India-bound Tesla delivers record 180,570 cars in Q4, misses 2020 target of 500,000 by just 450 units

Tesla is on a roll. The American EV manufacturer, which is currently the most valuable carmaker in the world, has reported record production of 179,757 cars and deliveries of 180,570 units in Q4 (October-December 2020) That is nearly twice is Q2 production (82,272) and sales (90,650).

For the full calendar year 2020, Tesla produced 509,737 cars and managed to deliver a record 499,550 units – missing its targeted 500,000 units by a whisker – just 450 units. A justifiably happy Elon Musk tweeted on January 2, “So proud of the Tesla team for achieving this major milestone! At the start of Tesla, I thought we had (optimistically) a 10% chance of surviving at all.”

According to elektrek.co, production-wise, Tesla registered robust 24% quarter-on-quarter growth and handsome 71% growth year-on year. In terms of sales, the EV maker achieved 30% QoQ growth and 61% YoY growth. And for the overall year, the sales increase is as good as 36% YoY, this despite the Covid-19 pandemic that has impacted all key markets.

The company will be in full charge this year. Where Tesla stands to gain over other global automakers is its hugely efficient manufacturing operation. Tesla has already commenced Model Y production in China (with deliveries slated to begin shortly), and will begin Model Y and Model 3 production in Germany and Model Y assembly in Texas later this year.  

At present, Tesla manufactures a total of four vehicles, two of which are sedans (Model 3 and Model S) and two are SUVs (Model X and Model Y). The Model 3 is the one which is likely to come to India.

India entry this year
In end-December 2020, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, confirmed that Tesla is set to commence its India operations in ‘early 2021’. He went on to state that Tesla will begin its India journey by setting up its own sales network, and will evaluate local assembly or manufacturing at a later date, based on market response.

The Model 3 is the most affordable Tesla. There is the rear-wheel-drive Standard Range Plus, which has a range of 423km and a 0-100kph time of under 6 seconds. Dual-motor versions including the Long Range AWD, which can do 0-100kph in under 4.5 seconds and has a range of 568km, and the range-topping Performance, which boasts of a 0-100kph time of a little over 3 seconds, a top speed of over 260kph and also features upgraded brakes.

While the base US$ 35,000 version of the Model 3 is no longer offered, the Model 3 still remains a relatively accessible vehicle overseas. In India, however, it is likely to be priced upwards of Rs 55 lakh as it will be shipped to India in CBU form.

Tesla's manufacturing capacity at H2 CY2020.