Bye Bye
With the 2021 model year refresh around the corner, Tesla has decided to stop selling its cheapest car, the $35,000 Model 3, as Electrek reports.
It’s a notable step backward, given that Tesla CEO Elon Musk had been promising a car for the mainstream at that lower price point for many years now.
Workarounds
The option, advertised as Model 3 Standard Range, was first announced last year — but was de-listed after several months.
To get to the $35,000 price point after the option was de-listed, customers were still able to slice software features worth $3,000 from the $38,000 Model 3 Standard Range Plus, ending up with a vehicle that technically cost $35,000.
That workaround is now no longer possible, according to Electrek, starting with the 2021 Model 3.
$25,000 Tesla
An affordable Tesla might still be in the cards in years to come. During the company’s Battery Day in September, Musk promised that Tesla will put a $25,000 electric car into production within the next three years.
“We’re confident we can make a very, very compelling $25,000 electric vehicle, that’s also fully autonomous,” Musk said at the event. “And when you think about the $25,000 price point you have to consider how much less expensive it is to own an electric vehicle. So actually, it becomes even more affordable at that $25,000 price point.”
READ MORE: Tesla stops selling $35,000 Model 3 with new 2021 model year refresh [Electrek]
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