Tesla will reportedly start building pre-production versions of its $35,000 mass-market Model 3 sedan in just a few weeks' time. The American vehicle-making company plans to launch the Model 3 in late 2017 and begin fulfilling 373,000 pre-orders for the vehicle all throughout 2018; customers have placed down $1,000 each after the Model 3's unveiling in March 2016 for the privilege of waiting two years or more to take delivery of their car.
Will There Be A Delay In Release?
According to BusinessInsider, because Tesla was three years late on launching its last vehicle, the Model X SUV, speculation has been wild that the Model 3 is suffering from similar delays. Everyone also knows now that the Model X's complex design and troubled initial production has created a hellish situation for Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his team.
Memories of that said dilemma have lighted a fire on assumptions that Tesla will be making Model 3as customers extend their waiting game to finally get their cars. But those fears are about to diminish, in fact, Tesla is now on the track of potentially launching the Model 3 ahead of schedule.
Tesla Hitting Its Marks
According to CarBuzz, the Tesla Model 3 test-builds will begin on February 20. Initial production is scheduled to start in July this year, assuming that Tesla will be able to organize its supply chain and not have to wait much longer on parts.
Test building will help the company refine the Model 3 design and focus on any issues with regards to quality control. It will also demonstrate whether a simpler and more precise design for the Model 3 will enable production at the level that Musk needs to fully meet pre-orders and push towards a 500,000-per-year run rate by 2018.
With the speculations being high, Tesla looks forward to the Model 3 to consume the bulk of Tesla's future manufacturing capacity.
