide open spaces with no cluttered and claustrophobic center consoles stealing space from your feet, legs, arms and even shoulders sometimes.

My 2012 Acura TL center console area from the infotainment screen area all the way to the arm rest limits my space and Im only 5'6 and a half tall...

Its not as cumbersome as some cars, but it is borderline claustrophobic...

I like the simplistic approach.

This plays on the exterior too.

It has a nice slippery silhouette, which I happen to like, but Ill admit...it aint the sexiest. It works for me but I could see if someone finds it weird looking or downright ugly.

I like the way the headlights and taillights look. They do have a slight upscale feel to them, which admittedly, are the only two things that appear to be upscale. The rest does look like an entry level car and at 35 thousand...its kinda cheap looking.

I dont mind that at all though!

The trunk does look wide enough to swallow most family hauling needs, but if it had a hatch like its bigger brother Model S, it would have been better off to attract the other buyers other than the early adapters Tesla fanatics 4-5-6 years down the road ...especially when the world has gone crossover crazy that DEMAND those types of qualities in their rides and sedan sales are falling fast...

Id go for the bigger batter with 310 mile range. That would be pushing the cost to about 44 thousand US. The MT car is said to be about 59 thousand.  My budget when the 2012 Acura is gone will still be maximum 52 000 CDN. In about 5-6 years from now. Oh yes...Im gonna keep the TL that long, if not longer. So I have a looong way to go still and maybe by then, I wont like the Model 3 anymore and another EV from another automobile manufacturer will seduce me and steal my heart!

[smk4565]

I am not a fan of no speedometer or gauges in front of the steering wheel, and the interior is plain, but other than that I think they nailed it.  They had to keep the cost low somehow.  For $40k you get the luxury package and a solid performing car.  The MT write up was quite good.  If you don't care about auto pilot it is easy to keep the cost down.  Even with 220 miles per day driving, that is 80,000 miles per year.  Even the base car has enough range for 99% of driving.  Suprcharge it if you have to drive more than 200 miles in a day.

I think they can easily sell 5,000 cars a month, probably even 10,000 a month, I expect this car to sell like hotcakes.

[daves87rs]

Eh, it's okay....

[surreal1272]

4 hours ago, smk4565 said:

I am not a fan of no speedometer or gauges in front of the steering wheel, and the interior is plain, but other than that I think they nailed it.  They had to keep the cost low somehow.  For $40k you get the luxury package and a solid performing car.  The MT write up was quite good.  If you don't care about auto pilot it is easy to keep the cost down.  Even with 220 miles per day driving, that is 80,000 miles per year.  Even the base car has enough range for 99% of driving.  Suprcharge it if you have to drive more than 200 miles in a day.

I think they can easily sell 5,000 cars a month, probably even 10,000 a month, I expect this car to sell like hotcakes.

$40K does not get you luxury. More like the $59K, I quoted earlier, for true luxury (and yes, an extended range battery is indeed a luxury). 

5 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

Easy peasy cleaning that dash and the whole interior actually. The toothbrush detailing is kept to an absolute minimum.

THAT....would be a good thing!

I never did like a car with no instruments directly in front of the driver like a certain Toyota model whose name escapes me right now (and the Saturn whose name also escapes me...<ION?>)

If Im to buy this in the near future...I dont know if that would be a deal breaker for me...but I dont really look at the speedometer all too often anyway.  BUT...it is intuitive for the speedometer to be directly in front of the driver only because for the last 100 years it has been like that...and THAT is how I like it....

What I also may not like is the iPad thingy controlling all controls. Im not used to that. My partner says...because he has the Model S that one gets used to that very quickly as it does not glitch...

As for the interior being spartan, I welcome the wide open spaces with no cluttered and claustrophobic center consoles stealing space from your feet, legs, arms and even shoulders sometimes.

My 2012 Acura TL center console area from the infotainment screen area all the way to the arm rest limits my space and Im only 5'6 and a half tall...

Its not as cumbersome as some cars, but it is borderline claustrophobic...

I like the simplistic approach.

This plays on the exterior too.

It has a nice slippery silhouette, which I happen to like, but Ill admit...it aint the sexiest. It works for me but I could see if someone finds it weird looking or downright ugly.

I like the way the headlights and taillights look. They do have a slight upscale feel to them, which admittedly, are the only two things that appear to be upscale. The rest does look like an entry level car and at 35 thousand...its kinda cheap looking.

I dont mind that at all though!

The trunk does look wide enough to swallow most family hauling needs, but if it had a hatch like its bigger brother Model S, it would have been better off to attract the other buyers other than the early adapters Tesla fanatics 4-5-6 years down the road ...especially when the world has gone crossover crazy that DEMAND those types of qualities in their rides and sedan sales are falling fast...

Id go for the bigger batter with 310 mile range. That would be pushing the cost to about 44 thousand US. The MT car is said to be about 59 thousand.  My budget when the 2012 Acura is gone will still be maximum 52 000 CDN. In about 5-6 years from now. Oh yes...Im gonna keep the TL that long, if not longer. So I have a looong way to go still and maybe by then, I wont like the Model 3 anymore and another EV from another automobile manufacturer will seduce me and steal my heart!

The Toyota you speak of would be the Toyota Echo. 

[G. David Felt]

Bland Car, minimalist FAILURE for the interior. They should have had HUD if they are not going to give instrumentation in front of the driver.

FAILURE - SAFETY FAILURE - BIG SAFETY FAILURE.

Anyone that thinks they can be CHEAP by giving no instrumentation in front of the driver and end up having the driver look away from the road to the center of the dash is no different than distracted driving by playing candy crush on your smartphone.

TESLA FAILED in this auto. I will give them props for a clean looking dash that I feel BOLT failed at with the stupid White V. GM should have gone traditional dash all black. Otherwise GM nailed the BOLT, far superior auto than this. $59K for a luxury auto that looks cheap outside and inside.

Pathetic, this is as cheap and half ass as MB EV auto compliance crap on the West Coast. YES, MB EV auto is crap, been in it and it is a true Mitsubishi garbage auto as the real Mitsubishi EV.

[frogger]

I think it looks decent enough not to turn off entry lux buyers (3 series etc) that would turn away from a Bolt and its generic subcompact look, and it has performance and RWD going for it, but the minimalist dash will turn some off.  I don't like the lack of gauges but if I really think about it I rarely check my speedometer.

If I were ordering one, the premium package, paint upgrade, and probably AWD once available would be selected.

I see nothing superior about the Bolt other than having gauges.

 

[balthazar]

IMO, the Bolt has kind of hit the appeal nail on the head WRT styling. It's not the comic weirdness of the BMW i3, but it's not also the bland simplistic look of the Model 3, yet it's still unique so it says 'I bought an EV'. I don't find it's styling/proportions to be an issue; it's a short/tall hatch, these are the shapes that comes in. It doesn't look dated or cheap IMO...

Model 3 at times looks sleek, but the current trend in styling is to ADD details/ gimmick/creases... and this goes in the opposite direction. Interior is HUGELY opposite in that regard. Can something like this compete on interior with the ATS/3-series/c-class?? Jury is out on whether that will be a factor or not.

The range is good on it, more than initial guesses were pegging it at, but the lack of the major options many people wanted, and charging a grand for any color other than black is not a great move. I don't question the allure of "a Tesla" but in courting mainstream budget consumers... it'll be interesting to see the success/take rate of options in specific and the Model 3 in general.

[oldshurst442]

Im excited for the CT5 and Im curious to see what size it will be...

Wait a second!!!

 

 

 

Wrong thread....I thought this one was the Cadillac thread...

SARCASM POINTING TO THE OBVIOUS THAT THE REAL CADILLAC THREAD HAS

 

 

 

Edited July 30, 2017 by oldshurst442

[smk4565]

9 hours ago, dfelt said:

Bland Car, minimalist FAILURE for the interior. They should have had HUD if they are not going to give instrumentation in front of the driver.

FAILURE - SAFETY FAILURE - BIG SAFETY FAILURE.

Anyone that thinks they can be CHEAP by giving no instrumentation in front of the driver and end up having the driver look away from the road to the center of the dash is no different than distracted driving by playing candy crush on your smartphone.

TESLA FAILED in this auto. I will give them props for a clean looking dash that I feel BOLT failed at with the stupid White V. GM should have gone traditional dash all black. Otherwise GM nailed the BOLT, far superior auto than this. $59K for a luxury auto that looks cheap outside and inside.

Pathetic, this is as cheap and half ass as MB EV auto compliance crap on the West Coast. YES, MB EV auto is crap, been in it and it is a true Mitsubishi garbage auto as the real Mitsubishi EV.

$59k includes $8,000 worth of self driving hardware to make this car fully autonomous, which isn't even available yet.  Even at $56k, the Model 3 is more advanced than GM's Super Cruise and has more range than any EV outside of a $135k Model S P100D.  

So I question why doesn't the Bolt go 0-60 in under 5 seconds, why doesn't the Bolt have all wheel drive (which the Model 3 will), why doesn't the Bolt have over 300 mile range, why doesn't the Bolt have Cadillac's Super Cruise now before even Cadillac gets it on the CT6.  Oh right, because of cost and they don't want the Bolt to cost $65k.  

The Model 3 has to have some compromises to sell at $35k, even fully loaded it is $59k which isn't a bad price for an EV with that kind of range and ability to drive itself.  And Motor Trend says the Model 3 handles better than the Alfa Romeo Guilia which is the best handling 4 door car on the market right now.

[FAPTurbo]

lol maybe cadillac should copy this dash and then they'd be able to stretch their budget to make their interiors less chintzy.

but then the screen would use CUE and then everyone would die using it so.....

[Intrepidation]

38 minutes ago, FAPTurbo said:

lol maybe cadillac should copy this dash and then they'd be able to stretch their budget to make their interiors less chintzy.

but then the screen would use CUE and then everyone would die using it so.....

CUE sad trombone.

[surreal1272]

2 hours ago, smk4565 said:

$59k includes $8,000 worth of self driving hardware to make this car fully autonomous, which isn't even available yet.  Even at $56k, the Model 3 is more advanced than GM's Super Cruise and has more range than any EV outside of a $135k Model S P100D.  

So I question why doesn't the Bolt go 0-60 in under 5 seconds, why doesn't the Bolt have all wheel drive (which the Model 3 will), why doesn't the Bolt have over 300 mile range, why doesn't the Bolt have Cadillac's Super Cruise now before even Cadillac gets it on the CT6.  Oh right, because of cost and they don't want the Bolt to cost $65k.  

The Model 3 has to have some compromises to sell at $35k, even fully loaded it is $59k which isn't a bad price for an EV with that kind of range and ability to drive itself.  And Motor Trend says the Model 3 handles better than the Alfa Romeo Guilia which is the best handling 4 door car on the market right now.

So I question why you continue to move the bar when it doesn't suit your agenda. 

 

For example, for that range increase you bring up, you have to spend $9K more. 

 

Why doesn't it offer more range when it's the same price as the Bolt while being less versatile and far more spartan on standard features and appearance?

 

And again, by your own admission this will be for the grocery getter crowd so why try to upsell on its handling when those same folks could care less while wanting more cargo room to haul those groceries?

 

See how that bar can be moved back to its original place now?

[G. David Felt]

4 hours ago, smk4565 said:

$59k includes $8,000 worth of self driving hardware to make this car fully autonomous, which isn't even available yet.  Even at $56k, the Model 3 is more advanced than GM's Super Cruise and has more range than any EV outside of a $135k Model S P100D.  

So I question why doesn't the Bolt go 0-60 in under 5 seconds, why doesn't the Bolt have all wheel drive (which the Model 3 will), why doesn't the Bolt have over 300 mile range, why doesn't the Bolt have Cadillac's Super Cruise now before even Cadillac gets it on the CT6.  Oh right, because of cost and they don't want the Bolt to cost $65k.  

The Model 3 has to have some compromises to sell at $35k, even fully loaded it is $59k which isn't a bad price for an EV with that kind of range and ability to drive itself.  And Motor Trend says the Model 3 handles better than the Alfa Romeo Guilia which is the best handling 4 door car on the market right now.

WOW, You must have DUMB blinders on. 0-60 in 5.6 sec and that matches the BOLT.

Second, 220 mile range, Fails to match or best BOLT, 238 miles Highway, 255 miles City.

The Motor Trend is all subjective as the Guilia sucks and is NOT the best handling 4 Door auto out there.

Why not buck up to the fact of your HATRED for anything GM that has trumped MB and Tesla. Better yet, take a Go Pro and go test drive the Guilia and post your own reactions to the auto than just spew out others subjective rant.

[regfootball]

On 7/29/2017 at 9:13 PM, smk4565 said:

I am not a fan of no speedometer or gauges in front of the steering wheel, and the interior is plain, but other than that I think they nailed it.  They had to keep the cost low somehow.  For $40k you get the luxury package and a solid performing car.  The MT write up was quite good.  If you don't care about auto pilot it is easy to keep the cost down.  Even with 220 miles per day driving, that is 80,000 miles per year.  Even the base car has enough range for 99% of driving.  Suprcharge it if you have to drive more than 200 miles in a day.

I think they can easily sell 5,000 cars a month, probably even 10,000 a month, I expect this car to sell like hotcakes.

To me honestly as big an issue if not bigger is if the Tesla dealers are geared up in terms of proper sales and service to deal with the additional volume.

Tesla dealer near me is in an old crappy office industrial warehouse building in an industrial park.  Its a small location without a lot of parking and space and who knows what they have for service bay.  And they probably have a spartan showroom and not much office space.

Fine if you're a boutique kit car seller selling to first adopters but the meat of the car market wants a convenient clean and accessible facility to shop from.  If Tesla is tripling their sales but still trying to run out of compromised locations, their customer satsifaction with sales and service can easily ruin whatever people feel about the car itself.

People seem to be saying the future of Tesla is beholden to the release of this model 3 all by itself.  As much as people think you can just do everything on line and clerk it out of a warehouse, there is value in the quality of the facility and service that has a huge impact on brand equity over time.  Tesla can easily blow whatever amazing cred the car has itself by not being able to do any kind of decent job selling and servicing the thing.  If they come off as unprofessional in that aspect when the sales volume hits, or if their d-ships are perceived as crapholes, this can hurt them more than it can help.  I honestly believe the sales and service and dealer experience if it is perceived as subpar has the potential to ruin the whole company.

It doesn't even matter that they are trying their own business model here.  If their own unique business model has flaws vs customer expectations this can take them down entirely.

[daves87rs]

2 hours ago, Intrepidation said:

CUE sad trombone.

And end up a curly CUE?

[oldshurst442]

5 hours ago, regfootball said:

Tesla dealer near me is in an old crappy office industrial warehouse building in an industrial park.  Its a small location without a lot of parking and space and who knows what they have for service bay.  And they probably have a spartan showroom and not much office space.

Fine if you're a boutique kit car seller selling to first adopters but the meat of the car market wants a convenient clean and accessible facility to shop from.

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, oldshurst442 said:

That is a fancy dealership, have not seen one like this before. Washington state are all retail like stores at the malls here and Pet Boys is their service centers. I honestly have not had a good experience going to Pet Boys to get auto parts, rather use Napa or even O'Reilly's. 

[Robert Hall]

This is the Cleveland area Tesla store...

[oldshurst442]

Montreal's Tesla store is biggest in North America...but it will lose that title, or maybe it did already to San Francisco.

They cater well to their customers knowing which customer base will flourish the most.  If the acceptance of Tesla is so-so in certain markets...I am not surprised to learn that the Tesla stores in that area are so-so as well...

I am surprised however that Seattle does not get a lavish store like San Francisco or Montreal... 

Edited July 31, 2017 by oldshurst442

[balthazar]

I'm curious as to what's going on in this area- looks very unfinished...

[Robert Hall]

^ looks like a seat belt attachment point

[smk4565]

13 hours ago, surreal1272 said:

So I question why you continue to move the bar when it doesn't suit your agenda. 

 

For example, for that range increase you bring up, you have to spend $9K more. 

 

Why doesn't it offer more range when it's the same price as the Bolt while being less versatile and far more spartan on standard features and appearance?

 

And again, by your own admission this will be for the grocery getter crowd so why try to upsell on its handling when those same folks could care less while wanting more cargo room to haul those groceries?

 

See how that bar can be moved back to its original place now?

The $59k price includes the extended range.  The $35k Model 3 and $38k Bolt in base from both have 60 kWh batteries.  At $40k the Tesla has the same stuff you get in a Bolt Premier for $42k, add $1,000 to the Tesla for metallic paint if you want.    So they cost the same with similar options, the Tesla is a rear drive sedan, the Bolt is a fwd Hatchback, buyers can choose which body style they prefer.

You can't compare a 310 mile Tesla with a 5.1 0-60 to a 235 mile Bolt with a 0-60 of 6.5 seconds and say the Tesla should cost the same as the Bolt.

[surreal1272]

12 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

The $59k price includes the extended range.  The $35k Model 3 and $38k Bolt in base from both have 60 kWh batteries.  At $40k the Tesla has the same stuff you get in a Bolt Premier for $42k, add $1,000 to the Tesla for metallic paint if you want.    So they cost the same with similar options, the Tesla is a rear drive sedan, the Bolt is a fwd Hatchback, buyers can choose which body style they prefer.

You can't compare a 310 mile Tesla with a 5.1 0-60 to a 235 mile Bolt with a 0-60 of 6.5 seconds and say the Tesla should cost the same as the Bolt.

The hell you can't compare them because you just did. 0-60 is not everything and the base model 3 is 5.6 seconds. You have to pay more money to unlock more power out of it. Again, the Bolt has a longer range than the standard 3, more cargo room and a far better service and dealer network, all things that are truly important to those grocery getter you referenced earlier but now are trying to side step. 

 

Oh and you will never find a 3 at $35K, never. 

 

MT had no problem comparing the Bolt to the S not too long ago and it held up quite well against it yet you think you can't compare it to a 3? 

https://www.google.com/amp/www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/bolt-ev/2017/2017-chevrolet-bolt-ev-vs-2016-tesla-model-s-60/amp/

[balthazar]

1 hour ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

^ looks like a seat belt attachment point

Ya. That's what it is.
The question is- why does it appear so crude and 'exposed'?

- - - - -

Just read elsewhere last night that Musk stated the lowest sticker Model 3 for a while is going to be about $44K. Jacking the price by $9K is a bit of a 'bait & switch' move. AWD-folk are going to have to wait a full year. This appears to be shaping up like another typical Tesla launch.

Edited July 31, 2017 by balthazar

[G. David Felt]

Seattle Tesla in an old brick building

Tesla Bellevue in Bellevue Mall.

They clearly sell a ton of them as you see them everywhere, but the stores are nothing like what has been posted above.

[Robert Hall]

This is the Tesla store in the Scottsdale Fashion Square mall in downtown Scottsdale, across the street from my office.

 

Edited July 31, 2017 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[balthazar]

Not much in the way of Tesla stores in the most densely populated state of NJ.
I passed one dealer in north Jersey, was a typical auto dealership building- nice but nothing special.
 

[oldshurst442]

We have shopping mall boutiques too.

 

And yes, the Montreal flag ship store is nice. To be fair though, that dealership that Tesla took over housed Chrysler.

This is that dealership under Sergio...

During the 1 million dollar renovations

The dealership under Elon...

 

This was what Tesla had as their flagship store in the Montreal region before this one. In the suburb of Laval

 

 

Edited July 31, 2017 by oldshurst442

[balthazar]

Interesting article on the backlog of Model 3 deposit cancellations :

https://www.wired.com/story/canceling-your-model-3-deposit-dont-count-on-a-timely-refund/

[A Horse With No Name]

22 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

Im excited for the CT5 and Im curious to see what size it will be...

Wait a second!!!

 

 

 

Wrong thread....I thought this one was the Cadillac thread...

SARCASM POINTING TO THE OBVIOUS THAT THE REAL CADILLAC THREAD HAS

 

 

 

That is every thread here....in a good way and bad way both...

10 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Interesting article on the backlog of Model 3 deposit cancellations :

https://www.wired.com/story/canceling-your-model-3-deposit-dont-count-on-a-timely-refund/

Given their financial situation...people should get out while they ahve a chance. Owning an orphan car where one cannot get parts or service is no fun at all..

31 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

We have shopping mall boutiques too.

 

And yes, the Montreal flag ship store is nice. To be fair though, that dealership that Tesla took over housed Chrysler.

This is that dealership under Sergio...

During the 1 million dollar renovations

The dealership under Elon...

 

This was what Tesla had as their flagship store in the Montreal region before this one. In the suburb of Laval

 

 

Three years from now, when FCA is in deep crap and Tesla is in deeper crap, people can go to that site when it is converted to Jo Ann fabrics to buy yarn and knitting supplies...

[smk4565]

i think they will top 100,000 Model 3 sales in the US for 2018.  That is nearing 10,000 units a month which is huge for a $40k car.

[surreal1272]

I think it will be less than half that (if that) due to well known supply constraints and their history of underproduction. 

[balthazar]

Musk is sticking with "500K Teslas" in '18. Not going to even be close, IMO.
Let's say the S and X stay steady (frankly, I think there's going to be a drop in the S for the 3), I still don't see more than 50K Model 3s next year. He's only sold 30 pilot cars and it's already August.

[Robert Hall]

They are building them in the old NUMMI plant, aren't they?  Wonder what it's capacity is...wonder if he plans to outsource some assembly to a third party like Magna or Valmet.  

[A Horse With No Name]

1 hour ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

They are building them in the old NUMMI plant, aren't they?  Wonder what it's capacity is...wonder if he plans to outsource some assembly to a third party like Magna or Valmet.  

Seems rational.

2 hours ago, surreal1272 said:

I think it will be less than half that (if that) due to well known supply constraints and their history of underproduction. 

They will be lucky to build fifty thousand model 3 Tesla's.

[surreal1272]

23 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Seems rational.

They will be lucky to build fifty thousand model 3 Tesla's.

I agree. I was trying to be slightly optimistic though lol. 

[balthazar]

This echoes my exact criticism of the Model 3 - people PRIMARILY buy autos based on price. Once the giddy moment of potentially signing for a Model 3 passes, the hard look at features & amenities vs. price is going to wipe a LOT of smiles off a lot of faces :

https://www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2017/7/31/16069960/tesla-model-3-not-luxury-car-options-model-s

[G. David Felt]

19 hours ago, balthazar said:

Interesting article on the backlog of Model 3 deposit cancellations :

https://www.wired.com/story/canceling-your-model-3-deposit-dont-count-on-a-timely-refund/

Thank you for posting, this was an interesting read and confirms my feeling that half of the reservations are probably canceled and at best maybe 40-60,000 are left on the books. Only die hard fans or people who think they can flip for a profit will stick with buying one.

40 minutes ago, balthazar said:

This echoes my exact criticism of the Model 3 - people PRIMARILY buy autos based on price. Once the giddy moment of potentially signing for a Model 3 passes, the hard look at features & amenities vs. price is going to wipe a LOT of smiles off a lot of faces :

https://www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2017/7/31/16069960/tesla-model-3-not-luxury-car-options-model-s

And this just proves the BOLT that much better of a deal and versatile auto compared to the Tesla 3. 1873 BOLT's werre sold last month. August every state in the nation will have them, so be interesting to see how many get sold.

[balthazar]

Just in the last week, I'd seen the Model 3 reservation numbers at either "500K" or "180K", so I don't know what's accurate anymore.
I doubt half have been cancelled- I would believe 15% from the initial placement... but now that hard numbers are out there WRT $, I expect it to edge up from that some. I think it's realistic to guess 25%. Still not bad at all if indeed the total surpassed 500K- Tesla could use a break WRT production ramp-up. Frankly, they could probably use a break of 25% off of 180K.

I can tell you this IMO tho- a company that takes a brand new model and goes from a previous production of 50K to a theoretical 500K the next year.... I would want no part of a vehicle produced that first year.

So how does the reservation thing work- if you have a 'ticket' and your number comes up, do you merely have a choice out of a parking lot of new Model 3s?

[regfootball]

don't cancel your Tesla order, you won't get your $$$$$  !!!!!!

 

https://www.wired.com/story/canceling-your-model-3-deposit-dont-count-on-a-timely-refund/

[G. David Felt]

On 8/1/2017 at 10:53 AM, balthazar said:

Just in the last week, I'd seen the Model 3 reservation numbers at either "500K" or "180K", so I don't know what's accurate anymore.
I doubt half have been cancelled- I would believe 15% from the initial placement... but now that hard numbers are out there WRT $, I expect it to edge up from that some. I think it's realistic to guess 25%. Still not bad at all if indeed the total surpassed 500K- Tesla could use a break WRT production ramp-up. Frankly, they could probably use a break of 25% off of 180K.

I can tell you this IMO tho- a company that takes a brand new model and goes from a previous production of 50K to a theoretical 500K the next year.... I would want no part of a vehicle produced that first year.

So how does the reservation thing work- if you have a 'ticket' and your number comes up, do you merely have a choice out of a parking lot of new Model 3s?

The coworkers who have reservations have told me that when their number comes up, then they get access to the ordering site and can finalize their configuration of their car. At this time, they are mid level and premium level auto's as has been stated, so those that only want the base car will have to wait till the end of 2018 to be able to order their auto and then take delivery in 2019 some time.

Interesting is what I say!

[balthazar]

I don't believe it's as much of "want a base car" as it will prove to be "can't afford a $50K 'affordable' car".