Tesla has killed off the $35,000 version of the Model 3 for good, having previously only sold it in limited numbers.
The Tesla Model 3 was unveiled as a prototype in early 2016 with the promise of a $35,000 starting price. It took until 2019 before the entry-level Standard Range variant hit the market but after just a few months on sale, it was taken off the Tesla website and could only be ordered “off menu.” What’s more, those $35,000 examples that were sold were in fact Standard Range Plus models that had some software-locked features and a $3,000 discount.
Read Also: Tesla Starts Importing China-Built Model 3 To Europe
Hot on the heels of Tesla launching the tweaked 2021 Model 3, the car manufacturer has informed its staff that they can no longer take a Model 3 Standard Range Plus, ‘downgrade’ it to a Standard Range spec, and sell it for $35,000.
With this being said, Tesla dealers are still permitted to sell $35,000 Model 3s from earlier model years that they may still have in their inventory.
While it’s a bit of a disappointment that Tesla never really sold and marketed a $35,000 Model 3 as much as many had expected, the Model 3 Standard Range Plus can be purchased from $37,990, a competitive price for the technologies and features that it offers. Those with a larger budget can pay $46,990 for the Long Range or $54,990 for the Model 3 Performance.
Elon Musk still has plans for Tesla to build an affordable EV. In fact, he recently announced plans to build an electric vehicle for $25,000.
Note: 2021 Tesla Model 3 pictured.
