8 ms·

For the model 3, the SR+ dropped ~$1k (now starting at $38,990) partially offsetting the $1875 decrease in tax credit which began July 1st. The AWD dropped ~$2k

For the model 3, the SR+ dropped ~$1k (now starting at $38,990) partially offsetting the $1875 decrease in tax credit which began July 1st. The AWD dropped ~$2k (now starting at $47,990) and the Performance dropped ~$5k (now starting at $54,990). Tesla Pricing history: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1F5IQOynIawoXiJPVarLDgPQDJAdzY8b5Vamw-Vf3eSY/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1F5IQOynIawoXiJPVarLD...

electriclove 7y ago
The pricing for the higher margin trims offers amazing value for those focused on performance. Is there much competition for that kind of performance at this pricing? Model 3 Performance at $54,990: 0-60 in 3.2s Model S Performance now includes Ludicrous at $99,990: 0-60 in 2.4s Model X Performance now includes Ludicrous at $104,990: 0-60 in 2.7s
- PinguTS 7y ago
  But don't use it to often in a row, because the battery will be getting hot and will limit the power output to level, which is way below any term related to performance.
  - zaroth 7y ago
    True for the old Model S, but not a factor on the Model 3 unless you are on the track. Bjørn Nyland has an amazing series of EV videos (of course, mostly Tesla). He recently set the 24-hour EV range record, and has milllions of views. He's also funny as hell to listen ramble on and on. Here is him trying to overheat a Tesla Model 3 [1], but you could spend an afternoon on his channel watching him drive around [2]. [1] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4oeV0Cgyk0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4oeV0Cgyk0 [2] - https://www.youtube.com/user/bjornnyland/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/bjornnyland/videos
  - gruez 7y ago
    Sounds like how "turbo"/"boost" works on modern CPUs.
  - vvanders 7y ago
    Unless you're on a track you won't be getting usage patterns that kick in thermal limiting. If your planning on buying a car to track a 4 door, 5k lbs car isn't exactly the best choice.
    - deleted 7y ago
      [deleted]
    - lazerpants 7y ago
      Motor Trend's track test impression of the M3P was actually quite positive: "In our testing, we found the Model 3 Performance to be a joy around the track." https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/road-tests/a22625274/tesla-model-3-performance-track-test/ https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/road-tests/a22625274/t...
  - Lendal 7y ago
    You have to be going ~160 mph for several minutes to induce the overheat power reduction mode. In the US it would take driving on an oval racetrack. I enjoy watching YouTube videos of people running these on German highways to get them to overheat. Those are quite fun videos to watch. I highly recommend.
    - Tomte 7y ago
      I would appreciate American tourists not to abuse the Autobahn as their racetrack. And remember, even when there is no speed limit, Richtgeschwindigkeit is 80 mph, and if you're going faster, the judge will apportion more liability to you in case of an accident, even if you've driven perfectly.
    - dsfyu404ed 7y ago
      If you trash the aerodynamics (i.e. get a roof rack and put something on it) you can probably overheat it at normal highway speeds (i.e. 80mph) given a few miles of uphill.
    - PinguTS 7y ago
      May be not 160 mph, but I go 120 mph regularly. I don't need any Youtube for this. BTW: Model S max speed is 155 mph.
  - electriclove 7y ago
    I think that may have been the old S. The reports I've read have not seen that issue with the 3.
  - leesec 7y ago
    This is a nice troll but yeah the Performance Model 3 is literally a supercar for 55k~. I have the slow one and it's Very Performant, so much so that I rarely get a chance to use the speed.
    - supergauntlet 7y ago
      > literally a supercar for 55k~. Sorry but this isn't accurate at all. It's an electric muscle car. It goes fast in a straight line and that's it. It can't corner, it can't sustain the acceleration for long periods of time due to overheating (which is completely reasonable - it wasn't designed for that), it's heavy as hell. It's just really really good at flooring it from a standstill or low speed, cruising, and highway acceleration (50 mph to 90 mph). This isn't a knock on any Tesla, but they're grand tourers at best. Certainly not a supercar. You can't compare these with something that can actually corner at all.
      - lexs 7y ago
        Rimac would be the supercar equivalent for EVs I guess
      - zaroth 7y ago
        This is a fully stock (even tires) Tesla Model 3P running Laguna Seca in 1:46.1 at the end of a long day of racing BMWs. Just for fun the driver wanted to take his Telsa out, and his boss is riding shotgun. [1] The production EV record is held by a non-stock TM3P (upgraded suspension, brakes, and tires) at 1:37.5 [2]. By comparison, here are a list of Laguna Seca records [3]. [1] - https://youtu.be/_DZSMxrHyHo https://youtu.be/_DZSMxrHyHo [2] - https://youtu.be/D1MDCPk-7Yw https://youtu.be/D1MDCPk-7Yw [3] - https://i.imgsafe.org/7d/7d96bea0ab.png https://i.imgsafe.org/7d/7d96bea0ab.png
        supergauntlet 7y ago
        This is proving my point. Look at the lap times on Laguna. https://fastestlaps.com/tracks/laguna-seca-post-1988 https://fastestlaps.com/tracks/laguna-seca-post-1988 Most of the stuff around the 1:45-1:47 mark is a hot hatch, a grand tourer, or a muscle car. Seriously, you gotta understand, I'm super hyped for the electric GT series with the Model S to take off, but these are not supercars. They're comparable to an M series BMW or a nice muscle car, which is fine.
  - ovi256 7y ago
    That happens with ICE vehicles too, Grand Tour got several to overheat and go into "limp home" mode. They're also not designed to be run at a high load factor.
- navigatesol 7y ago
  Since when is 0-60 the go-to stat for performance? It's once metric of many in how a car performs. And yes, there is plenty of performance competition at those prices. The 100D runs a 10.5 quarter mile, which is really good, but not world beating. Factor in any of the competitors pricing their cars below production cost and the landscape looks much different.
  - mywittyname 7y ago
    A 10.5 is an INSANE quarter mile time. That's like track prepped sport bike speeds. I go to the strip several times a year and I'm pretty sure running a sub-11 quarter mile would scare me. This is coming from someone who drives a reasonably quick car (12.7ish). I do agree that 0-60 is a silly performance benchmark, since it measures traction more than power in modern cars. But performance Telsas are fast by any measure.
    - tvon 7y ago
      The M5 does a 10.5 1/4 mile, it is a very impressive time for a production vehicle but it's not insane. A lot of production sports bikes are into the 9s. * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fastest_production_cars_by_acceleration#By_1/4_mile_or_400_metre_times_(11_seconds_or_less)[ii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fastest_production_car... * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fastest_production_motorcycles_by_acceleration#By_quarter-mile_time,_12_seconds_or_less https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fastest_production_mot... edit: Actually 10.5 is pretty insane for a production vehicle but we live in a time with a lot of insanely fast and overpowered cars.
      - lazyjones 7y ago
        > The M5 does a 10.5 1/4 mile Source? On your wikipedia page it says 10.9 ... Also, it's currently more expensive than a Model S Performance.
        tvon 7y ago
        Source was just a google of M5, but you're right that page says 10.9. It was an argument against the "insanity" of a 10.5 time, you're right it costs quite a bit more.
- knd775 7y ago
  0-60 isn't everything. There are a few better performing cars at that and lower price points.
  - karkisuni 7y ago
    genuinely curious, like what? I think they're even more competitive up to speeds under 60. Are you saying quarter mile is just as important? Or that acceleration itself isn't everything in "performance"?
    - hnaccy 7y ago
      A 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE is ~70k and is faster at Laguna Seca and Nurburgring.
      - zaroth 7y ago
        Right, but that's not under $55k. There's no question you can get a car that will beat a TM3P at Nurburgring for more money.... The question is, can you find one for the same or less money? Next, is it one you can comfortably pickup groceries and take the family for a road trip?
    - mdorazio 7y ago
      Acceleration is nice for drag racing or beating the guy next to you at a stop light. If you actually want to go to a track or just enjoy hitting some windy mountain roads, weight, handling, and braking become a lot more important.
      - dsfyu404ed 7y ago
        For normal every day driving pretty much every car handles well enough. Few people are taking corners with the tires screaming (and those that are get looked down upon of being unsafe or whatever). It's acceleration that really makes a car more convenient to daily drive. When you have tons of acceleration things like taking turns into fast moving traffic or merging around that dunce who decided to come to a stop at the end of the ramp become non-issues.
- namdnay 7y ago
  I don't know how US car prices work. Are those figures the real amount you will end up spending? Or do we need to add taxes/tips/fees? Looking at the french prices, the model 3 performance (3.4s) is 62000 euros once the ecobonus has been deducted - that's nearly 70k USD!
  - lathiat 7y ago
    I don’t know about cars but most US prices are quoted before tax. Even for gum at the store counter.
    - pwinnski 7y ago
      Tax levels vary by state, and sometimes by country or city as well. (Texas levies a 6.5% sales tax on all cars statewide, the local taxes don't apply to car purchases.) There's no way to quote a "U.S. price" that includes taxes.
  - rockinghigh 7y ago
    From these prices you need to add state registration fees ($100-$500), destination & doc fee ($1,200), and sales tax (0-10% depending on the state and city).
  - zaroth 7y ago
    You have to add in the delivery and registration fees, add in state sales tax and city/town excise tax, but then subtract the Federal and possibly state-level tax credits. So depending on the state your final price could be higher or even lower than the sticker.
- leetcrew 7y ago
  > The pricing for the higher margin trims offers amazing value for those focused on performance. Is there much competition for that kind of performance at this pricing? if your definition of "performance" includes anything other than launching 0-60 a couple times, then yes, there are plenty of ice cars that offer the same level of performance at or below the Tesla price point. even if all you care about is that 0-60 number, it comes with caveats. to actually get the advertised number, you need to wait 30+ min to heat up the battery, and you can't do it more than a couple times before performance degrades. it will be a while before EVs can match the agility and sustained performance of their ice counterparts.
Shivetya 7y ago
FWIW, I purchased a Tesla Model 3 LR edition back in September 2018 with enhanced auto pilot and later added in full self driving at the 2k discount price in 2019. So that car would have be $57,500 for which I took the $7500 Federal Tax Credit on. The LR is no longer so I would end up with an AWD which I would not want, but if equipped as before it would be $54,990. This used to be a $5000 option over the price of the LR. If my TM3 were totaled today I would not buy one if I had to choose AWD, first it is a feature I have no use for where I live nor do I want the efficiency loss compared to the LR. So has there been much movement? TBH, in a few years my replacement likely will not be a Tesla, there are many things to like about the TM3 but road noise and lack of full blue tooth audio support are issues I will not suffer long. This company has its priorities ass backwards at times, apparently fart gags and video games are more important than delivering promised voice commands and then doing a proper blue tooth audio stack. When 20k cars do both features better its disappointing.
- dstroot 7y ago
  > This company has its priorities ass backwards at times, apparently fart gags and video games are more important than delivering promised voice commands and then doing a proper blue tooth audio stack. This. It makes It makes me angry when I see those features it reminds me that this is a company not run by adults.
- lobotryas 7y ago
  Voice commands? I’m amazed because I think you’re the first person I’ve seen who likes that feature! Do you also have a digital assistant at home?
  - Shivetya 7y ago
    No, however it was something Elon Musk remarked about to some fanfare when the commands were introduced. Yet there has been no update since then. One would hope you could tell the car to change radio stations, switch to the phone for music, or even control the temperature, but for now we get limited navigation and satellite radio commands. Would I use them, some. However the point was, they don't focus well. Fart gags and video games are not features that make every day driving easier. Having full access to the music on my phone via blue tooth like nearly every other car has had for years would be. Instead I have to use my phone to change play lists which actually is not legal in my state.
zaroth 7y ago
What strikes me in that Google Sheet is the progression over just the last 6 months. I love that they don't constrain themselves to a model year release cycle, and just continuously iterate to provide better performance per dollar. At then end of January, 2019 they were selling a 270 mile range Model S, 0-60 in 4.2, without AP, for $85k. Today for $80k you get 370 miles of range, 0-60 in 3.7, with AP. Obviously the question on everyone's mind is, what are the gross margins? If these are strictly process improvements which are fully maintaining margins, then it is extraordinary progress in 6 months. I would expect that there is some combination of process improvements, technology transfer from Model 3 -> S/X, and at least some margin erosion, particularly as the Federal tax credit continues to wind down. The TM3P for $54,900 is truly an absurdly low price for that level of performance. I'm somewhat shocked it's not at least $57,990, but I understand what they're doing -- it's almost pure margin for them when they get an upsell from LR-AWD to Performance, so the more they can shift the mix to performance the better.
- marvin 7y ago
  I've heard process inefficiencies in their current manufacturing pipeline held as a criticism against Tesla. But while it's less ideal than having all the inefficiencies worked out already, I consider this _promising_. They have produced S&X at around 25% gross margin up until now, IIRC. If there is still relatively low-hanging fruit to be picked, that is another line of defense against being undercut by the competition. As long as a significant part of that gross margin can be put back into capital expenditures (developing new vehicles and infrastructure, developing more manufacturing capacity), things are looking bright for continued EV development and adoption regardless of what the incumbent manufacturers are up to.

electriclove 7y ago

The pricing for the higher margin trims offers amazing value for those focused on performance. Is there much competition for that kind of performance at this pricing? Model 3 Performance at $54,990: 0-60 in 3.2s Model S Performance now includes Ludicrous at $99,990: 0-60 in 2.4s Model X Performance now includes Ludicrous at $104,990: 0-60 in 2.7s

PinguTS 7y ago
But don't use it to often in a row, because the battery will be getting hot and will limit the power output to level, which is way below any term related to performance.
- zaroth 7y ago
  True for the old Model S, but not a factor on the Model 3 unless you are on the track. Bjørn Nyland has an amazing series of EV videos (of course, mostly Tesla). He recently set the 24-hour EV range record, and has milllions of views. He's also funny as hell to listen ramble on and on. Here is him trying to overheat a Tesla Model 3 [1], but you could spend an afternoon on his channel watching him drive around [2]. [1] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4oeV0Cgyk0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4oeV0Cgyk0 [2] - https://www.youtube.com/user/bjornnyland/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/bjornnyland/videos
- gruez 7y ago
  Sounds like how "turbo"/"boost" works on modern CPUs.
- vvanders 7y ago
  Unless you're on a track you won't be getting usage patterns that kick in thermal limiting. If your planning on buying a car to track a 4 door, 5k lbs car isn't exactly the best choice.
  - deleted 7y ago
    [deleted]
  - lazerpants 7y ago
    Motor Trend's track test impression of the M3P was actually quite positive: "In our testing, we found the Model 3 Performance to be a joy around the track." https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/road-tests/a22625274/tesla-model-3-performance-track-test/ https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/road-tests/a22625274/t...
- Lendal 7y ago
  You have to be going ~160 mph for several minutes to induce the overheat power reduction mode. In the US it would take driving on an oval racetrack. I enjoy watching YouTube videos of people running these on German highways to get them to overheat. Those are quite fun videos to watch. I highly recommend.
  - Tomte 7y ago
    I would appreciate American tourists not to abuse the Autobahn as their racetrack. And remember, even when there is no speed limit, Richtgeschwindigkeit is 80 mph, and if you're going faster, the judge will apportion more liability to you in case of an accident, even if you've driven perfectly.
  - dsfyu404ed 7y ago
    If you trash the aerodynamics (i.e. get a roof rack and put something on it) you can probably overheat it at normal highway speeds (i.e. 80mph) given a few miles of uphill.
  - PinguTS 7y ago
    May be not 160 mph, but I go 120 mph regularly. I don't need any Youtube for this. BTW: Model S max speed is 155 mph.
- electriclove 7y ago
  I think that may have been the old S. The reports I've read have not seen that issue with the 3.
- leesec 7y ago
  This is a nice troll but yeah the Performance Model 3 is literally a supercar for 55k~. I have the slow one and it's Very Performant, so much so that I rarely get a chance to use the speed.
  - supergauntlet 7y ago
    > literally a supercar for 55k~. Sorry but this isn't accurate at all. It's an electric muscle car. It goes fast in a straight line and that's it. It can't corner, it can't sustain the acceleration for long periods of time due to overheating (which is completely reasonable - it wasn't designed for that), it's heavy as hell. It's just really really good at flooring it from a standstill or low speed, cruising, and highway acceleration (50 mph to 90 mph). This isn't a knock on any Tesla, but they're grand tourers at best. Certainly not a supercar. You can't compare these with something that can actually corner at all.
    - lexs 7y ago
      Rimac would be the supercar equivalent for EVs I guess
    - zaroth 7y ago
      This is a fully stock (even tires) Tesla Model 3P running Laguna Seca in 1:46.1 at the end of a long day of racing BMWs. Just for fun the driver wanted to take his Telsa out, and his boss is riding shotgun. [1] The production EV record is held by a non-stock TM3P (upgraded suspension, brakes, and tires) at 1:37.5 [2]. By comparison, here are a list of Laguna Seca records [3]. [1] - https://youtu.be/_DZSMxrHyHo https://youtu.be/_DZSMxrHyHo [2] - https://youtu.be/D1MDCPk-7Yw https://youtu.be/D1MDCPk-7Yw [3] - https://i.imgsafe.org/7d/7d96bea0ab.png https://i.imgsafe.org/7d/7d96bea0ab.png
      - supergauntlet 7y ago
        This is proving my point. Look at the lap times on Laguna. https://fastestlaps.com/tracks/laguna-seca-post-1988 https://fastestlaps.com/tracks/laguna-seca-post-1988 Most of the stuff around the 1:45-1:47 mark is a hot hatch, a grand tourer, or a muscle car. Seriously, you gotta understand, I'm super hyped for the electric GT series with the Model S to take off, but these are not supercars. They're comparable to an M series BMW or a nice muscle car, which is fine.
- ovi256 7y ago
  That happens with ICE vehicles too, Grand Tour got several to overheat and go into "limp home" mode. They're also not designed to be run at a high load factor.
navigatesol 7y ago
Since when is 0-60 the go-to stat for performance? It's once metric of many in how a car performs. And yes, there is plenty of performance competition at those prices. The 100D runs a 10.5 quarter mile, which is really good, but not world beating. Factor in any of the competitors pricing their cars below production cost and the landscape looks much different.
- mywittyname 7y ago
  A 10.5 is an INSANE quarter mile time. That's like track prepped sport bike speeds. I go to the strip several times a year and I'm pretty sure running a sub-11 quarter mile would scare me. This is coming from someone who drives a reasonably quick car (12.7ish). I do agree that 0-60 is a silly performance benchmark, since it measures traction more than power in modern cars. But performance Telsas are fast by any measure.
  - tvon 7y ago
    The M5 does a 10.5 1/4 mile, it is a very impressive time for a production vehicle but it's not insane. A lot of production sports bikes are into the 9s. * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fastest_production_cars_by_acceleration#By_1/4_mile_or_400_metre_times_(11_seconds_or_less)[ii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fastest_production_car... * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fastest_production_motorcycles_by_acceleration#By_quarter-mile_time,_12_seconds_or_less https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fastest_production_mot... edit: Actually 10.5 is pretty insane for a production vehicle but we live in a time with a lot of insanely fast and overpowered cars.
    - lazyjones 7y ago
      > The M5 does a 10.5 1/4 mile Source? On your wikipedia page it says 10.9 ... Also, it's currently more expensive than a Model S Performance.
      - tvon 7y ago
        Source was just a google of M5, but you're right that page says 10.9. It was an argument against the "insanity" of a 10.5 time, you're right it costs quite a bit more.
knd775 7y ago
0-60 isn't everything. There are a few better performing cars at that and lower price points.
- karkisuni 7y ago
  genuinely curious, like what? I think they're even more competitive up to speeds under 60. Are you saying quarter mile is just as important? Or that acceleration itself isn't everything in "performance"?
  - hnaccy 7y ago
    A 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE is ~70k and is faster at Laguna Seca and Nurburgring.
    - zaroth 7y ago
      Right, but that's not under $55k. There's no question you can get a car that will beat a TM3P at Nurburgring for more money.... The question is, can you find one for the same or less money? Next, is it one you can comfortably pickup groceries and take the family for a road trip?
  - mdorazio 7y ago
    Acceleration is nice for drag racing or beating the guy next to you at a stop light. If you actually want to go to a track or just enjoy hitting some windy mountain roads, weight, handling, and braking become a lot more important.
    - dsfyu404ed 7y ago
      For normal every day driving pretty much every car handles well enough. Few people are taking corners with the tires screaming (and those that are get looked down upon of being unsafe or whatever). It's acceleration that really makes a car more convenient to daily drive. When you have tons of acceleration things like taking turns into fast moving traffic or merging around that dunce who decided to come to a stop at the end of the ramp become non-issues.
namdnay 7y ago
I don't know how US car prices work. Are those figures the real amount you will end up spending? Or do we need to add taxes/tips/fees? Looking at the french prices, the model 3 performance (3.4s) is 62000 euros once the ecobonus has been deducted - that's nearly 70k USD!
- lathiat 7y ago
  I don’t know about cars but most US prices are quoted before tax. Even for gum at the store counter.
  - pwinnski 7y ago
    Tax levels vary by state, and sometimes by country or city as well. (Texas levies a 6.5% sales tax on all cars statewide, the local taxes don't apply to car purchases.) There's no way to quote a "U.S. price" that includes taxes.
- rockinghigh 7y ago
  From these prices you need to add state registration fees ($100-$500), destination & doc fee ($1,200), and sales tax (0-10% depending on the state and city).
- zaroth 7y ago
  You have to add in the delivery and registration fees, add in state sales tax and city/town excise tax, but then subtract the Federal and possibly state-level tax credits. So depending on the state your final price could be higher or even lower than the sticker.
leetcrew 7y ago
> The pricing for the higher margin trims offers amazing value for those focused on performance. Is there much competition for that kind of performance at this pricing? if your definition of "performance" includes anything other than launching 0-60 a couple times, then yes, there are plenty of ice cars that offer the same level of performance at or below the Tesla price point. even if all you care about is that 0-60 number, it comes with caveats. to actually get the advertised number, you need to wait 30+ min to heat up the battery, and you can't do it more than a couple times before performance degrades. it will be a while before EVs can match the agility and sustained performance of their ice counterparts.

Shivetya 7y ago

FWIW, I purchased a Tesla Model 3 LR edition back in September 2018 with enhanced auto pilot and later added in full self driving at the 2k discount price in 2019. So that car would have be $57,500 for which I took the $7500 Federal Tax Credit on. The LR is no longer so I would end up with an AWD which I would not want, but if equipped as before it would be $54,990. This used to be a $5000 option over the price of the LR. If my TM3 were totaled today I would not buy one if I had to choose AWD, first it is a feature I have no use for where I live nor do I want the efficiency loss compared to the LR. So has there been much movement? TBH, in a few years my replacement likely will not be a Tesla, there are many things to like about the TM3 but road noise and lack of full blue tooth audio support are issues I will not suffer long. This company has its priorities ass backwards at times, apparently fart gags and video games are more important than delivering promised voice commands and then doing a proper blue tooth audio stack. When 20k cars do both features better its disappointing.

dstroot 7y ago
> This company has its priorities ass backwards at times, apparently fart gags and video games are more important than delivering promised voice commands and then doing a proper blue tooth audio stack. This. It makes It makes me angry when I see those features it reminds me that this is a company not run by adults.
lobotryas 7y ago
Voice commands? I’m amazed because I think you’re the first person I’ve seen who likes that feature! Do you also have a digital assistant at home?
- Shivetya 7y ago
  No, however it was something Elon Musk remarked about to some fanfare when the commands were introduced. Yet there has been no update since then. One would hope you could tell the car to change radio stations, switch to the phone for music, or even control the temperature, but for now we get limited navigation and satellite radio commands. Would I use them, some. However the point was, they don't focus well. Fart gags and video games are not features that make every day driving easier. Having full access to the music on my phone via blue tooth like nearly every other car has had for years would be. Instead I have to use my phone to change play lists which actually is not legal in my state.

zaroth 7y ago

What strikes me in that Google Sheet is the progression over just the last 6 months. I love that they don't constrain themselves to a model year release cycle, and just continuously iterate to provide better performance per dollar. At then end of January, 2019 they were selling a 270 mile range Model S, 0-60 in 4.2, without AP, for $85k. Today for $80k you get 370 miles of range, 0-60 in 3.7, with AP. Obviously the question on everyone's mind is, what are the gross margins? If these are strictly process improvements which are fully maintaining margins, then it is extraordinary progress in 6 months. I would expect that there is some combination of process improvements, technology transfer from Model 3 -> S/X, and at least some margin erosion, particularly as the Federal tax credit continues to wind down. The TM3P for $54,900 is truly an absurdly low price for that level of performance. I'm somewhat shocked it's not at least $57,990, but I understand what they're doing -- it's almost pure margin for them when they get an upsell from LR-AWD to Performance, so the more they can shift the mix to performance the better.

marvin 7y ago
I've heard process inefficiencies in their current manufacturing pipeline held as a criticism against Tesla. But while it's less ideal than having all the inefficiencies worked out already, I consider this _promising_. They have produced S&X at around 25% gross margin up until now, IIRC. If there is still relatively low-hanging fruit to be picked, that is another line of defense against being undercut by the competition. As long as a significant part of that gross margin can be put back into capital expenditures (developing new vehicles and infrastructure, developing more manufacturing capacity), things are looking bright for continued EV development and adoption regardless of what the incumbent manufacturers are up to.