► Tesla sales shooting up, says Elon Musk
► Model X crossover could ‘double’ output
► Cheaper Model 3 set for 2017 release
It seems Tesla has plugged itself into the world’s rising demand for elecric vehicles (EV) at just the right time: the all-electric American manufacturer is just weeks away from showing the world its Model X crossover in production trim – and predicts that it could double sales.
Chief executive Elon Musk says the new Model X will turbocharge the company’s sales volume, surpassing his 55,000 sales target for 2015. Even before the arrival of the new SUV, Tesla has already met 42% of its annual goal, according to news wire Bloomberg.
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Tesla EVs: a record quarter in Q2 2015
The Silicon Valley based company expects 2015 to be its most successful since its launch in 2003. And with good reason: Tesla has just posted its strongest-ever quarter, selling 11,507 models around the world between March and June 2015.
Analysts say the ongoing improvement and global roll-out of the Model S – converted to all-wheel-drive in spring 2015 – has helped boost sales.
Watt’s next for Tesla?
Tesla plans to introduce a smaller, cheaper electric vehicle in 2017. The Model 3 will start at $35,000 (£22,700), as opposed to the $75,000 (£48,600) for the base Model S, and will feature a smaller battery with a range of up to 200 miles, according to Tesla.
And analysts suggest the company’s fortunes could improve further if they start selling cars in Russia; today wealthy Russians are paying almost double the list price for grey imports.