[daveo4Bolt]

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2018/0...om-model-3-page-insists-plans-havent-changed/

wow - simply wow - not surprising - but they actually went there - this will be some more fun to watch!

 

[TimBolt]

I’m shocked! Shocked!

 

[bro1999]

That's what they should have done from the beginning, instead of duping people into thinking the 35k 3 would be available soon after launch.

 

[shotel]

wow - simply wow - not surprising - but they actually went there - this will be some more fun to watch!

Not surprising at all. I will give Tesla a pass on this, as I believe they were sincere in estimating high volume production output that would have justified some minor profit at this base price. The demand was there, but the production at scale execution was an utter failure in the very short time frame they had.

 

[Dimitrij]

"Model 3 achieves up to 310 miles of range while starting at only $35,000 before incentives"

I am not quite sure how, but apparently hundreds of thousands of grown-up people somehow understood this as a promise of a $35K car … the joke is on them, though. Consider this: would any person in their right mind interpret the phrase below as a false advertisement? No-one would ever assume it says you can get a mcmansion for the starting price.

"In our town, you can buy a home up to 4,000 square feet, starting at only $69,000.00

 

[Terry Hancock]

The World of false advertising, deception, and mind control was at work within commerce, thousands of years ago, and was invented maybe even before politics...maybe... How about simultaneously?

 

[DaV8or]

This is the sound of slow back peddling.

 

[TotaledJetta]

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2018/0...om-model-3-page-insists-plans-havent-changed/

wow - simply wow - not surprising - but they actually went there - this will be some more fun to watch!

Let's see. 400,000 put down $1,000 or a $400,000,000 no interest loan to Tesla on the promise of a $35,000 car. Hmmm. Smart marketing or consumer fraud?:nerd:

 

[redpoint5]

Let's see. 400,000 put down $1,000 or a $400,000,000 no interest loan to Tesla on the promise of a $35,000 car. Hmmm. Smart marketing or consumer fraud?:nerd:

Smart marketing. Tesla only has to deliver a $35k model sometime and that sometime is never specified. Reservation holders may drop their reservation at any time and get their money back. Not saying there isn't some slimy marketing going on, but no laws are broken. In the scheme of things, Tesla is among the least offensive when it comes to marketing tactics and business practices.

 

[bro1999]

This is the sound of slow back peddling.

 

[discodanman45]

400,000 reservation holders and I could get one in a few months now after they sold about 25,000 units in the US. They are amping production this year until the tax credit starts to go away. After the sales dries up for the $50 to $60,000 model, they will bring out the $40,000 model. I can't call it the $35,000 model because who wants a Tesla without autopilot?

 

[daveo4Bolt]

ultimately I don't think it matters - I doubt there was that much demand for the $35k unit - and there seems to be enough demand for 40-60k cars that Tesla could do just fine in that range - the real issue in my mind is how many people will choose a Tesla when there is a $7,500 rebate to be had with other manufactures.

 

[DucRider]

ultimately I don't think it matters - I doubt there was that much demand for the $35k unit - and there seems to be enough demand for 40-60k cars that Tesla could do just fine in that range - the real issue in my mind is how many people will choose a Tesla when there is a $7,500 rebate to be had with other manufactures.

The order process for LR Model 3's is now open to anyone. Which implies the 400K (or whatever number is currently being used) reservation holders that have not yet placed an order are waiting for the cheaper unit (maybe with a few options). Not nearly as much demand for the LR, but enough to keep their tent city busy for the time being and paint a rosy picture for investors.

 

[Raymondjram]

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2018/0...om-model-3-page-insists-plans-havent-changed/

wow - simply wow - not surprising - but they actually went there - this will be some more fun to watch!

This was news expected to happen. Tesla is still losing millions per month, so it is a normal business decision to delay selling their lowest priced models and just sell the higher priced to increase income and reduce losses. This will get worse when the tax credit drops to half next January, and to a quarter by the end of 2019.

By that time, GM will be reducing prices (probably by $3,500 or more) so anyone who wants a +200 mile EV below $35,000 has only one choice: the Chevy Bolt EV!!

 

[Raymondjram]

I can't call it the $35,000 model because who wants a Tesla without autopilot?

I do if it is free! Just ship it over!!

 

[NewsCoulomb]

As I mentioned in a Model 3 forum, this is less about the fact that a $35,000 Model 3 won't be available for another year or so than it is about the fact that hundreds of thousands of people plopped down a $1,000 reservation because they thought they were getting a $25,000 Model 3 ($35,000 car with ~$10,000 in credits and incentives).

That dream is now gone. When even Tesla, who are extremely optimistic about their own delivery times, states that the small-battery Model 3 won't be available in time to take advantage of the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit, you know it's not happening. Essentially, so much for the idea that Tesla was going to be able to produce a superior EV to GM at a lower price.

 

[DaV8or]

400,000 reservation holders and I could get one in a few months now after they sold about 25,000 units in the US. They are amping production this year until the tax credit starts to go away. After the sales dries up for the $50 to $60,000 model, they will bring out the $40,000 model. I can't call it the $35,000 model because who wants a Tesla without autopilot?

I totally would if the car were configured differently. I didn't buy a Model 3 because in order of importance-

1. It is not a hatchback, or wagon.
2. It has a goofy touchscreen interface that I don't like the look of, or the idea in general.
3. I would not be getting the $7500 federal credit.

If they had made it a hatchback, or much preferably a wagon, with a dash layout similar to the Bolt, or Model S and if they were to commit to the lower priced cars from the get go, I would have bought one and I would not have bought the Autopilot. I have driven almost 40 years now and I have never even driven a car with ACC, not even a rental, so clearly Autopilot is not a must have. I would like that feature, but $5000 is a rip off. I would have bought the base car with the only option being an actual color. Likely blue.

I would have loved the Autopilot. I would have loved the LR battery. I would have loved the premium interior, but all those things are way too expansive. I really refuse to sink that much money into a daily driver.

 

[psyflyjohn]

Fascinating to watch and read about how Musk is jacking customers around. When I got my Bolt 1 1/2 yrs. ago, I priced and constructed it online, then went to the dealer to show him what I wanted, and Walla ! Had the car in a week. Remember those days?

 

[bro1999]

Oh btw, Saint Elon is a GOP/Cheetoman. Mind-blowing.
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaig...ted-nearly-40k-to-republican-pac-filings-show

 

[DaV8or]

Fascinating to watch and read about how Musk is jacking customers around. When I got my Bolt 1 1/2 yrs. ago, I priced and constructed it online, then went to the dealer to show him what I wanted, and Walla ! Had the car in a week. Remember those days?

Yes, an you could have walked in there and told them that you wanted the stripped down base model only and you could have gotten that too, although likely a special order in reality.