Tesla plans to sell 500,000 cars per annum after Model 3 release
As Tesla moves on to focus on the production of the forthcoming $35,000 Model 3, the company still has ambitious plans for the existing Models S and X. Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, recently commented: “...I think over time, the combined X and S demand is, you know, maybe a hundred thousand units per year, or maybe a bit more as we mature various markets.” It is worth noting that 100,000 units is approximately double Tesla’s current annual production rate. However, the ambitious numbers don’t end there, with Musk going on to say that after Model 3 launches, he hopes to sell up to another 400,000 cars per year, which holds true to his previous stated goal of reaching 500,000 units sold per year. 

Originally published on EV Obsession.

While Tesla’s longterm goals are largely centered around the upcoming release of the “affordable” Model 3, the Model S and the Model X are quite notable vehicles in their own right. During a recent interview, Musk commented on this, noting that he expected Model S and Model X demand to (together) top 100,000 units a year.

The exact comments were: “I think the demand for the Model 3 is going to be very good. As it is, we’ve got pretty good demand for the X and the S. And I think over time, the combined X and S demand is, you know, maybe a hundred thousand units per year, or maybe a bit more as we mature various markets.”

Considering current sales numbers for the Model S (and projected ones for the Model X), that means that Musk is predicting that sales will continue growing quite substantially over the coming years. One would suppose that the comment about maturing “various markets” is a reference to China, amongst other places. Considering the potential in that market, one can see how Musk may end up being correct in the long run.

Specifics as far as timing weren’t revealed in the interview (perhaps for the best, as then Musk can’t possibly miss the deadline, can he?), but the presumption would be that this would occur in the years after the release of the Model 3 — given the context of the comment.

Musk also noted: “And with the (Tesla) Model 3 and various iterations on that platform, I’m really confident that we can do, you know, another 300,000 or 400,000 cars per year.”

Musk may himself be confident on that matter, but many of the rest of us will probably have to wait to see the numbers till we take those numbers for granted. With Chevy, Nissan, and others gearing up to begin offering “affordable” electric vehicles (EVs) with ranges of 200+ miles per charge as well, there will be competition there.

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