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Blog Another Look At Tesla Model 3 Mid Range Powertrain And Gross Margin

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TMC Staff

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May 19, 2017
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We dive deeper into the potential powertrain and profit analysis surrounding the all-new mid-range Tesla Model 3. We’ve had two very good articles on the Tesla Model 3 powertrain and implications on gross margin. Both are based on an analysis by Troy at Teslike (articles here and here). In those article Troy predicts the size...
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It makes sense if you want to start producing the SR motor version and get economies of scale working in your favor on it. Then to produce SR cars you would only need to change the battery pack of the MR version to produce the SR version and remove the premium interior and glass roof. Initially, one could offer an SR version with PUP and later an SR version without PUP.
 
It makes sense if you want to start producing the SR motor version and get economies of scale working in your favor on it. Then to produce SR cars you would only need to change the battery pack of the MR version to produce the SR version and remove the premium interior and glass roof. Initially, one could offer an SR version with PUP and later an SR version without PUP.
All the extra R&D and testing to flip back and forth between AWD and MR/SR motors to save .. perhaps $25 - $50 a motor ... while grappling with the ramp of the century ?

I don't think so
 
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Ditto on the motor being the same. My guess is that Tesla's using the same rear motor and gearing as the RWD/AWD, and the top speed and acceleration are limited by lower system voltage from including fewer parallel strings of 2170s. Tesla reduced costs on the MR by using fewer cells, using one(?) less charger board, and maybe downsizing some of the other power electronics.

Based on the difference in EPA range, Tesla can build 13 MRs for every 10 LRs given the same amount of cells, so they can balance Fremont's higher 3 production rates with GF1's lower pack production rates. More 3s rolling off the line means they can increase supplier parts volume and try to minimize part cost ahead of the launch of the SR. They can also maximize the number of people in the US who can get the full federal tax credit.

When GF1 can ramp cell output and the SR comes out, Tesla will have lower costs for the majority of the chassis/suspension/etc thanks to incrementally more production from the MR + LR, and if they really build the pack for 220 miles of range, they'll likely use shorter gearing to keep 0-60 acceleration at 5.6s and reduce the top speed, which is limited anyway by the smaller SR pack. Along the same lines I wouldn't be surprised to see a middle interior trim as well, although with enough volume Tesla may be able to go straight to the base interior.
 
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I think you are right on the battery size, but no way Tesla is going to make a different wiring and a different motor for the mid range. They wanted something quick and easy, and dropping cells from the pack is just that.
 
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