Tesla continues to be the best selling EV in the US. As Tesla ramps up to 20,000 model 3 production per month, the numbers will continue to grow in the last half of 2018. Numbers compiled by InsideEVs:
Worldwide counts are what really matter, especially with regard to cost-reduction efforts. Nissan, Toyota, and Mitsubishi have a strong presence elsewhere that isn't reflected in those numbers. The situation here will change quite a bit in 2019 too, as the tax-credits phaseout.
I have read about this as well. It may be unfortunate timing for those who are on the waiting list for the '35K car'. Here's How Tesla's Tax Credits Will Phase Out -- The Motley Fool Tesla To Sell 200,000th EV In U.S. In 2018, Tax Credit Phase Out Follows Is this true? Seems like this phaseout may make affect Tesla quite a bit..especially for those banking on getting the credit on the low end model. Legitimate question here...not trying to incite fury.
This is old news, and was reported at the time of the roll out. Those wanting the$35k car thinking they would get the full $7500 were in denial or simply not paying attention.
If a person could put down $1000 for a car that might have taken over two years to come to market, the actual amount of the tax credit is not a high priority to them. Some were putting that down to simply get a tax credit. With the preorder numbers, it was assumed not getting on the list meant losing out on any credits.
I'm pretty confident that may 'low end' preorders did also bank on the tax credit to make it affordable. Only time will tell though.
The $50k mode wasn't originally going to be available now; none were. Claims that there will be no $35k version is FUD at this point.
Some people who made a reservation were counting on getting a Tesla for $27,500 (35,000 - 7,500). Some will get that $27.5 BEV and some won't. Those that don't will get a Tesla for $31,250 (35,000 - 3750) or for $33,225 (35,000 - 1,875). It depends on the phase out of the tax credit. The best guess right now is that the full tax credit of $7500 will phase out on Dec. 31, 2018, the $3750 phase out on Jun 30, 2019, and the $1875 phase out on Dec, 31, 2019. Yes, there have been some who made a late reservation (a year or more after introduction) who only wanted a $27.5K Tesla, who have already bailed. Tesla hasn't said how many cancellations they have received, but those who can read the tea leaves better than I have estimated that number is around 5%. But nobody knows. Those cancellations have already been cooked into the Tesla books and Tesla is still overwhelmed with new reservations (like the second one I made two months ago). There are a number of errors in the Motley Fool article written last February. It was written with a bias since they had predicted that Tesla was going to be bankrupt by now. They write articles to fulfill their prophecy. They are not a reputable "news" source since they try to manipulate markets for their financial benefit. Don't get sucked in. Tell that to the guy who put down $1000 for 2+ years in what amounts to a non-interest bearing account. If $1000 is so meaningless, why didn't you put down a deposit 2 years ago?
Question is, is the Tesla 3 in the price range of the average working man, with or without the tax credit. Just because they want it doesn't mean they can afford it.
I don't believe the Model 3's market is, or ever was for the "average working man". It is targeted at the entry level luxury market.
If you are honestly saying that handing over $1000 to some company, which has detracters saying they'll be bankrupt before you get your car, is the same as clicking a box on website, then there is no reason to continue this discussion with you. Is a BMW 3 series or Mercedes C class? That is the segment the Model 3 is in, and Tesla has said so from the beginning. It was never meant to be a BEV for the masses. The fact that it is cheaper than the Model S does mean more can afford it. As the only cheaper BEV with more infrastructure for long trips, people might be more willing to spend the amount than they would have been for a gas powered car.
Then why are you here? Sour grapes. You know you REALLY want one or else you wouldn't be hanging out here.
