keydiver
Well-known member
edatoakrun said:The ~$80,000 base model X has reportedly been aborted before the first one was even delivered, even earlier than the ~$57,000 Model S was.
Personally, I think you are reading more into this than necessary. The 5 kWh increase is undoubtedly the result of a newer, better chemistry, just as the 60 kWh S became 70 kWh, and the 85 kWh S became 90 kWh. They haven't "aborted" making the base model, it just evolved into a 75 kWh battery, and it coincided with the Tesla price increase that they have been forecasting.
Do you SERIOUSLY think Tesla will renege on it's $35,000 Model 3 promise?? :? That would be a MUCH more serious PR problem than when they dropped the 40 kWh S because of insufficient orders (which pissed me off at the time and put me in a Leaf instead), or the Model X 70 kWh evolving into 75 kWh for $3,000 more. Price increase on the base Model 3: NOT going to happen. Tesla has too much of their reputation riding on this. They will either delay production until they can hit the $35,000 target, or they will strip out some of the features to still keep it profitable.
Nissan today can sell a Leaf for $29,000 (List price), while still splitting the profits with your local dealer, and buying their batteries elsewhere. I don't know why you don't think Tesla will be able to sell the Model 3 18+ months from now for $35,000, with no middle man, and manufacturing their own batteries.