Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Tesla's Model 3 Loses Its Luster

Tesla produced less than one-fifth of the Model 3 sedans in the initial quarter of production of the vehicle than it promised, and an independent survey shows potential customers losing interest in the vehicle.

by Staff
October 3, 2017
Tesla's Model 3 Loses Its Luster

Chart courtesy of KBB.com.

1 min to read


Chart courtesy of KBB.com.

Tesla produced less than one-fifth of the Model 3 sedans in the initial quarter of production of the vehicle than it promised, and an independent survey shows potential customers losing interest in the vehicle.

For the quarter that ended with September, Tesla produced 260 Model 3 sedans out of the 1,600 Elon Musk mentioned on Twitter in July. The company delivered 220 cars due to "production bottlenecks," according to Tesla.

Ad Loading...

The company has seen delays at its California assembly plant in Fremont and the Gigafactory in Nevada.

About 500,000 people have submitted their names and $1,000 refundable deposits for a Model 3 to be added to a waiting list, which may be causing cooling interest in the vehicle, according to a new survey from KBB.com. The survey was done from Sept. 18 to 27.

The majority of the 1,181 respondents (52%) said they are "not interested in the Model 3." For those who are interested, the Model 3 is highly desirable with 35% saying they would wait for up to a month. Only 8% said they would wait three months and 7% said they would wait one year.

Musk has said he hopes to produce 10,000 Model 3 cars per week by the end of 2018.

More Green Fleet

A close up of the right front of a red Tesla in front of a blurred cityscape background.
Green FleetJuly 1, 2026

Stop Remarketing Electric Vehicles Like Gas Cars

The advantages and attributes of electric vehicles are upending the traditional remarketing cycle, requiring fleet sellers to rely on new factors and approaches detailed below.

Read More →
Yellow Slate pickup truck on a platform.
Green Fleetby Martin RomjueJune 26, 2026

Slate Debuts Colorful, Unique EV Models

A recent media and client event, studded with electric vehicles dressed up on platforms, planted a new position for the manufacturer in the wider EV market. Fleets will find cost-saving advantages.

Read More →
Yellow Slate Fastback on a raised platform in a warehouse.
Green Fleetby Martin RomjueJune 25, 2026

Slate Electric SUV, Pickup Switchable Model Aims For Light-Duty Fleets

Everything about this EV is counterintuitive and understated, making it stand out from the crowd.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Rendering of electric vehicles charging beneath a solar-panel canopy, illustrating Inspiration Mobility Group’s acquisition of Electrada assets to expand commercial fleet electrification services.
Green Fleetby News/Media ReleaseJune 17, 2026

Inspiration Mobility Acquires Key Electrada Assets

Inspiration Mobility Group has acquired select assets of Electrada, adding the fleet electrification provider's team, technology, and charging infrastructure development capabilities to its energy management business.

Read More →
wheel geotab image
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter

Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.

Read More →
fleetio coast pay
SponsoredMay 29, 2026

Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?

Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredMay 15, 2026

Hybrids: Electrification Without the Challenges

For fleet managers, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget — and it's one hybrids can shrink without changing how your people work. Download the eBook to see the numbers, understand the technology, and get a step-by-step guide to making the switch.

Read More →
Sketch of chassis cab truck.
Green Fleetby Chris BrownMarch 9, 2026

Startup ZMD Motors Developing Electric Conversion for Ram 5500 Work Trucks

Detroit-based company says it has begun early development of a system to convert internal combustion Ram 5500 chassis-cab trucks to electric power.

Read More →
EV charging symbol
Green Fleetby Chris BrownFebruary 12, 2026

U.S. EV Adoption Is Climbing, but Commercial and Passenger Markets Diverge

New industry group data revealed that light-duty electric vehicle sales are hitting record market share and volumes, while commercial EV volume dipped. What’s driving the fluctuations?

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A side view of the yellow, blue, and red Slate Auto electric pick-up truck and SUV
Upfittingby Martin RomjueDecember 8, 2025

How To Upfit Electric Work Trucks and Vans

The biggest challenge lies in balancing additional equipment and accessories with EV battery capacity and range.

Read More →