EV tax credit and the configurator.

[Sonny Daze]

Will Tesla wait until the EV tax credit issue is resolved by congress before opening the the configurator to the general public (or at least taking orders). There could be lots of people placing binding orders not knowing how much the car will cost them. Obviously it's up to the buyer if they want to take that gamble but would Tesla rather just want to avoid a possible slew of buyers clamoring for a refund. Of course Tesla could always make an exception if that happens and grant the refunds, it's not like the cars will be custom built and there are plenty of other customers.

 

[Az_Rael]

Doubt it. There are enough people who will be willing to pull the trigger without the certainty of the tax credit that they will still be able to sell every one they can build.

I also doubt refunds of the $2500 will be given if folks cancel. When you place the order and convert your deposit to non-refundable (and pass through the cancellation window if there is one), Tesla starts the process of putting your car into production. Then if you cancel when the car is being built, you are now causing them costs, as they have to re-assign that car to someone else who picked the exact same config as you, who doesn't happen to have a car already in production or an assigned VIN, etc. They might end up allocating cancellation cars as test drive vehicles or inventory cars like they do with Model S or X.

 

[run-the-joules]

Will Tesla wait until the EV tax credit issue is resolved by congress before opening the the configurator to the general public (or at least taking orders). There could be lots of people placing binding orders not knowing how much the car will cost them. Obviously it's up to the buyer if they want to take that gamble but would Tesla rather just want to avoid a possible slew of buyers clamoring for a refund. Of course Tesla could always make an exception if that happens and grant the refunds, it's not like the cars will be custom built and there are plenty of other customers.

There’s zero good reason for them to delay based on this sort of thing. If people won’t gamble, someone will take their place. Lead, follow, or get out of the way.