The M3P is currently $6,250 more than the LR. We tend to think of it as being less money for those of us who are eligible for the $7,500 tax incentive. However, while it is less expensive for us, Tesla still recoups the entire $6,250 in extra revenue once it collects the $7,500 back from the government. This allows them to price the car just a hair under the $55K cap and still be eligible for the credit.
I don’t see Tesla raising the price above $55K and losing the $7,500 government handout. I have a hard time believing it cost Tesla $6,250 more to produce the P over the LR. I think the P is still the most profitable M3 variant for them once they collect back the $7,500 credit.
So as long as the government holds the sedan cap at $55K I think Tesla’s hands are tied. M3P sales would likely plummet if they raised the price above $55K and took the tax credit away. The most they could increase the price at this point would be $1K, which would limit the tax credit to gray/black models only.