It’s usually the launch announcement of a big-ticket mobile phone worth a few hundred bucks that gets the internet melting. Many users help social networking channels register impressive activity numbers by posting updates about their newest possession, while others lash out desperate sighs on the same social channels about being unable to procure the device on the first day of its public launch.
This time around, though, the digital world has gone mental about a car that fits perfectly in the setting — the Tesla Model 3. Usually when a new Ferrari or a Pagani model come along that the world’s been dreaming about, the online buzz that peaks out overworking the servers. That’s the global impact such high-profile and exclusive cars have. But the last time around a $35,000 (approximately Rs 23 lakh in Indian money) car became all the rage was… well, it’s hard to think of such a car.
Who’d have imagined an all-electric family car made by a technology company would become such a big sensation that it’d end up selling in excess of 250,000 units in barely a couple of days since its launch?
The Model 3 is Tesla’s ‘car for the masses’ attempt after putting out two high-priced luxury offerings — the Model S and Model X — in the market. On offer to be reserved for as low as $1000, the Model 3 flaunts a driving range of 215 miles (346Km) and can do a naught to 60mph (96.5Km/h).
Elon Musk has been working on the Gigafactory — a facility for producing lithium-ion batteries — and a popular model like the Model 3 that can generate big sales numbers is crucial for its optimal working. The Gigafactory is going to be in operation by 2017.
There’s a very interesting trivia that some might not know here. Elon Musk actually wanted to call what the world knows as Model 3, as Model E. That would’ve spelt out ‘SEX’ arranging the three models names in order — Model S, Model E, Model X. But, Ford did not give up its trademark on Model E, and that’s why Model E became Model 3.
Some pundits believe that people are queuing over for the Model E and inflating its numbers because the US government gives out a $7,500 tax credit for buying an electric car when a manufacturer crosses a sales figure of 200,000 vehicles. If reports are to be believed, Tesla has a stock of around 110,000 units of the Model 3 ready for shipment, but to satisfy the order list that’s exceeded 200,000, the company might take up to 20 months for the production to be ramped up to cater to piling demand.
