Do you have a source for that? According to https://mashable.com/2017/08/01/tesla-model-3-true-cost-more..., the Model 3 only costs $49,000 if you buy it with an extra-large battery pack and Autopilot. Those are cool, of course, but it's still a perfectly usable car without them (220 mile range). The base price is indeed $35,000, and that doesn't include tax incentives or any other "cheating".
I'm really surprised people don't know this. But I was an early Model 3 deposit holder. I had my deposit refunded this week since I placed it based on the $35k promise, not the current situation.
The standard battery pack is not available yet (my date estimate for this slipped from Early 2018 to Late 2018).
Premium interior is also required.
"Enhanced Autopilot" is $5k.
$35k base
$9k required big battery
$5k required interior upgrade
$5k enhanced autopilot (which everyone probably wants)
$54k total
Add $1k if you want a color other than black.
Should get even more interesting when the $7500 federal tax credit phase-out begins middle of this year.
Costlier versions of the Roadster, Model S, and Model X were available before the base versions were. If Tesla had done the opposite with the Model 3, that would have been the exception.
You're wrong about all of these: Tesla was clear that the more expensive Model 3's would ship first, and S and X both shipped the most expensive ones first.
Model X deposits ranged from $5k for the base model to $40k for the Signature model. Those deposits sat for up to 3 years for early reservations.
The upcoming Roadster requires $50k and $250k deposits.
The upcoming Semi requires a $20k deposit.
The original Roadster also required a deposit.
I'm unsure of the original Model S.
Tesla's current estimate for base Model 3's is "late 2018" for early reservation holders. Take that with a grain of salt given how reliably they announce unreliable release dates.
This is incorrect. As soon as you place your deposit, you're in the queue. The queue tool didn't exist until roughly Summer 2017, but deposits started March 2016. There was a period of more than a year where everything was opaque.
On another thread I asked if you have a source for this - I'll ask again, because I can't find one. I didn't follow the Model S/X stuff too closely leading up to the Model 3 (I don't spend that much money on a depreciating asset). I did put my Model 3 deposit down the first day possible, and I do not remember any such "clarity" you describe around timing and expectations.
Then again, originally my standard range Model 3 was estimated "Feb-Apr 2018" or something like that. It now just says "Late 2018" and I have no faith that will be met, either.
Hah, one of the many reasons being scammed into buying a model S was they promised Tesla owners would have first access to Model 3 back in Oct'16 but they failed to mention that the base $35 + 5K autopilot model would be another year later after the $49+5K model
The article cites the reasons why the author arrived at the conclusion. I think usually articles in Economist are fairly accurate. So keen to know why you think this to be a bad article.
