AI illustration: Tesla back to profit in Q3 2019
TeslaBusiness & Money
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Tesla Q3 2019 earnings: Elon called the profit, delivered

Elon Musk promised Tesla profitable in the third quarter of 2019 by Sep 30, 2019. It happened, but 23 days late.

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“From a profitability standpoint, we expect to be probably around break-even this quarter and profitable next quarter.”
— Elon Musk · Jul 24, 2019 · Tesla Q2 2019 earnings call, 2019-07-24 (transcript) ↗
What actually happened

Musk expected Tesla to be profitable in Q3 2019. Tesla reported a surprise Q3 2019 net profit of $143 million. Ars Technica Oct 2019 — Tesla made $143 million in Q3 2019 ↗

The Progression

Jul 24, 2019
The promise: “From a profitability standpoint, we expect to be probably around break-even this quarter and profitable next quarter.” · Tesla Q2 2019 earnings call, 2019-07-24 (transcript) ↗
Oct 23, 2019
Delivered — 23 days late. Musk expected Tesla to be profitable in Q3 2019. Tesla reported a surprise Q3 2019 net profit of $143 million. Ars Technica Oct 2019 — Tesla made $143 million in Q3 2019 ↗
Today · Oct 12, 2026
Status: Delivered · 23 days late. It happened.

On Tesla's July 2019 earnings call, after two quarterly losses, Elon Musk said Tesla expected to be around break-even that quarter and profitable the next. Tesla earned $143 million in Q3 2019.

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Receipts

LAST CHECKED 2026-10-11

Tesla’s record

Delivered
70
53% of resolved claims delivered.
Missed
63
Deadline passed, still no-show.
Still open
37
On the clock now. All 170 Tesla claims →

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