Welcome to Tesla Motors Club
Discuss Tesla's Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck, Roadster and More.
Register

Blog Tesla Made Nearly 10,000 Model 3s in Q1, Posts Record Production Numbers

This site may earn commission on affiliate links.
Tesla achieved record vehicle production in the first quarter of 2018, including nearly 10,000 Model 3s, the company said today.

In total, the company manufactured 34,494 vehicles.

“The Model 3 output increased exponentially, representing a fourfold increase over last quarter,” Tesla said in a release. “This is the fastest growth of any automotive company in the modern era. If this rate of growth continues, it will exceed even that of Ford and the Model T.”

First quarter deliveries totaled 29,980 vehicles, of which 11,730 were Model S, 10,070 were Model X, and 8,180 were Model 3.

See the full release below:

Tesla Q1 2018 Vehicle Production and Deliveries

PALO ALTO, Calif., April 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Q1 production totaled 34,494 vehicles, a 40% increase from Q4 and by far the most productive quarter in Tesla history. 24,728 were Model S and Model X, and 9,766 were Model 3. The Model 3 output increased exponentially, representing a fourfold increase over last quarter. This is the fastest growth of any automotive company in the modern era. If this rate of growth continues, it will exceed even that of Ford and the Model T.

We were able to double the weekly Model 3 production rate during the quarter by rapidly addressing production and supply chain bottlenecks, including several short factory shutdowns to upgrade equipment.

In the past seven days, Tesla produced 2,020 Model 3 vehicles. In the next seven days, we expect to produce 2,000 Model S and X vehicles and 2,000 Model 3 vehicles. It is a testament to the ability of the Tesla production team that Model 3 volume now exceeds Model S and Model X combined. What took our team five years for S/X, took only nine months for Model 3.

Given the progress made thus far and upcoming actions for further capacity improvement, we expect that the Model 3 production rate will climb rapidly through Q2. Tesla continues to target a production rate of approximately 5,000 units per week in about three months, laying the groundwork for Q3 to have the long-sought ideal combination of high volume, good gross margin and strong positive operating cash flow. As a result, Tesla does not require an equity or debt raise this year, apart from standard credit lines.

Q1 deliveries totaled 29,980 vehicles, of which 11,730 were Model S, 10,070 were Model X, and 8,180 were Model 3. Net orders for Model S and X were at an all-time Q1 record, and demand remains very strong. Model S and X customer vehicles in transit were high. 4,060 Model S and X vehicles were in transit to customers at the end of Q1, which was 68% higher than at the end of Q4 2017. An additional 2,040 Model 3 vehicles were also in transit to customers. These vehicles will be delivered in early Q2 2018, which keeps us on track for our full-year 2018 Model S and X delivery guidance.

Finally, we would like to share two additional points about Model 3:

The quality of Model 3 coming out of production is at the highest level we have seen across all our products. This is reflected in the overwhelming delight experienced by our customers with their Model 3’s. Our initial customer satisfaction score for Model 3 quality is above 93%, which is the highest score in Tesla’s history.

Net Model 3 reservations remained stable through Q1. The reasons for order cancellation are almost entirely due to delays in production in general and delays in availability of certain planned options, particularly dual motor AWD and the smaller battery pack. As described above, owner happiness with the product is extremely high.

We would like to thank our customers, suppliers and investors for their continued patience and belief in Tesla.

Our delivery count should be viewed as slightly conservative, as we only count a car as delivered if it is transferred to the customer and all paperwork is correct. Final numbers could vary by up to 0.5%. Tesla vehicle deliveries represent only one measure of the company’s financial performance and should not be relied on as an indicator of quarterly financial results, which depend on a variety of factors, including the cost of sales, foreign exchange movements and mix of directly leased vehicles.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements herein, including statements regarding future production and delivery of Model S, Model X and Model 3 and expected gross margin and cash flow results, are “forward-looking statements” that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations. Various important factors could cause actual results to differ materially, including the risks identified in our SEC filings. Tesla disclaims any obligation to update this information.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
They pitch it like it is the most "amazing accomplishment in automotive history!" ........ what a load of crap! Any OEM in the "modern era" that had this UGLY of a ramp-up of a new vehicle would be considered a massive failure! Considering the "absolute" guarantee by the CEO, the really poor production numbers, and the pushing out of questionable quality vehicles in a panic effort to produce just a couple of thousand a week , this company is doomed!
 
They pitch it like it is the most "amazing accomplishment in automotive history!" ........ what a load of crap! Any OEM in the "modern era" that had this UGLY of a ramp-up of a new vehicle would be considered a massive failure! Considering the "absolute" guarantee by the CEO, the really poor production numbers, and the pushing out of questionable quality vehicles in a panic effort to produce just a couple of thousand a week , this company is doomed!

They aren't putting out "questionable quality vehicles". There's been no evidence of this..
 
They aren't putting out "questionable quality vehicles". There's been no evidence of this..
There`s actually been a LOT of evidence, but every time a case shows up it`s "something special" "a sad individual case" an "ICE-fan conspiracy" or just "early production issues".....

Model S DUs and door handles, general panel alignment, paint issues, creaking etc come to mind. Tesla is not putting out quality that resembles their prices yet. It´s gotten a lot better, but for their price range it`s still....eh.
 
They pitch it like it is the most "amazing accomplishment in automotive history!" ........ what a load of crap! Any OEM in the "modern era" that had this UGLY of a ramp-up of a new vehicle would be considered a massive failure! Considering the "absolute" guarantee by the CEO, the really poor production numbers, and the pushing out of questionable quality vehicles in a panic effort to produce just a couple of thousand a week , this company is doomed!
Lol, the current aluminum F-150 had a horrible roll out and was at limited production for almost 6 months.
 
They aren't putting out "questionable quality vehicles". There's been no evidence of this..

You are right. And Tesla directly addressed the misinformation being spread about Model 3 quality directly in their update, along with the FUD being spread about cancellations:
  • The quality of Model 3 coming out of production is at the highest level we have seen across all our products. This is reflected in the overwhelming delight experienced by our customers with their Model 3's. Our initial customer satisfaction score for Model 3 quality is above 93%, which is the highest score in Tesla's history.
  • Net Model 3 reservations remained stable through Q1. The reasons for order cancellation are almost entirely due to delays in production in general and delays in availability of certain planned options, particularly dual motor AWD and the smaller battery pack. As described above, owner happiness with the product is extremely high.
Tesla Q1 2018 Vehicle Production and Deliveries (NASDAQ:TSLA)
 
Guys first post is doom and gloom, possibly has ulterior motives.
Typical Tesla lemming! Blind to the realities of how a "competitive" OEM operates compared to Tesla. My evidence is this blog (citing totally unbelievable defects of prior Model 3...compared to ANY other OEM new vehicle launch), facts from employees on 40% rework (compared to near PERFECT quality by ANY other OEM), and decades in the automotive industry that suggests that "Musk taking over production (compared to ANY other OEM that actually has someone that knows what they are doing in charge), and late Saturday push to "get them out!". Building a small electric sedan to improve profits is simply crazy....ANY other OEM makes NO money on these entries....they are simply a means of meeting CAFE and CARB standards...allowing they to make money on the other products. Finally, the Model 3 is priced for the "Early Adopters (kinda like Lemmings)" who will pay $50k for a $30k vehicle...and by the end of the year the $7.5k incentive is gone. A company valued at $40+ billion needs to make serious money! I say they will not make it and am short Tesla.
 
There`s actually been a LOT of evidence, but every time a case shows up it`s "something special" "a sad individual case" an "ICE-fan conspiracy" or just "early production issues".....

Model S DUs and door handles, general panel alignment, paint issues, creaking etc come to mind. Tesla is not putting out quality that resembles their prices yet. It´s gotten a lot better, but for their price range it`s still....eh.
Compared to what? I have owned German cars and they are not the "precision devices" that people make them out to be.
 
Typical Tesla lemming! Blind to the realities of how a "competitive" OEM operates compared to Tesla. My evidence is this blog (citing totally unbelievable defects of prior Model 3...compared to ANY other OEM new vehicle launch), facts from employees on 40% rework (compared to near PERFECT quality by ANY other OEM), and decades in the automotive industry that suggests that "Musk taking over production (compared to ANY other OEM that actually has someone that knows what they are doing in charge), and late Saturday push to "get them out!". Building a small electric sedan to improve profits is simply crazy....ANY other OEM makes NO money on these entries....they are simply a means of meeting CAFE and CARB standards...allowing they to make money on the other products. Finally, the Model 3 is priced for the "Early Adopters (kinda like Lemmings)" who will pay $50k for a $30k vehicle...and by the end of the year the $7.5k incentive is gone. A company valued at $40+ billion needs to make serious money! I say they will not make it and am short Tesla.
Have you ever been in an auto factory before? Rework is so common across the industry that they have dedicated facilities and employees to handle it all.
 
Lol, the current aluminum F-150 had a horrible roll out and was at limited production for almost 6 months.
Ford produces 60,000 per month of F150's AND ACTUALLY MAKES MONEY ON THEM....WHAT AN ODD CONCEPT FOR TESLA!
Have you ever been in an auto factory before? Rework is so common across the industry that they have dedicated facilities and employees to handle it all.
I have spent decades in the auto industry including factories in USA, Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, Thailand, Germany, France, Italy, England, and others......there is NOTHING like the Tesla performance (failures)/market cap that has ever existed. One close is Qoros where someone else (a Israel billionaire) wanted to do the same thing...electric small cars and lost billions.
 
Lol, the current aluminum F-150 had a horrible roll out and was at limited production for almost 6 months.

Exactly. Roll-outs of any substantially new design are always low level chaos. Tesla is not unique. And there are a lot of people in that plant who have come from other automotive OEMs. Other companies are simply not under the microscope to the same degree.
 
Ford produces 60,000 per month of F150's AND ACTUALLY MAKES MONEY ON THEM....WHAT AN ODD CONCEPT FOR TESLA!

I have spent decades in the auto industry including factories in USA, Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, Thailand, Germany, France, Italy, England, and others......there is NOTHING like the Tesla performance (failures)/market cap that has ever existed. One close is Qoros where someone else (a Israel billionaire) wanted to do the same thing...electric small cars and lost billions.

I am glad you came here to enlighten us with your superior auto industry expertise in your first 3 posts in this blog
 
Typical Tesla lemming! Blind to the realities of how a "competitive" OEM operates compared to Tesla. My evidence is this blog (citing totally unbelievable defects of prior Model 3...compared to ANY other OEM new vehicle launch), facts from employees on 40% rework (compared to near PERFECT quality by ANY other OEM), and decades in the automotive industry that suggests that "Musk taking over production (compared to ANY other OEM that actually has someone that knows what they are doing in charge), and late Saturday push to "get them out!". Building a small electric sedan to improve profits is simply crazy....ANY other OEM makes NO money on these entries....they are simply a means of meeting CAFE and CARB standards...allowing they to make money on the other products. Finally, the Model 3 is priced for the "Early Adopters (kinda like Lemmings)" who will pay $50k for a $30k vehicle...and by the end of the year the $7.5k incentive is gone. A company valued at $40+ billion needs to make serious money! I say they will not make it and am short Tesla.