Two nights ago, Tesla boss Elon Musk sent out a tweet telling his millions of followers that there was 48 hours left to buy a new EV and still qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit from the U.S. government.
Nothing wrong for being a shill for your company and its products on social media, but it’s becoming more clear as to why he was so motivated to try to drum of up sales for a company that supposedly has a lengthy waiting list for new Model 3 sedans.
Tesla has more than 3,000 Model 3s left in inventory in the United States as of Sunday, according to website Electrek, which cited people familiar with the matter.
In fact, he sent out a separate tweet with a list of Tesla stores that would be open until midnight so they could get in just under the wire with their new purchase.
(Tesla sets up leasing entity in China, adds two directors. Click Here for the story.)
It’s possible that buyers will actually take delivery of their new purchases tonight, it seems unlikely that Tesla will blow through the entire inventory of 3,000 vehicles, the website noted. However, it’s not just Tesla devotees that he’s been pitching on the purchase of a new vehicle.
He’s been emailing employees, offering them incentives to buy a new vehicle before the end of the year. According to emails published by Electrek, the company’s been offering free Enhanced Autopilot and the full Self-Driving packages: a $13,000 discount.
Plus, he’s added more enticements in recent days, according to the email.
(Click Here for more about Tesla hustling to build new plant in China.)
“Important point I forgot to mention is that, since we still only have premium interior available for Model 3, the $5,000 premium interior cost will be waived for this program. For those who have already ordered as part of the FSD program, Tesla will honor the discount.”
Additionally, Musk told employees that they can even apply accrued paid time off to the purchase of a vehicle. For the public, Tesla’s been pushing the idea of getting an EV before the end of the year for a few months now.
Officials said earlier in the month that they were “doing everything” possible to make sure those who ordered a vehicle as late as Dec. 20 could take delivery by Dec. 31. Additionally, Musk promised to reimburse customers if delivery delays cause them to miss out the full $7,500 tax credit.
(Tesla has a smelly Easter egg in its latest infotainment system – a fart app. Click Here for more.)
Earlier this year, Tesla said orders placed by Oct. 15 would be eligible for the full tax credit of $7,500 and that customers would receive their cars by the end of the year.
Gee, andit seems only yesterday that Musk was proclaiming that Tesla woud never discount any cars. It was a firm principle. And Tesla is still claiming how many hundreds of thousands on its Model 3 waiting list? Word was a month ago that 20% had departed.