There could be a Performance model added back to the lineup at some point with similar specs to the 2021 model. They may want to do something like that first before potentially cutting prices on Plaid. It all really depends on sales, market reaction, competition, etc.
Could someone actually share their Model S lease residual value? It seems no one on this thread has shared the actual contracted residual value of their lease. Better yet, if someone could share all three values then that will solve this mystery. Lease Capitalized Cost Money Factor / Interest Rate Residual Value
More than likely it’s just that Tesla doesn’t want it back because they don’t want to sell used cars. If they do get it back, they want it cheap so they can make good margin. It’s not that they know it will be crappy.
If that were the case, Tesla shouldn't have added the federal tax credits (when they still qualified) to the residual values. This results in artificially high LEVs, thereby discouraging people from buying the cars at lease end. Also, Tesla doesn't even give the option for lessees to buy M3s or MYs at lease end. If anything, Tesla's lease terms have done more to ensure they do get the cars back than don't get the cars back.
Then they shouldn't have added the tax credits to MS and MX residuals. It will be interesting to see if they do the same if/when Teslas qualify for federal tax credits again.