Source: Daily Automotive News TESLA Q3 SALES STUN CRITICS Tesla surprised its critics with a strong sales surge in the third quarter. They came in just under half a million units, up 7.4% from a year ago, but up a strong 29% from the second quarter of 2025. We think that’s an important comparison. A year ago Elon Musk hadn’t hit his peak involvement in conservative politics, which turned off many of Tesla’s potential customers. So the strong sales of the last three months could suggest that Tesla has turned the corner and is bringing buyers back into the fold. But Tesla’s numbers also show that the company sold almost 50,000 vehicles more than it built in the third quarter. That means it had an awful lot of cars in inventory. . . . AMERICAN CAR BUYERS WANT $5,000 DISCOUNTS ON EVs Now that the federal tax credits for purchasing an EV have been eliminated, analysts expect a big drop in sales. And a new Harris Poll found that will likely be the case. Nearly a third of consumers who were likely to purchase an EV are now much less likely to consider or won’t buy an EV at all without the incentives. And of that same group, 60% said they would need an incentive of at least $5,000 to consider an EV and about 30% said they would need an incentive between $2,500 and $5,000. But we’d point out that while the federal credits are gone, the deals aren’t going away. Automakers like GM, Ford, Stellantis, BMW, Hyundai and Rivian, are offering discounts for EVs and PHEVs that are currently in inventory. . . . This burst of new Tesla sales means a growth of trade-in, used Teslas. With abundant supply, used prices should decrease in Q4 and become more critical in Q1 2026. A buyer's market. Curious how the $5 k suggested comes close to the former, $4,750 for two year old, under $25 k sold by a dealer. Bob Wilson
how could it stun anyone? everyone knew there would be a buying surge due to the credit going away. and now i read that mfg's have discovered a loophole, allowing them to apply the $7,500. to leases until 12/31.
Bob: My hybrid SUV versus your MY of roughly the same era: Costs: Less initial cost by $20k for version with every option/feature including processing fee ($20k invested since July 7, 2019 worth $45K+ today) Both ordered online. Mine picked up a month after ordering. Mine easily negotiated by email at more than 10% discount versus list price Cheaper to insure Less depreciation More service costs Cheaper lifetime fuel costs when compared to frequent posts No need for modifications to home for fueling No need to make house modifications when you move Cheaper tires available Cheaper to repair after an accident Convenience:. Longer traction battery warranty More fueling stations All gas nozzles fit, no need to carry adapters No need to find a fueling stop in the next 30/50 miles No need to hunt for a fueling location with obscure signage. Most fueling locations have roof overhead for bad weather fueling. Faster fueling by 5X or more Longer range between fueling need by 100%+ Can wait for a better fuel price with no range anxiety Speedometer in front of driver Smaller map display More usable cargo area Safer exit in an emergency No reliance on unmet CEO promises to install the needed hardware for autonomous driving More repair locations No at home repair visits (But my dealer is perhaps 2 miles away on the way to town and gives free rides back to my house) Both subject to model model issues More third party parts available Replacement tires available with same delivery delay 4WD standard No dog mode FSD only on well marked highways. Active forum support seems the same for DIY work. Intangibles: No Elon financial support (My IRA owns 1.39% of its holdings as Tesla so relatively unavoidable) Not driving the shiny new thing No worry about politically driven damage Looks about the same after 5 years as current model Don't have to carry a gun when refueling Emissions: Much more lifetime emissions What have I missed? ( Besides I should have waited for the plug-in hybrid version.)
