Still A Niche Player? Tesla Delivered Over 83,500 Vehicles In Q3

Still A Niche Player? Tesla Delivered Over 83,500 Vehicles In Q3
In Q3, we produced 80,142 vehicles, 50% more than our prior all-time high in Q2, including:

53,239 Model 3 vehicles, which was in line with our guidance and almost double the volume of Q2. During Q3, we transitioned Model 3 production from entirely rear wheel drive at the beginning of the quarter to almost entirely dual motor during the last few weeks of the quarter. This added significant complexity, but we successfully executed this transition and ultimately produced more dual motor than rear wheel drive cars in Q3. In the last week of the quarter, we produced over 5,300 Model 3 vehicles, almost all of which were dual motor, meaning that we achieved a production rate of more than 10,000 drive units per week.

26,903 Model S and X vehicles, which was slightly higher than Q2 and in line with our full-year guidance.

Q3 deliveries totaled 83,500 vehicles: 55,840 Model 3, 14,470 Model S, and 13,190 Model X. To put this in perspective, in just Q3, we delivered more than 80% of the vehicles that we delivered in all of 2017, and we delivered about twice as many Model 3s as we did in all previous quarters combined.

Our Q3 Model 3 deliveries were limited to higher-priced variants, cash/loan transactions, and North American customers only. There remain significant opportunities to grow the addressable market for Model 3 by introducing leasing, standard battery and other lower-priced variants of the car, and by starting international deliveries.

Demand for Model S and X remains high. In Q3, we were able to significantly increase Model S and X deliveries notwithstanding the headwinds we have been facing from the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China. Those trade tensions have resulted in an import tariff rate of 40% on Tesla vehicles versus 15% for other imported cars in China.

In addition, Tesla continues to lack access to cash incentives available to locally produced electric vehicles in China that are typically around 15% of MSRP or more. Taking ocean transport costs and import tariffs into account, Tesla is now operating at a 55% to 60% cost disadvantage compared to the exact same car locally produced in China. This makes for a challenging competitive environment, given that China is by far the largest market for electric vehicles. To address this issue, we are accelerating construction of our Shanghai factory, which we expect to be a capital efficient and rapid buildout, using many lessons learned from the Model 3 ramp in North America.

With production stabilized, delivery and outbound vehicle logistics were our main challenges during Q3. We made many improvements to these processes throughout the quarter, and plan to make further improvements in Q4 so that we can scale successfully. As part of this effort, we plan to continue to expand direct deliveries to customers at their home or office, a service we launched in Q3 to improve customer convenience.

8,048 Model 3 vehicles and 3,776 Model S and X vehicles were in transit to customers at the end of Q3, and will be delivered in early Q4. Our overall target of 100,000 Model S and X deliveries in 2018 remains unchanged.

Our net income and cash flow results will be announced along with the rest of our financial performance when we announce Q3 earnings.

We want to thank the entire Tesla team for executing so well during this challenging ramp up in deliveries. We also want to thank all of our customers who volunteered to help us with deliveries, and our new customers who are showing their faith in Tesla by purchasing our products in such large numbers. It was beyond inspiring to see the contributions made by the whole Tesla community.

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Our delivery count should be viewed as slightly conservative, as we only count a car as delivered if it is transferred to the customer and all paperwork is correct. Final numbers could vary by up to 0.5%. Tesla vehicle deliveries represent only one measure of the company’s financial performance and should not be relied on as an indicator of quarterly financial results, which depend on a variety of factors, including the cost of sales, foreign exchange movements and mix of directly leased vehicles.



EVisNowEVisNow - 10/2/2018 3:02:37 PM
-1 Boost
How 'bout them Teslas!


pdperry23pdperry23 - 10/2/2018 3:08:34 PM
+1 Boost
Good to see an American car company beating the odds and proving the haters wrong.


malba2367malba2367 - 10/2/2018 3:15:40 PM
+1 Boost
There is tons of demand for Tesla cars...they have no problem on the sales front. Hopefully they can quickly figure out how to sustain these production levels profitably. It would be great to have an American car company that can run neck and neck with the Germans in the premium market.


pdperry23pdperry23 - 10/2/2018 3:34:55 PM
-6 Boost
Sorry Focko1, we didn't know the F-150 is in the higher priced luxury market selling in excess of $50k. Thanks for enlightening us with your brilliance.


runninglogan1runninglogan1 - 10/2/2018 4:55:20 PM
-4 Boost
Lol. When you start comparing Model 3 sales to the F-150, it's clear you've jumped the shark. Just accept reality. The Modle 3 is a huge hit.


EVisNowEVisNow - 10/2/2018 3:39:13 PM
-4 Boost
With only a few months into its production ramp, the Model 3 already wipe the floor with the likes of BMW 3-series, MB C-class, ...

Wait until the base Model 3, the Model Y and the Tesla Pickup Truck enter the scene, legacy ICE automakers will be in a lot of hurt.


USNA1999USNA1999 - 10/2/2018 4:16:40 PM
+1 Boost
I wonder if the sales volume will dry up once all the people waiting deliveries get their cars. But if TESLA ever offers the $35K Model 3, I might consider one.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 10/3/2018 2:53:09 AM
-3 Boost
It's coming next year, but the federal rebate will be cut in half by the time it is available.


USNA1999USNA1999 - 10/2/2018 4:18:37 PM
+1 Boost
BTW can anyone tell me what happens after I want to get rid of a TESLA? Do they have good resale values or will you get peanuts for them?


runninglogan1runninglogan1 - 10/2/2018 4:53:47 PM
-4 Boost
Above average resale value.


MDarringerMDarringer - 10/2/2018 6:26:59 PM
+5 Boost
Resale is ABYSMAL. Best bet is to find some Tesla wannabe owner who will overpay.


EVisNowEVisNow - 10/2/2018 8:00:10 PM
-3 Boost
The market will dictate price. Do an internet search to find out for yourself - the are plenty of samples to make an informed decision.

Naysayers can't swallow hard facts, they have to resort to conjecture and innuendo.


MDarringerMDarringer - 10/2/2018 9:13:01 PM
+5 Boost
The internet says all kinds of things. The #1 reason the resale of Teslas is going to be low to anyone outside of a fanboy-to-fanboy transaction is that EVs are like PCs and technology is jumping so a dealer will NOT pay top price to get a Tesla.

EVisNow is 100% a Tesla fanboy who only concerns himself with hyperbole from other Tesla fanboys.

Take your Tesla S and try trading it in on a Mercedes S. The trade-in value would not be wonderful.

BUT

I can hear you now replying that no one would trade a Tesla for an ICE vehicle as if somehow that assertion proves your point.

When all is said and done, you're a biased fanboy who thinks Elon invented the EV and solar power.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 10/3/2018 2:55:44 AM
-4 Boost
Sorry MD, your comment is not based on reality. Model S/X resale value has been exceptional, better than any other EV available. Look up prices in any region and they are very compatible and often better than the depreciation on a MB or BMW car of similar price, mileage, and age.


MrEEMrEE - 10/2/2018 6:48:47 PM
-2 Boost
Out selling BMW and MB, all at over $50k prices, impressive.


EVisNowEVisNow - 10/2/2018 7:52:43 PM
-3 Boost
ASP already reached $60K in August. The last month of Q3, Tesla made almost exclusively AWD and Performance versions with ASP well over $60K. At this price and US sales volume well over 30% more than BMW's entire car lineup, impressive is an understatement.


MDarringerMDarringer - 10/2/2018 9:13:34 PM
+7 Boost
That ONLY impressive IF they have a profit to demonstrate and they don't.


CANADIANCOMMENTSCANADIANCOMMENTS - 10/2/2018 9:45:43 PM
-3 Boost
To answer the question, niche or not, Porsche delivered 246,000 vehicles world wide in 2017. If Tesla did 80,000 units a quarter that would be 320,000 vehicles annually. I think that is above niche status which is really more for the Aston's and Ferrari's of this world in the 5,500-8,000 unit range. At a higher level of production, BMW sold 2.4M vehicles in 2017. Something for Telsa to to shoot for next as they continue to grow.


MDarringerMDarringer - 10/2/2018 10:05:49 PM
+5 Boost
They are still a niche brand because all they have are EVs.



SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 10/3/2018 2:57:22 AM
-5 Boost
EVs are only niche in certain parts of the country.


supermotosupermoto - 10/2/2018 10:53:48 PM
+7 Boost
Of course a car can be a hit when every single one is sold at a loss.




supermotosupermoto - 10/2/2018 10:55:04 PM
+7 Boost
BTW, my co-worker's 3 had a badly broken windshield and was unable to drive the car for 6 weeks until a replacement arrived.

That would never happen with any other brand on the planet.


MDarringerMDarringer - 10/2/2018 11:13:03 PM
+7 Boost
Tesla fanboys are like Democrats. With Democrats the issue isn't that the leadership is hateful, corrupt, and criminal it's that their fanboys are OK with that and see no wrong in it. With Tesla the issue isn't horrible build quality, reliability issues, expensive repairs, and the cash raping of customers it's that their fanboys are OK with that and see no wrong in it.


MBKingMBKing - 10/2/2018 11:33:53 PM
-4 Boost
Here goes this clown again with politics talk. Stick to car commentary pal, better yet stick to commentary on cars you can actually afford.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 10/3/2018 3:00:13 AM
-3 Boost
I think actual owners would be more educated to speak on the actual quality and reliability of their cars. There were 2 minor issues with my 3, one was a software update and the other just required a 30min service appointment, which was done at the office (left blinker tap was not working properly).


TruthyTruthy - 10/3/2018 9:23:47 AM
+7 Boost
Teslas are selling at a loss even with the government tax subsidies. When these go away - which is soon - the sales will drop precipitously. Pet-up demand from those foolish enough to fund Elon's adventures with $2,500 checks to wait 2 -3 years for their cars will end soon too.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 10/3/2018 10:49:47 PM
+3 Boost
You realize the Model 3 isn't even shipping outside North America until next year right? If US Sales went to 0, they would still sell every one for years overseas--by that time most other manufacturers won't have the subsidy either.


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