AI illustration: $35,000 Model 3 ships 3–6 months after 5k/week
TeslaCars & Energy
Delivered · Late

$35k Tesla Model 3: promised in 3–6 months, delivered late

Elon Musk promised the $35,000 Tesla Model 3 by Jan 1, 2019. It happened, but 58 days late.

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“With production, 1st you need achieve target rate & then smooth out flow to achieve target cost. Shipping min cost Model 3 right away wd cause Tesla to lose money & die. Need 3 to 6 months after 5k/wk to ship $35k Tesla & live.”
— Elon Musk · May 21, 2018 · @elonmusk on X, May 21 2018 ↗
See his original post on XLoads Elon's actual tweet, right here.
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What actually happened

Tesla reached 5,000 Model 3/week at the end of June 2018, putting Musk's window at Oct 2018–Jan 1 2019. Tesla announced the $35,000 Standard Model 3 on Feb 28 2019, roughly two months late; it was moved to off-menu in-store ordering weeks later. Tesla blog Feb 28 2019 — The $35,000 Tesla Model 3 Is Available Now (403 to bots; check in browser) ↗

The Progression

May 21, 2018
The promise: “With production, 1st you need achieve target rate & then smooth out flow to achieve target cost. Shipping min cost Model 3 right away wd cause Tesla to lose money & die. Need 3 to 6 months after 5k/wk to ship $35k Tesla & live.” · @elonmusk on X, May 21 2018 ↗
Feb 28, 2019
Delivered · Late — 58 days late. Tesla reached 5,000 Model 3/week at the end of June 2018, putting Musk's window at Oct 2018–Jan 1 2019. Tesla announced the $35,000 Standard Model 3 on Feb 28 2019, roughly two months late; it was moved to off-menu in-store ordering weeks later. Tesla blog Feb 28 2019 — The $35,000 Tesla Model 3 Is Available Now (403 to bots; check in browser) ↗
Today · Oct 11, 2026
Status: Delivered · Late · 58 days late. It happened — eventually.

In May 2018 Elon Musk said Tesla needed three to six months after reaching 5,000 Model 3s a week before it could ship the $35,000 version. Tesla hit that rate at the end of June 2018 and announced the $35,000 Model 3 on February 28, 2019, about two months past the window.

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Receipts

LAST CHECKED 2026-10-11

Tesla’s record

Delivered
57
52% of resolved claims delivered.
Missed
53
Deadline passed, still no-show.
Still open
35
On the clock now. All 145 Tesla claims →

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