Written by Cláudio Afonso | [email protected] | LinkedIn | X
(Info: This article was updated as the Tesla Model 3 Performance seen in Berlin is not a customer car as initially disclosed.)
On Friday, a Tesla Model 3 Performance was spotted in Berlin, Germany, as the company prepares to start delivering the first units this month. Earlier in the week, several thousand units were shipped from Tesla’s Gigafactory in the Chinese city of Shanghai to Europe via the Shanghai Nangang Terminal.
The new Model 3 Performance for the European markets features 460 horsepower and goes from 0 to 100km/h in 3.1 seconds while the version produced for the US market, does 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds and 510 hp.
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Tesla says the new Performance model has “significantly less” road and wind noise while bringing enhanced sound system and a redesigned interior with more comfortable seats and a infotainment screen to the rear seats.
After a comparison with Porsche when delivering the first Cybertrucks to customers, Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk mentioned the German brand again on X stating that the new Performance is “quicker than a Porsche 911.”
In China, the Performance All-Wheel Drive (AWD) variants start at 335,900 yuan — equivalent to $46,400. According to Tesla China website, the new variant has 623 km of range based on the CLTC standard.
In the United States, the Performance variant is priced at $53,990 (before applying the $7,500 Federal EV tax credit). In Canada, the model starts at CA $69,990 and the first deliveries are expected to start in June.
Earlier this week, S&P Global Ratings reiterated its “BBB” credit rating for Tesla as it expects the company to maintain low debt while defending its “strong market share, profitability, and liquidity”.
The rating is the second-lowest investment grade and is described by S&P as “Adequate capacity to meet financial commitments, but more subject to adverse economic conditions”.
“Despite price cuts to combat weakening affordability in a high interest rate environment, we expect Tesla’s EBITDA margin to remain strong over the next two years,” it can be read in the statement.
Earlier this week, chief executive Elon Musk emailed Executives warning that the company needs “need to be absolutely hard core about headcount and cost reduction” as layoff continues.
“Starting at 10 AM EST Tuesday, I will ask for the resignation of any executive who retains more than three people who don’t obviously pass the excellent, necessary, and trustworthy test,” Musk wrote according to The Information.
Written by Cláudio Afonso | [email protected] | LinkedIn | X
