Below are some of the stories making the rounds ahead of tonight’s Model 3 handover party.
Tesla’s biggest competition for the Model 3 will not come from other electric vehicles – “The company’s Model S sedans and Model X SUVs accounted for more than half of the EV market in the US in 2016, more than the next 12 models combined. Tesla itself is one of the world’s most valuable carmakers just 14 years after its founding as a Silicon Valley startup.” (Quartz)
As Tesla Model 3 Hits the Streets, Where Are the Other Electric Vehicles? – “It might seem like there’s more news about electric cars lately than actual electric cars on the road. Automakers are pouring billions into an uncharted electric future because the cars are getting cheaper more quickly than expected, and because governments worldwide want concrete action against climate change. The ambitious plans present a jarring contrast to what’s actually happening in showrooms today.” (Bloomberg)
Mainstream Model 3 holds promise — and peril — for Tesla – “Potential customers could lose faith if Tesla doesn’t meet its aggressive production schedule, or if the cars have quality problems that strain Tesla’s small service network. The compact Model 3 may not entice a global market that’s increasingly shifting to SUVs, including all-electric SUVs from Audi and others that are going on sale soon.” (CNBC)