Tesla Cancels Its Cheapest, $35,000 Car

What happened to the Tesla meant for the masses?

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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