Tesla Model 3: referral codes, prices, range, reviews and UK release

Tesla Model 3: First car to leave production line today

7 July

Tesla is due to roll its first Model 3 electric saloon off the production line today in preparation for a handover party for the first 30 customers at the end of the month.

Earlier this week, company founder Elon Musk confirmed on Twitter that the entry-level EV had "passed all regulatory requirements for production two weeks ahead of schedule" and that the first car would be completed "on Friday".

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The South African-born entrepreneur and inventor later announced that the first 30 people who placed an order on the Model 3 will be thrown a "handover party" on 28 July.

Production is expected to increase from 100 units in August to 1,500 in September, with the firm hoping to produce 20,000 cars per month by December.

Tesla will ramp up manufacturing next year, says The Verge, with the target of producing 500,000 vehicles every year.

It appears the firm won't have any difficulties selling them neither - more than 400,000 people have paid the £1,000 deposit to reserve a Model 3 since the car's debut last March, adds the site.

Musk thanked "all that own a or ordered a Tesla", saying "it matters to us that you took a risk on a new car company.

"We won't forget", he added.

The Model 3 will be the cheapest car in the company's range, says TechCrunch, as it comes with a price tag of $35,000 (£27,000). That undercuts the entry-level Model S 75 by around £34,000 and is nearly £50,000 cheaper than the Model X SUV.

In a recent investor call, Musk revealed he plans to "ant-sell" the Model 3 to show fans the Model S is "better" because "it's a more expensive car". This was an attempt to clear up confusion around the name, as some customers believed giving the Model 3 a number meant it was a superior vehicle to the range-topping Model S.