Guesses on "token of appreciation" for line waiters tweeted by Elon Musk

[eisbock]

The design is still not even finished yet (within the next few weeks), and besides, they won't send out a scale Model 3 until they unveil the final interior. The scale Model S is extremely realistic inside and out.

Oh neat. I assumed the scale model would just be a simple plastic shell mold.

EDIT: It probably will be if it's going out to thousands of people for free. The model you linked is $210. No way in hell that will be a "token of appreciation". This is not an apples to apples comparison. If we do get a scale model, it'll be an injection mold like this:

Which means the front will be one of the main attractions.

 

[McHoffa]

Oh neat. I assumed the scale model would just be a simple plastic shell mold.

EDIT: It probably will be if it's going out to thousands of people for free. The model you linked is $210. No way in hell that will be a "token of appreciation". This is not an apples to apples comparison. If we do get a scale model, it'll be an injection mold like this:

Which means the front will be one of the main attractions.

How much do you think that scale Model S actually costs them though? I've seen similar in the $20-50 range, which means costs to produce is probably half that. They sell it for $210 because it's low production numbers and a premium product. They could probably get 50,000 of the Model 3 produced for $20 apiece, which is nothing compared to the $1000 we all put down.

My Tesla shirts look great and are high quality fabric, and I gladly paid $35 for them, but I bet they cost Tesla $5 apiece to make.

I'd be happy with a cheaper style, that didn't have the interior, but Tesla doesn't usually make things that look cheap.

 

[Garlan Garner]

True, but he was also talking about gifts being send to those who waited on Extra Long lines (like in Canada), so I don't think everyone will get a scale car.

Extra Long Lines? I didn't hear that. So.....those who waited in EXTRA long lines will receive something as opposed to those who just waited in a line?
Can you clarify that?

 

[DrivingTheFuture]

Why in the world do you guys think a "scale" model is anything but a full size model 3? The tweet to Elon was a subtle joke which he caught and replied among other things because everyone who reserved IS getting a scale model 3. When you look at scale models they have a fraction rating that notates how big they are compared to the original being copied. i.e. 1/8th scale model or 1/16th... etc. etc.

 

[BluestarE3]

Why in the world do you guys think a "scale" model is anything but a full size model 3? The tweet to Elon was a subtle joke which he caught and replied among other things because everyone who reserved IS getting a scale model 3. When you look at scale models they have a fraction rating that notates how big they are compared to the original being copied. i.e. 1/8th scale model or 1/16th... etc. etc.

I thought it was a scaly Model 3 he was referring to... as in the golf-ball-dimpled-skin car tested by Mythbusters that produced improved mileage vs. the same car with a smooth skin. Another way Tesla is reducing drag on the Model 3?
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/22/mythbusters-golf-ball-like-dimpling-mpg/

 

[JeffK]

I thought it was a scaly Model 3 he was referring to... as in the golf-ball-dimpled-skin car tested by Mythbusters that produced improved mileage vs. the same car with a smooth skin. Another way Tesla is reducing drag on the Model 3?
VIDEO: Mythbusters test golf ball-like dimpling effect on fuel economy (*Spoiler Alert!*)

haha I think Nancy Reagan said it best "Just Say No!"

 

[MP3Mike]

Why in the world do you guys think a "scale" model is anything but a full size model 3? The tweet to Elon was a subtle joke which he caught and replied among other things because everyone who reserved IS getting a scale model 3. When you look at scale models they have a fraction rating that notates how big they are compared to the original being copied. i.e. 1/8th scale model or 1/16th... etc. etc.

Really? I don't even have to configure, order, or pay for it? I guarantee that everyone who reserved a Model 3 won't be actually getting one.

 

[FirstSea]

Extra Long Lines? I didn't hear that. So.....those who waited in EXTRA long lines will receive something as opposed to those who just waited in a line?
Can you clarify that?

Here is the quote, we got the gift of appreciation, anything else is for those who stood in some crazy long lines.

Twitter

 

[Garlan Garner]

Here is the quote, we got the gift of appreciation, anything else is for those who stood in some crazy long lines.

Twitter

I stand corrected.

 

[ummgood]

Here is the quote, we got the gift of appreciation, anything else is for those who stood in some crazy long lines.

Twitter

He also said that he expected 20-30 per store so crazy long line means all lines at all stores in my mind.

I was in Austin and there was at least 500 in line. I was number 106 and was waiting for 5 hours. I consider that pretty crazy.

 

[Garlan Garner]

He also said that he expected 20-30 per store so crazy long line means all lines at all stores in my mind.

I was in Austin and there was at least 500 in line. I was number 106 and was waiting for 5 hours. I consider that pretty crazy.

That is indeed crazy,

 

[physicsfita]

Do we have any idea if all the sketches have been sent out? I haven't seen mine yet, but some of my mail carriers aren't the greatest...

 

[Twiglett]

He also said that he expected 20-30 per store so crazy long line means all lines at all stores in my mind.

I was in Austin and there was at least 500 in line. I was number 106 and was waiting for 5 hours. I consider that pretty crazy.

I was about 150 behind you, got there about 8:30 and actually ordered a little before 1pm. Amazing just chatting with all those with a common purpose

 

[Garlan Garner]

I was about 150 behind you, got there about 8:30 and actually ordered a little before 1pm. Amazing just chatting with all those with a common purpose

What?

Is Austin the only Tesla store in Texas? Why were there so many people in line? We have 3 stores here in Chicago.

 

[Nevek]

I was about 150 behind you, got there about 8:30 and actually ordered a little before 1pm. Amazing just chatting with all those with a common purpose

What surprised me in the Seattle line was how many people knew so little about Tesla-Superchargers, 240v charging, company history, who this guy Musk is. It helped pass the time to fill them in, even pointed a few to TMC.

Not everyone, certainly, and perhaps just the few people around me in line-but still interesting they were making a leap of faith on so little information.

 

[ZAKEEUS]

What?

Is Austin the only Tesla store in Texas? Why were there so many people in line? We have 3 stores here in Chicago.

There are stores in Houston and Dallas. Long lines in all of those locations. Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio (not far from Austin) are 3 of the most populated cites in the country. I knew this and woke up at 2am and drove from Baton Rouge to Houston to be one of the first 70 or so people in line.

 

[HalWebGuy]

Now that deliveries are starting this week, think we might find out what it is?

 

[BluestarE3]

Now that deliveries are starting this week, think we might find out what it is?

"There will be something special", Who does this apply to?

 

[206er]

We received a tin full of cookies when we bought our Acura in 2013, so I expect Elon to meet or beat that (especially for waiting in line).

 

[tsla007]

At this point-I don't really care unless it is a free option of some sort. Unlikely, but hey, with 20b inflow of cash just from model 3 and only 20% of the pre orders Elon can do anything.