Currently reading: Tesla falls behind on Model 3 deliveries

Brand blamed ‘production bottlenecks’ for delivering just over one-seventh of its target in the third quarter

The Tesla Model 3 is facing a delivery setback due to ‘bottlenecks’ in the production process, according to the brand. 

Click here for the latest on Tesla's Model 3 production issues

In the third quarter of 2017, 220 Model 3s were delivered, compared with Tesla’s prediction of 1500 stated in its second quarter report. 

Tesla reassured stakeholders: “There are no fundamental issues with the Model 3 production or supply chain. We understand what needs to be fixed and we are confident of addressing the manufacturing bottleneck issues in the near term.” 

The company aims to produce 5000 Model 3s by the end of the year and 10,000 by the end of 2018.

Despite the hiccup in deliveries of the Model 3, the overall Q3 delivery total of 26,150 cars was Tesla's best result to date. Deliveries were up 4.5% over the third quarter of 2016 and 17.7% over the second quarter of 2017.

The best-selling Tesla remains the Model S, with 14,065 delivered, while 11,865 examples of the Model X were delivered in the period. Despite the current bias towards saloons, the brand’s first small SUV, the Model Y, is expected to outsell its other models when it goes on sale in 2019. 

It will have to prove hugely popular to outsell the Model 3, however; Tesla revealed that in the days following the Model 3 handover event, 1800 reservations were being made per day. 

Tesla declined to comment on whether the delivery issue would delay the Model 3’s arrival in the UK. Currently, orders placed today will arrive in 12-18 months for right-hand-drive markets, while left-hand-drive cars arrive in 2019.

Read more:

Tesla Model 3: Musk confirms 50kWh and 70kWh batteries

Tesla Model Y: first image shows no door mirrors and aggressive design

Nissan Leaf 2018 prototype review: new EV driven

Dyson electric cars to reach production by 2020

Advertisement

Read our review

Car review

The most affordable Tesla yet is tempting on the face of it, so should you yield or resist?

Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you’ll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here.

Join the debate

Comments
6
Add a comment…
eseaton 4 October 2017

Whatever.

Whatever.
Another traveller 3 October 2017

On other news...

Bears sh!t in the woods...
realdriver 3 October 2017

5'000 and 10'000 a week

I believe that they are aiming for 5'000 a week by the end of 2017 and 10'000 a week by 2018. Not 5 and 10'000 total per year...