Tesla Model 3#Automobile Racing

File:Some of the Tesla Model 3 design sketches (26200187902).jpg

File:2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance AWD Rear.jpg

In a 2006 interview with Wired Science, Elon Musk presented the {{nowrap|Model 3}} as likely being affordable by most people able to purchase new cars, aiming for a $30,000 price point.{{Cite interview |last=Musk |first=Elon |title=Interview with Elon Musk |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onajosm9PWo&t=2m48s |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074810/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onajosm9PWo&t=2m48s |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |url-status=live |work=Wired Science |date=January 7, 2007 |quote=Model 3 is intended to be around a $30,000 price point, so that's really affordable by almost everyone who can buy new cars |author-link=Elon Musk}} In 2008 the car was stated to be a family car.{{Cite news |last=LaMonica |first=Martin |date=September 24, 2008 |title=Tesla's 'Bluestar' to be all-electric family car |publisher=CNET |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/teslas-bluestar-to-be-all-electric-family-car/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917215359/https://www.cnet.com/news/teslas-bluestar-to-be-all-electric-family-car/ |archive-date=September 17, 2018}} In 2017 Tesla added that the Standard Range version of the all-electric car would have an estimated EPA-rated range of {{convert|215|mi}}, a five-passenger seating capacity, front and rear trunks, and promised sports-car levels of acceleration performance.{{Better source needed|date=April 2018}}{{Cite press release |title=Tesla publishes Model 3 vs. Model S specifications in employee-only handout |publisher=Tesla |url=https://forums.teslarati.com/threads/tesla-publishes-model-3-vs-model-s-specifications-in-employee-only-handout.3609/ |access-date=May 23, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730014214/https://forums.teslarati.com/threads/tesla-publishes-model-3-vs-model-s-specifications-in-employee-only-handout.3609/ |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |via=Teslarati Forum |year=2017}}{{Cite web |date=October 18, 2017 |title=Is this a Tesla Model 3 Performance version spied testing at the Fremont factory? |url=https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-3-performance-version-spied-test-track/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207140753/https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-3-performance-version-spied-test-track/ |archive-date=December 7, 2017 |access-date=December 7, 2017 |website=teslarati.com |language=en-US}} Tesla said it would have a five-star safety rating and have a {{Cd|link=car|long=yes|0.225}}.{{Cite press release |title=Press Kit |publisher=Tesla |location=US |url=https://www.tesla.com/presskit |access-date=March 4, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315094117/https://www.tesla.com/presskit |archive-date=March 15, 2018}} This is lower than the Tesla Model S {{Cd|long=yes|0.24}}, which, in 2014, was the lowest among the production cars of the time.

Within a week of unveiling the Model 3 in 2016, Tesla revealed they had taken 325,000 reservations for the car. These reservations represented potential sales of over {{USD|14 billion}}.{{Cite news |last=Hull |first=Dana |date=April 7, 2016 |title=Tesla Says It Received More Than 325,000 Model 3 Reservations |work=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-07/tesla-says-model-3-pre-orders-surge-to-325-000-in-first-week |url-status=live |access-date=April 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407192859/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-07/tesla-says-model-3-pre-orders-surge-to-325-000-in-first-week |archive-date=April 7, 2016}} By August 2017, there were 455,000 net reservations.{{Cite web |last=Crosbie |first=Jack |date=August 2, 2017 |title=Elon Musk Finally Reveals the Number of Tesla Model 3 Reservations |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/35011-tesla-model-3-reservations-number |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813082215/https://www.inverse.com/article/35011-tesla-model-3-reservations-number |archive-date=August 13, 2017 |access-date=August 2, 2017 |website=inverse.com |location=US}}{{Cite news |last=Fiegerman |first=Seth |date=August 3, 2017 |title=Tesla now averaging more than 1,800 Model 3 reservations a day |work=CNN Money |url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/08/02/technology/business/tesla-earnings/index.html?iid=hp-stack-dom |url-status=live |access-date=August 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803212821/http://money.cnn.com/2017/08/02/technology/business/tesla-earnings/index.html?iid=hp-stack-dom |archive-date=August 3, 2017}}

Industry experts were dubious when, in May 2016, Tesla announced its decision to advance its 500,000-total-unit build plan (combined for Model S, Model X, and Model 3) to 2018, two years earlier than previously planned, in order to accelerate its target for Model 3 output.{{Cite news |last1=Lienert |first1=Paul |last2=Sage |first2=Alexandria |date=May 20, 2016 |title=Exclusive: Suppliers question Tesla's goals for Model 3 output |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-suppliers/exclusive-suppliers-question-teslas-goals-for-model-3-output-idUSKCN0YB0CA |url-status=live |access-date=April 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420074238/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-suppliers/exclusive-suppliers-question-teslas-goals-for-model-3-output-idUSKCN0YB0CA |archive-date=April 20, 2018}}{{Cite news |last1=Goliya |first1=Kshitiz |last2=Sage |first2=Alexandria |date=May 4, 2016 |title=Tesla puts pedal to the metal, 500,000 cars planned in 2018 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-results-idUSKCN0XV2JL |url-status=live |access-date=May 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507105038/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-results-idUSKCN0XV2JL |archive-date=May 7, 2016}}{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2016 |title=Tesla shareholders letter:Tesla First Quarter 2016 Update |url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/2007076272x0x889927/27EE2FDA-9C77-4D6A-8CEE-E8DFE45227BA/Q1_2016_Tesla_Shareholder_Letter.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601053039/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/2007076272x0x889927/27EE2FDA-9C77-4D6A-8CEE-E8DFE45227BA/Q1_2016_Tesla_Shareholder_Letter.pdf |archive-date=June 1, 2016 |access-date=May 7, 2016 |publisher=Tesla Inc.}} As predicted, there were "production bottlenecks" and "production hell". In May 2016, Tesla issued {{USD|2 billion}} in new shares to the stock market to finance the plan.{{Cite news |last=Lienert |first=Paul |date=May 18, 2016 |title=Tesla plans $2 billion stock sale to accelerate Model 3 program |work=Automotive News |location=US |url=http://www.autonews.com/article/20160518/OEM/160519857/tesla-plans-2-billion-stock-sale-to-accelerate-model-3-program |url-status=live |access-date=May 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730134700/https://www.autonews.com/article/20160518/OEM/160519857/tesla-plans-2-billion-stock-sale-to-accelerate-model-3-program |archive-date=July 30, 2019}}

The company plans for the Model 3 are part of Tesla's three-step strategy to start with a high-price vehicle and move progressively towards lower-cost vehicles, while the battery and electric drivetrain were improved and paid for through the sales of the Roadster, Model S, and Model X vehicles.{{Cite news |last=Perkins |first=Chris |date=July 20, 2016 |title=Tesla Motors Will Produce a Semi Truck and a Model 3-Based Pickup |work=Road & Track |url=http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/news/a30051/tesla-secret-master-plan-elon-musk-trucks/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802044026/http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/news/a30051/tesla-secret-master-plan-elon-musk-trucks/ |archive-date=August 2, 2017}}

On April 18, 2018, Tesla updated its production target to 6,000 vehicles per week by the end of June 2018, an increase from its previous target of 5,000 vehicles per week which was previously promised at earlier dates.{{Cite news |last=Isidore |first=Chris |title=Tesla will start working 24/7 to crank out Model 3s |work=CNNMoney |url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/04/18/news/companies/elon-musk-tesla-model-3-production/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418204050/http://money.cnn.com/2018/04/18/news/companies/elon-musk-tesla-model-3-production/index.html |archive-date=April 18, 2018}}{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2017 |title=Elon Musk Says This Is Tesla's 'Biggest Problem' |url=http://fortune.com/2017/11/01/tesla-elon-musk-model-3-earnings/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105045436/http://fortune.com/2017/11/01/tesla-elon-musk-model-3-earnings/ |archive-date=November 5, 2017 |access-date=November 5, 2017 |website=Fortune}}{{Cite news |last=Randall |first=Tom |date=November 4, 2017 |title=How the Model 3 delay is burning Tesla's other projects |work=Daily Herald |location=Chicago |url=http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20171104/how-the-model-3-delay-is-burning-teslas-other-projects |url-status=live |access-date=November 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105060304/http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20171104/how-the-model-3-delay-is-burning-teslas-other-projects |archive-date=November 5, 2017}}{{Cite news |date=January 3, 2018 |title=Tesla's Model 3 Challenges Leave Little 'Wiggle Room' on Cash |work=Bloomberg.com |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-03/tesla-delays-model-production-goal-as-deliveries-miss-estimates |url-status=live |access-date=January 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105004449/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-03/tesla-delays-model-production-goal-as-deliveries-miss-estimates |archive-date=January 5, 2018}} On July 1, 2018, Elon Musk announced that Tesla had met its production goal of 5,000 cars in a week.{{Cite tweet |number=1013519243030253570 |user=elonmusk |title=7000 cars, 7 days [...] |first=Elon |last=Musk |access-date=July 1, 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701204629/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1013519243030253570 |archive-date=July 1, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=July 1, 2018 |title=Tesla reaches Model 3 production milestone and record 7,000-car week total production, says Elon Musk |language=en-US |work=Electrek |url=https://electrek.co/2018/07/01/tesla-model-3-production-milestone-record-total-production-elon-musk/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701220140/https://electrek.co/2018/07/01/tesla-model-3-production-milestone-record-total-production-elon-musk/ |archive-date=July 1, 2018}}{{Cite news |last1=Sage |first1=Alexandria |last2=Rodriguez |first2=Salvador |date=July 2, 2018 |title=Exclusive: Tesla hits Model 3 manufacturing milestone, hours after... |work=Reuters |location=US |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-model3-exclusive/exclusive-tesla-hits-model-3-manufacturing-milestone-hours-after-deadline-factory-sources-idUSKBN1JR1WX |url-status=live |access-date=July 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701193312/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-model3-exclusive/exclusive-tesla-hits-model-3-manufacturing-milestone-hours-after-deadline-factory-sources-idUSKBN1JR1WX |archive-date=July 1, 2018}}

On February 28, 2019, Tesla announced the availability of the highly anticipated Standard Range trim priced at {{US$|35000|2019|long=no}}.{{Cite news |date=February 28, 2019 |title=$35,000 Tesla Model 3 Available Now |url=https://www.tesla.com/fr_BE/blog/35000-tesla-model-3-available-now |url-status=live |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301102316/https://www.tesla.com/fr_BE/blog/35000-tesla-model-3-available-now |archive-date=March 1, 2019}} However, on April 12, 2019, Tesla announced that the Standard Range model would no longer be available for ordering online, but only over the phone or in stores. Autopilot, previously a $3,000 option, was included in all versions of the Model 3 except for the Standard Range, while each version's price only increased by $2,000.{{Cite news |last=Capparella |first=Joey |date=April 12, 2019 |title=The "$35,000" Tesla Model 3 Is No More, and It Seems That It Never Was |work=Car and Driver |location=US |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a27120534/tesla-model-3-lineup-changes-standard-range/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412183541/https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a27120534/tesla-model-3-lineup-changes-standard-range/ |archive-date=April 12, 2019}} In February 2019, the Model 3 passed the Chevrolet Volt to become the all-time bestselling plug-in electric car in the U.S.{{Cite web |last=Kane |first=Mark |date=March 12, 2019 |title=US Plug-In Electric Car Sales Charted: February 2019 |url=https://insideevs.com/us-electric-car-sales-charted-february-2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402145015/https://insideevs.com/us-electric-car-sales-charted-february-2019/ |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |access-date=March 12, 2019 |publisher=InsideEVs}}{{Cite web |last=Schmidt |first=Bridie |date=April 15, 2019 |title=Tesla Model 3 becomes all-time best-selling electric car in US |url=https://thedriven.io/2019/04/15/tesla-model-3-becomes-all-time-best-selling-electric-car-in-us/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415120510/https://thedriven.io/2019/04/15/tesla-model-3-becomes-all-time-best-selling-electric-car-in-us/ |archive-date=April 15, 2019 |access-date=April 15, 2019 |website=EV Adoption |publisher=The Driven}} Model 3 sales surpassed the Nissan Leaf in early 2020 to become the world's all-time top selling plug-in electric car.{{Cite news |last=Holland |first=Maximilian |date=March 10, 2020 |title=Tesla Passes 1 Million EV Milestone & Model 3 Becomes All Time Best Seller |work=CleanTechnica |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2020/03/10/tesla-passes-1-million-ev-milestone-and-model-3-becomes-all-time-best-seller/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412045911/https://cleantechnica.com/2020/03/10/tesla-passes-1-million-ev-milestone-and-model-3-becomes-all-time-best-seller/ |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |quote=Tesla's quarterly reports, meanwhile, had put the Model 3's cumulative sales at 447,980 at the end of 2019.}}

During an interview recorded in 2006 Musk referred to {{nowrap|"Model 2"}} (later Tesla Model S), and to {{nowrap|"Model 3"}}. The Model 3 was codenamed Tesla "BlueStar" in the original business plan in 2007.{{Cite tweet |number=500378028141076483 |user=elonmusk |title=Yes. Technically Model 3 or maybe three horizontal bars. Won't be three vertical bars. |first=Elon |last=Musk |date=August 15, 2014}}{{Cite news |last=Welch |first=David |date=July 30, 2007 |title=Tesla: A Carmaker With Silicon Valley Spark |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |url=http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-07-29/tesla-a-carmaker-with-silicon-valley-spark |url-status=dead |access-date=March 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914195549/http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-07-29/tesla-a-carmaker-with-silicon-valley-spark |archive-date=September 14, 2014}}{{Cite web |last=LaMonica |first=Martin |title=Tesla's 'Bluestar' to be all-electric family car |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/teslas-bluestar-to-be-all-electric-family-car/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917215359/https://www.cnet.com/news/teslas-bluestar-to-be-all-electric-family-car/ |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |access-date=August 15, 2020 |publisher=CNET |language=en}} Model 3, originally stylized as "Model ☰", was announced on Musk's Twitter account on July 16, 2014.{{Cite tweet |number=489200343062814720 |user=Tesla |title=Confirmed: Our Gen III car, due out after Model X, will be named Model 3. |author=Tesla |date=July 16, 2014 |access-date=July 18, 2014}} A 2015-presentation by JB Straubel used the name "{{nowrap|Model III}}".{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D9erJtiwuU&t=7m07s |title=Tesla Reimagines the Century-old Power Grid |date=August 30, 2015 |last=Straubel |first=JB |type=offset 7:07 |author-link=JB Straubel |place=Seoul |access-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218160714/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D9erJtiwuU&t=7m07s |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |url-status=live |quote=Product Roadmap … 3rd Generation: Model III |via=YouTube |work=Seoul Digital Forum}} {{As of|2016}} Musk had wanted the three models to spell SEX, but settled for "S3X".{{Cite news |last=Randall |first=Tom |date=March 30, 2016 |title=Elon Musk wanted to name his Model 3 Model E so Tesla's brands would spell SEX. This and other secrets about his newest car |work=Bloomberg News |location=US |url=http://business.financialpost.com/news/transportation/elon-musk-wanted-to-name-his-model-3-model-e-so-teslas-brands-would-spell-sex-this-and-other-secrets-about-his-newest-car |url-status=live |access-date=April 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403041222/http://business.financialpost.com/news/transportation/elon-musk-wanted-to-name-his-model-3-model-e-so-teslas-brands-would-spell-sex-this-and-other-secrets-about-his-newest-car |archive-date=April 3, 2016}} In early 2017, after trademark opposition regarding Adidas's three stripes logo,{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2017 |title=Adidas Says Tesla Logo Is Too Similar To 3-Stripe TM |url=https://www.law360.com/ip/articles/888564/adidas-says-tesla-logo-is-too-similar-to-3-stripe-tm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080719/https://www.law360.com/ip/articles/888564/adidas-says-tesla-logo-is-too-similar-to-3-stripe-tm |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |publisher=Portfolio Media, Inc. |agency=Law360 |location=US}} the triplicate horizontal-bar stylization was abandoned and changed to a numeric "3".{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=February 5, 2017 |title=Tesla Model 3: Elon Musk confirms the branding will be numeric – resulting in 'S3X' vehicle lineup |work=Electrek |location=US |url=https://electrek.co/2017/02/05/tesla-model-3-elon-musk-branding-numeric/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207131450/https://electrek.co/2017/02/05/tesla-model-3-elon-musk-branding-numeric/ |archive-date=February 7, 2017}}

File:Tesla Model X and Model 3 at the unveiling event.jpg (left) and Model 3 (right) at the unveiling event on March 31, 2016]]In September 2015, Tesla announced that the {{nowrap|Model 3}} would be unveiled in March 2016.{{Cite news |last=Heisler |first=Yoni |date=January 7, 2016 |title=Tesla confirms: Model 3 would be unveiled in March |work=BGR |url=http://bgr.com/2016/01/07/tesla-model-3-unveiling/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110224421/http://bgr.com/2016/01/07/tesla-model-3-unveiling/ |archive-date=January 10, 2016}} In January 2016, Musk said that the first official pictures of the car will be revealed at the end of March 2016.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Off7830aMp0&t=12m26s |title=Ma vie en Tesla la rencontre avec Elon Musk |date=January 30, 2016 |access-date=April 1, 2016 |via=YouTube}} Delivery would begin in late 2017 first on the U.S.'s west coast and then move eastwards.{{Cite web |date=March 21, 2016 |title=Reserving your Model 3 |url=https://www.teslamotors.com/blog/reserving-model-3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727123721/https://www.tesla.com/blog/reserving-model-3 |archive-date=July 27, 2019 |access-date=March 22, 2016 |publisher=Tesla, Inc.}} Potential customers were first able to reserve a car at Tesla stores or online on March 31 with a refundable deposit of US$1000.{{Cite web |last=Boylan |first=Chris |date=May 22, 2016 |title=Top 12 Questions On Tesla Model 3 Answered |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2016/05/22/tesla-model-3-faq/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108190143/https://cleantechnica.com/2016/05/22/tesla-model-3-faq/ |archive-date=January 8, 2017 |access-date=January 7, 2017 |website=CleanTechnica}}{{Cite web |date=March 20, 2016 |title=Model 3 Reservation Deposit |url=https://www.teslamotors.com/support/model-3-reservation-deposit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402140129/https://www.teslamotors.com/support/model-3-reservation-deposit |archive-date=April 2, 2016 |access-date=March 22, 2016 |publisher=Tesla Inc.}} In February 2016, Tesla indicated that the unveiling would be on March 31, 2016.{{Cite news |last=Ziegler |first=Chris |date=February 10, 2016 |title=Tesla's Model 3 will be shown on March 31st, 'on schedule' for 2017 production |work=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/10/10961864/tesla-model-3-unveiling-march-31 |url-status=live |access-date=May 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211091843/http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/10/10961864/tesla-model-3-unveiling-march-31 |archive-date=February 11, 2016}} Current owners of Tesla vehicles got priority sales after employees but before the general public, as a reward for helping pay for the development of the Model 3. (Employees and current owners were likely to be more tolerant of early production flaws:{{Cite web |title=Tesla Reliability, Take Two: Are Newer Owners Less Tolerant? |url=https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1100598_tesla-reliability-take-two-are-newer-owners-less-tolerant |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074812/https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1100598_tesla-reliability-take-two-are-newer-owners-less-tolerant |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=February 26, 2020 |website=Green Car Reports |date=October 23, 2015 |language=en}} both the Model S and the Model X had several problems at the start of their production.){{Cite web |date=October 24, 2016 |title=Consumer Reports Car Reliability Survey 2016 |url=http://www.consumerreports.org/car-reliability/car-reliability-survey-2016/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025013526/http://www.consumerreports.org/car-reliability/car-reliability-survey-2016/ |archive-date=October 25, 2016 |access-date=October 24, 2016 |quote=When a car model is brand new or "completely redesigned," that can mean new parts, new systems—and new problems. |magazine=Consumer Reports}}File:People in line to reserve Tesla Model 3.jpg a Model 3 in Walnut Creek, California, in 2016]]

During the Model 3 unveiling event, Tesla said that over 115,000 people had reserved the Model 3 in less than 24 hours prior;{{Cite web |last=Stoll |first=John |date=February 10, 2016 |title=Tesla's Musk: Model 3 Orders Surpassed 115,000 Within 24 Hours |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/teslas-musk-model-3-orders-surpassed-115-000-within-24-hours-1459483890 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401060949/http://www.wsj.com/articles/teslas-musk-model-3-orders-surpassed-115-000-within-24-hours-1459483890 |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |access-date=March 31, 2016 |website=The Wall Street Journal}} more cars than Tesla had sold by that time. Twenty-four hours after opening reservations, Tesla had advanced orders for over 180,000 cars.{{Cite tweet |number=715934657720639488 |user=elonmusk |title=Model 3 orders at 180,000 in 24 hours. Selling price w avg option mix prob $42k, so ~$7.5B in a day. Future of electric cars looking bright! |first=Elon |last=Musk |date=April 1, 2016}}{{Cite web |last=Field |first=Kyle |date=April 1, 2016 |title=200,000 Tesla Model 3 Reservations in Less Than 24 Hours |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2016/04/01/200000-tesla-model-3-reservations-less-24-hours/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204170028/https://cleantechnica.com/2016/04/01/200000-tesla-model-3-reservations-less-24-hours/ |archive-date=February 4, 2017 |access-date=February 3, 2017 |website=CleanTechnica}} Two days later, Tesla said they had 232,000 reservations.{{Cite news |last=Baker |first=David R. |date=April 1, 2016 |title=Tesla Model 3 reservations top 232,000 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Tesla-Model-3-reservations-near-198-000-7223394.php |url-status=live |access-date=September 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905214935/http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Tesla-Model-3-reservations-near-198-000-7223394.php |archive-date=September 5, 2016}} Tesla Motors had sold 107,000 Model S cars by the end of 2015{{Cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Tim |date=April 3, 2016 |title=Tesla Model 3 orders point to potential $11.5bn sales |work=Financial Times |url=http://app.ft.com/cms/s/9a163366-f9de-11e5-8e04-8600cef2ca75.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407224542/http://app.ft.com/cms/s/9a163366-f9de-11e5-8e04-8600cef2ca75.html |archive-date=April 7, 2016}}

One week after the unveiling, Tesla said it had over 325,000 reservations, more than triple the number of Model S sedans sold by the end of 2015. Musk said that 5% of reservations correspond to the maximum of two vehicles allowed per customer, "suggesting low levels of speculation",{{Cite tweet |number=718112326889529344 |user=elonmusk |title=Over 325k cars or ~$14B in preorders in first week. Only 5% ordered max of two, suggesting low levels of speculation. |first=Elon |last=Musk |date=April 7, 2016}} and that 93% of Model 3 reservations are from new buyers who do not currently own a Tesla. The previous record for advance deposits on a car was the 1955 Citroën DS that had 80,000 deposits during the ten days of the Paris Auto Show, while the Model 3 had 232,000 reservations in two days.

According to Tesla's global vice-president Robin Ren, China is the second-largest market for the Model 3 after the US.{{Cite news |last=Kwong |first=Phoenix |date=April 28, 2016 |title=China second-largest market for Tesla's Model 3 car |work=South China Morning Post |url=http://www.scmp.com/business/article/1939574/china-second-largest-market-teslas-model-3-car |url-status=live |access-date=May 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501201750/http://www.scmp.com/business/article/1939574/china-second-largest-market-teslas-model-3-car |archive-date=May 1, 2016}} Tesla said the number of net reservations totaled about 373,000 {{as of|2016|05|15|lc=y|df=US}}, after about 8,000 customer cancellations and about 4,200 reservations canceled by the automaker because these appeared to be duplicates from speculators.{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Jay |date=May 18, 2016 |title=Tesla, Musk Plan $2 Billion Stock Sale To Build Model 3, 373,000 People Reserved |url=http://insideevs.com/tesla-to-raise-2-billion-373000-people-have-reserved-a-model-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519105109/http://insideevs.com/tesla-to-raise-2-billion-373000-people-have-reserved-a-model-3/ |archive-date=May 19, 2016 |access-date=May 18, 2016 |publisher=InsideEVs}}{{Cite news |last=Hull |first=Dana |date=May 18, 2016 |title=Tesla to Sell $1.4 Billion in Shares for Expanded Production |work=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-18/tesla-to-sell-1-4-billion-in-shares-for-expanded-production |url-status=live |access-date=May 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518222049/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-18/tesla-to-sell-1-4-billion-in-shares-for-expanded-production |archive-date=May 18, 2016}} Upon its release in July 2017, there had been over 500,000 reservations for the Model 3,{{Cite news |date=July 29, 2017 |title=Tesla Hands Over First Model 3 Electric Cars to Early Buyers |location=US |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/tesla-hands-over-first-model-3-electric-cars-early-buyers-n787716 |url-status=live |access-date=July 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729044548/http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/tesla-hands-over-first-model-3-electric-cars-early-buyers-n787716 |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |via=NBC News}} with Musk later clarifying there were a net of 455,000 reservations outstanding, and an average of 1,800 reservations were being added per day.

File:2021 Tesla Model 3, front 11.10.21.jpg

In November 2020, the Model 3 received exterior and interior styling changes, many carried over from the then-new Model Y crossover SUV, which was based on the Model 3. The most noticeable cosmetic change was that the previously chrome finished door handles, side mirror trim, window trim, and camera covers were given a black finish.{{Cite news |last=Capparella |first=Joey |date=October 16, 2020 |title=Tesla Model 3 Gets Design Changes Inside and Out, Increased Range |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a34396306/tesla-model-3-design-updates/ |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=Car and Driver}}

Other changes included the addition of a heat pump with an "octovalve" to improve climate control, a power-operated trunk, a redesigned center console with Qi wireless charging pads, and quieter double-pane glass.{{Cite web |last=Moloughney |first=Tom |date=November 26, 2020 |title=2021 Tesla Model 3 vs. 2020 Side by Side Comparison: What's Changed? |url=https://insideevs.com/reviews/456827/2021-tesla-model-3-whats-new/ |access-date=September 1, 2023 |website=InsideEVs |language=en}}

Some hardware has also been removed over time. The adaptive cruise control radar sensor was eliminated in April 2021,{{Cite web |last=Kay |first=Grace |date=March 20, 2023 |title=Tesla reportedly saw an uptick in crashes and mistakes after Elon Musk removed radar from its cars |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-uptick-crashes-accidents-elon-musk-removed-radar-autopilot-report-2023-3 |website=Business Insider}} the front passenger seat lumbar support was removed in May 2021,{{Cite news |last=Yekikian |first=Nick |date=June 7, 2021 |title=Tesla Model 3 and Y Lose Adjustable Lumbar Due to "Almost No Usage" |work=MotorTrend |url=https://www.motortrend.com/news/tesla-model-3-y-lumbar/ |access-date=September 1, 2023}} and the ultrasonic sensors used for park assist were eliminated in October 2022 and replaced with Tesla Vision, Tesla's vision based park assist.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Dev |date=April 3, 2023 |title=Tesla removes parking sensors, its cars start running into things |url=https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/tesla-removes-parking-sensors-to-save-money-the-results-are-predictably-terrible |access-date=September 1, 2023 |website=CarExpert |language=en}}

Tesla announced a design refresh of the Model 3 on September 1, 2023, bringing a longer driving range, lower production costs, technical improvements, and a restyled exterior and interior.{{Cite news |last1=Yan |first1=Zhang |last2=Jin |first2=Hyunjoo |last3=Leussink |first3=Daniel |last4=Goh |first4=Brenda |date=2023-09-01 |title=Tesla releases refreshed Model 3 with longer driving range in China |language=en |work=Reuters |editor-last1=Schmollinger |editor-first1=Christian |editor-last2=Krolicki |editor-first2=Kevin |editor-last3=Fahmy |editor-first3=Miral |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-releases-refreshed-version-model-3-china-website-2023-09-01/ |access-date=2023-09-01}} During development, the refresh was codenamed "Project Highland".{{Cite news |last1=Yan |first1=Zhang |last2=White |first2=Joe |last3=Guilluame |first3=Gilles |last4=Krolicki |first4=Kevin |date=November 28, 2022 |title=Exclusive: Tesla readies revamped Model 3 with project 'Highland' -sources |language=en |work=Reuters |editor-last=Nicolaci da Costa |editor-first=Ana |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-readies-revamped-model-3-with-project-highland-sources-2022-11-28/ |access-date=August 28, 2023}} It was exhibited at the 2023 Munich Motor Show.{{Cite web |title=Tesla lance une nouvelle version de la Model 3: quels changements pour 1000 euros de plus? |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/auto/nouveautes/tesla-lance-une-nouvelle-version-de-la-model-3-quels-changements-pour-1000-euros-de-plus_AN-202309010646.html |website=bfmtv}}

Tesla said the refreshed Model 3 improved range around 10%, largely from a lower and more aerodynamic nose along with a better rear diffuser and more aerodynamic wheels. The tires protrude slightly from the rims, protecting them from curb rash. They have lower rolling resistance, but no compromise in lateral performance or steering response. This was enabled by changing materials and removing 1 ply (made possible by lowering the top, rarely used, speed). The gap between tire and body was reduced.{{cite AV media|title=Model 3 update|first1=Franz |last1=von Holzhausen|first2=Lars|last2=Moravy|author-link1=Franz von Holzhausen|date=February 2024|url= https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1kvKpvqLWnoJE|access-date=2024-02-08}} The {{Cd|0.219|long=yes}} improved from 0.225.

Redesigned tail lights eliminated the vertical break between trunk and side.

Interior additions included an {{Convert|8|inch|adj=on}} touchscreen (with Bluetooth audio) for rear seat passengers, ventilated front seats, up to 17-speaker sound system (up from 14), customizable interior accent lighting, and a new steering wheel without turn signal and gear selector stalks.{{Cite news |last=Stoklosa |first=Alexander |date=October 18, 2023 |title=New Tesla Model 3 vs. Old Tesla Model 3: All the Changes Side-By-Side |url=https://www.motortrend.com/features/new-tesla-model-3-vs-old-tesla-model-3-side-by-side/ |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=Motor Trend}} In June 2024, the Edmunds website called the turn signal buttons on the steering wheel "unsafe", criticizing both the absence of a stalk and the design and placement of the buttons.{{Cite web |last=Ewing |first=Steven |date=June 27, 2024 |title=Our Tesla Model 3's Turn Signals Aren't Just Dumb, They're Borderline Unsafe |url=https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2024-tesla-model-3-turn-signals-long-term-update.html |access-date=January 28, 2025 |website=Edmunds}} The touchscreen for rear seat passengers and the steering wheel without stalks are changes that were previously implemented on the Model S and X during their "Palladium" refresh. Traditional turn signals returned in the 2025 Model Y refresh.{{cite news |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a63393923/new-tesla-model-y-turn-signal-stalk/ |title=2025 Tesla Model Y Is Redone, with a New Face and Traditional Turn Signals |first=Greg S. |last=Fink |work=Car and Driver |location=US |date=2025-01-10 |access-date=2025-02-03}}

The upgrade had shock-absorbing technology called Frequency Selective Damping, which uses a hydraulic amplifier to concentrate vibration in the 4–6 Hz range.{{Citation |title=FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) Technology by KONI |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqzgHLm6mSc |access-date=2024-02-17 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=2024-02-15 |title=Tesla Model 3 has a new tech that 'isolates shake frequencies in your belly' |url=https://electrek.co/2024/02/15/tesla-model-3-tech-isolates-shake-frequencies-in-your-belly/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=Electrek |language=en-US}}

The update came equipped with HW4 camera and processing technology, which permitted a wider field of view and improved Autopilot's cross-traffic emergency braking.

Gigafactory Shanghai was the first of Tesla's factories to begin making the refreshed Model 3, with the company offering the vehicle for sale in China and markets to which Tesla exports from China, including Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Japan. The refreshed Model 3 was made available for order in North America on January 10, 2024, with these models being produced at the Tesla Fremont Factory.{{Cite news |last1=Kalia |first1=Shubham |last2=Sriram |first2=Akash |date=January 10, 2024 |title=Tesla launches restyled Model 3 in North America |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-launches-updated-model-3-north-america-2024-01-10/ |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=Reuters}}

File:Tesla Model 3 (2023) IMG 9488 (cropped).jpg|2023 refresh, front

File:Tesla Model 3 (2023) Autofrühling Ulm IMG 9324.jpg|2023 refresh, rear

File:Tesla Model 3 Performance (Facelift) – f 01012025.jpg|2023 refresh, Performance trim, front

File:Tesla Model 3 Performance (Facelift) – h 01012025.jpg|2023 refresh, Performance trim, rear

File:Tesla Model 3 (2023) Auto Zuerich 2023 1X7A1315.jpg|2023 refresh, interior

File:The Model 3 Interior.jpg]]In 2013, design chief Franz von Holzhausen called the Model 3, "an Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class type of vehicle that will offer everything: range, affordability, and performance" that is targeted toward the mass market.{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2013 |title=Detroit 2013: Tesla's Family Will Grow |url=http://www.automobilemag.com/news/tesla-in-detroit-our-family-will-grow-197263/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413100509/http://www.automobilemag.com/news/tesla-in-detroit-our-family-will-grow-197263/ |archive-date=April 13, 2016 |access-date=April 12, 2015 |publisher=automobilemag.com}} While technology developed for Tesla's earlier Model S sedan was used in the Model 3,{{Cite web |last=LaMonica |first=Martin |date=September 24, 2008 |title=Tesla's 'Bluestar' to be all-electric family car |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10049993-54.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015184450/http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10049993-54.html |archive-date=October 15, 2011 |access-date=November 27, 2010 |publisher=CNET}} it is 20% smaller than the Model S{{Cite news |date=October 25, 2013 |title=12 interesting things we learned from Tesla's Elon Musk this week |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/oct/25/things-learned-tesla-elon-musk-electric-car |url-status=dead |access-date=October 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026181527/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/oct/25/things-learned-tesla-elon-musk-electric-car |archive-date=October 26, 2013}} and has its own unique design.{{Cite web |date=January 25, 2015 |title=Elon Musk: I Want The Model 3 To Be Different, Not Just A Smaller Model S |url=http://cleantechnica.com/2015/01/25/elon-musk-want-model-3-different-just-smaller-model-s/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404093425/http://cleantechnica.com/2015/01/25/elon-musk-want-model-3-different-just-smaller-model-s/ |archive-date=April 4, 2015 |access-date=April 12, 2015 |website=CleanTechnica}}

One of the most striking and noticeable design choices on the Model 3 was the lack of a front grille.{{Cite web |last=Gold |first=Aaron |date=April 7, 2016 |title=The Internet Fixes The Tesla Model 3's Controversial Styling |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/aarongold1/2016/04/07/the-internet-fixes-the-tesla-model-3s-controversial-styling/ |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=Forbes |language=en}} Since electric cars have lower cooling needs than combustion cars, they do not need a front grille, yet many, including the Model S, have one to fit in with the design of other vehicles.{{Cite news |date=November 17, 2015 |title=Tesla veteran on electric motors vs internal-combustion engines |publisher=ecomento.com |url=https://ecomento.com/2015/11/19/tesla-veteran-on-electric-motors-vs-internal-combustion-engines/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424071619/https://ecomento.com/2015/11/19/tesla-veteran-on-electric-motors-vs-internal-combustion-engines/ |archive-date=April 24, 2018}} All trim levels include an expansive glass roof developed by the Tesla Glass group, from the same glass used for the Tesla Solar Roof.{{Cite web |last=Muoio |first=Danielle |date=November 1, 2016 |title=Elon Musk: Tesla is developing a special kind of glass for its Model 3 |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-musk-teslas-model-3-220711131.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104015438/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-musk-teslas-model-3-220711131.html |archive-date=November 4, 2016 |access-date=November 2, 2016 |website=Business Insider}}File:Tesla Model 3 Screen Dec 2020.jpg,{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2017 |title=Tesla's Model 3 and Apple's iPhone have a few things in common |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/31/16067728/tesla-model-3-apple-iphone-comparison |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731170204/https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/31/16067728/tesla-model-3-apple-iphone-comparison |archive-date=July 31, 2017 |access-date=August 1, 2017}} showing the user interface from December 2020{{Cite web |last=Merano |first=Maria |date=December 25, 2020 |title=Tesla rolls out 2020 Holiday Update: New Driving Visualizations, Supercharger Display Improvements and more (Release Notes) |url=https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-holiday-update-2020-release-notes/ |access-date=April 30, 2021}}]]The interior of the Model 3 has been described as minimalist or stark, with few physical controls, instead housing most controls in a single {{Cvt|15.4|in}} center-mounted touchscreen.{{Cite web |date=2017-02-21 |title=2017 Tesla Model 3 Review, Pricing, and Specs |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/tesla/model-3-2017 |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=Car and Driver |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Hanley |first=Mike |date=October 1, 2018 |title=1 Screen to Rule Them All: Tesla Model 3 All-Purpose Touchscreen Tested |work=Cars.com |url=https://www.cars.com/articles/1-screen-to-rule-them-all-tesla-model-3-all-purpose-touchscreen-tested-1420703015885/ |access-date=September 6, 2023}} Critics praised the screen's interface, but pointed out that the decision requires drivers navigate menus to accomplish what could otherwise be controlled by a button or knob. Tesla is also notable for being one of the few automakers offering no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity.

Gigafactory Shanghai has been producing the Model 3 since December 2019 for both the local China market and for export to other areas except the United States.{{Cite web |date=July 19, 2023 |title=Q2 2023 Investor Update Presentation |url=https://digitalassets.tesla.com/tesla-contents/image/upload/IR/TSLA-Q2-2023-Update.pdf |access-date=August 12, 2023 |website=Tesla, Inc. |page=7}}

In a 2013 interview, Jerome Guillen discussed "BlueStar" (codename for the Model 3 project), stating that Tesla was expecting to eventually produce 400,000 cars per year.{{Cite news |last=Cypel |first=Sylvain |date=August 12, 2013 |title=Tesla, la dernière coqueluche de la Silicon Valley |language=fr |trans-title=Tesla, the latest darling of Scilicon Valley |work=Le Monde |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2013/08/12/tesla-la-derniere-coqueluche-de-la-silicon-valley_3460275_3234.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917183206/https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2013/08/12/tesla-la-derniere-coqueluche-de-la-silicon-valley_3460275_3234.html |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |quote=Le premier, Jérôme Guillen, 41 ans, est né à Avignon. Parti de France à 20 ans, après un doctorat d'ingénierie mécanique aux Etats-Unis, un passage chez McKinsey et DaimlerBenz … Nom de code : BlueStar. Ce sera, promet M. Guillen, "un véhicule encore plus technologique mais moins sophistiqué. Un jour, nous aussi, ici, nous fabriquerons 400 000 voitures".}}

In May 2016 Tesla told its suppliers that it intended to double earlier-announced{{clarify|date=May 2019}} Model 3 production targets to 100,000 in 2017 and 400,000 in 2018 due to demand, which suppliers{{Cite web |last1=Lienert |first1=Paul |last2=Sage |first2=Alexandria |date=May 20, 2016 |title=Exclusive: Suppliers question Tesla's goals for Model 3 output |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-suppliers-idUSKCN0YB0CA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523010434/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-suppliers-idUSKCN0YB0CA |archive-date=May 23, 2016 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |website=Reuters}}{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=May 4, 2016 |title=Tesla sets July 1st 2017 as deadline for Model 3 parts with suppliers and internally |url=https://electrek.co/2016/05/04/tesla-july-1st-2017-deadline-model-3-parts-suppliers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106063424/https://electrek.co/2016/05/04/tesla-july-1st-2017-deadline-model-3-parts-suppliers/ |archive-date=November 6, 2016 |access-date=November 5, 2016 |website=Electrek}} and many experts viewed as unattainable.{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=November 23, 2016 |title=Tesla Model 3 will not arrive until 'very end' of 2018, says once TSLA-cheerleader Morgan Stanley's Adam Jonas |url=https://electrek.co/2016/11/23/tesla-model-3-late-adam-jonas-morgan-stanley/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124095107/https://electrek.co/2016/11/23/tesla-model-3-late-adam-jonas-morgan-stanley/ |archive-date=November 24, 2016 |access-date=November 23, 2016 |website=Electrek |quote=We continue to forecast a Model 3 launch at the very end of 2018 (more than 1 year later than company target) with 60k units in 2019 and 130k units in 2020.}}{{Cite web |last=Bower |first=George |date=December 20, 2016 |title=GM versus Tesla: Pre-Production Comparison for Meeting Model 3 Deliveries At 2017's End |url=http://insideevs.com/gm-versus-tesla-pre-production-comparison-meeting-model-3-deliveries-2017s-end/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220163040/http://insideevs.com/gm-versus-tesla-pre-production-comparison-meeting-model-3-deliveries-2017s-end/ |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=January 4, 2017}} In the Tesla Factory, paint lines for 500,000 automobiles commenced in 2015, and some stamping equipment for the Model 3 was operational by August 2016.{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Angela |date=August 4, 2016 |title=Tesla Motors Model 3 Equipment 'Already Online' at Fremont Factory |url=http://www.thecountrycaller.com/38717-tesla-motors-inc-model-3-equipment-already-online-at-fremont-factory/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013221553/http://www.thecountrycaller.com/38717-tesla-motors-inc-model-3-equipment-already-online-at-fremont-factory/ |archive-date=October 13, 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2016 |website=The Country Caller}} Tesla bought Grohmann Engineering, experienced in automated manufacturing, in January 2017. This acquisition launched Tesla Advanced Automation Germany, which Tesla said would develop manufacturing processes to be used initially in Model 3 production. According to Tesla in late 2016, the company expected to invest between {{USD|2 billion}} and {{USD|2.5 billion}} in capital expenditures ahead of the start of Model 3 production.

After the two Alpha prototypes were shown (silver and black; red was a shell) in April 2016, Tesla finished the design in late July 2016. Tesla ordered parts equivalent to 300 Beta prototypes in August 2016, preparing for development of the assembly line. As of August 2016, the company intended to make release candidates for testing prior to actual production.{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=August 1, 2016 |title=Tesla Model 3: Tesla is ordering enough parts for a fleet of ~300 prototypes |url=https://electrek.co/2016/08/01/tesla-model-3-parts-fleet-300-prototypes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031155822/https://electrek.co/2016/08/01/tesla-model-3-parts-fleet-300-prototypes/ |archive-date=October 31, 2016 |access-date=November 5, 2016 |website=Electrek |quote=it doesn't mean that the number of parts divided by the number of parts per vehicle necessarily means Tesla will build a fleet of 300 since some of the parts will be used for process validation outside of prototypes and other processes}}{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Angela |date=August 2, 2016 |title=Ordering Enough Model 3 Parts For 300 Prototypes |url=http://www.thecountrycaller.com/49580-tesla-motors-inc-tsla-ordering-enough-model-3-parts-for-300-prototypes/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106061849/http://www.thecountrycaller.com/49580-tesla-motors-inc-tsla-ordering-enough-model-3-parts-for-300-prototypes/ |archive-date=November 6, 2016 |access-date=November 5, 2016 |website=The Country Caller |quote=Once the assembly line is installed following the beta prototype completion, the automaker produces several "release candidates."}} Tesla began building Model 3 prototypes in early February 2017 as part of the testing of the vehicle design and manufacturing processes. Tesla said in late 2016 that initial crash test results had been positive. Crash test results in mid-2019 were scored at 96% for protection of adults; 86% for protection of children and 74% for the way it handles "vulnerable road users" such as pedestrians. In addition, the Model 3's "safety assist" mode scored 94%.{{Cite magazine |last=Baker-Whitcomb |first=Alex |date=July 3, 2019 |title=Tesla Model 3 Crash Results, Europe's Record Heat, and More News From Today |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-model-3-crash-europe-heatwave-climate-change/ |url-status=live |magazine=Wired |issn=1059-1028 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703232814/https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-model-3-crash-europe-heatwave-climate-change/ |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |access-date=July 4, 2019}}

In October 2016 Tesla said its production timeline was on schedule.{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2016 |title=Edited Transcript of TSLA earnings conference call or presentation 26-Oct-16 9:30 pm GMT |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/edited-transcript-tsla-earnings-conference-070933016.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319223453/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/edited-transcript-tsla-earnings-conference-070933016.html |archive-date=March 19, 2017 |access-date=December 3, 2016 |publisher=Yahoo |quote=Musk [39]: we're not taking any action that would cause the Model 3 timeline to be extended in any way. [41]: We're still highly confident of reaching volume production in the second half of next year.}} Again in February 2017, Tesla said that vehicle development, supply chain and manufacturing are on track to support volume deliveries of the Model 3 in the second half of 2017. Limited vehicle production began in July 2017 and volume production was scheduled at that time to start by September 2017. As of February 2017, Tesla planned to ramp up production to exceed 5,000 vehicles per week in Q4 2017 and reach 10,000 vehicles per week in 2018.{{Cite web |date=February 22, 2017 |title=Tesla Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2016 Update |url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/3853068125x0x929284/22C29259-6C19-41AC-9CAB-899D148F323D/TSLA_Update_Letter_2016_4Q.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223212145/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/3853068125x0x929284/22C29259-6C19-41AC-9CAB-899D148F323D/TSLA_Update_Letter_2016_4Q.pdf |archive-date=February 23, 2017 |access-date=February 22, 2017 |publisher=Tesla Inc. |location=Palo Alto}} However, Tesla missed their Q4 production target by a wide amount, as only 2,425 vehicles were produced during the entire 3-month period.{{Cite news |last=Ciolli |first=Joe |date=January 3, 2018 |title=Tesla misses its Model 3 deliveries by a mile |work=Business Insider |url=http://www.businessinsider.de/tesla-model-3-delivery-report-misses-fourth-quarter-2018-1?r=US&IR=T |url-status=live |access-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104014612/http://www.businessinsider.de/tesla-model-3-delivery-report-misses-fourth-quarter-2018-1?r=US&IR=T |archive-date=January 4, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Coren |first=Michael J. |date=January 3, 2018 |title=Tesla's Model 3 misses production targets a second time |work=Quartz |url=https://qz.com/1170768/teslas-model-3-production-falls-short-as-chevy-bolt-sales-climb/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104013448/https://qz.com/1170768/teslas-model-3-production-falls-short-as-chevy-bolt-sales-climb/ |archive-date=January 4, 2018}}

Giga Nevada had been intended to produce battery packs for Model 3 and it was announced in January 2017 that Tesla would also manufacture drive units{{clarify|what does a "drive unit" consist of? motor? gearing? axle and wheel/brake hub?|date=October 2018}} at Giga Nevada.{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=October 15, 2016 |title=Tesla is building new 'drive unit production lines' at the Gigafactory, will not only manufacture battery packs |url=https://electrek.co/2016/10/15/tesla-drive-unit-production-lines-gigafactory-model-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911141931/http://www.thecountrycaller.com/51161-tesla-motors-inc-tsla-expects-to-spend-2-billion-on-gigafactory-construction/ |archive-date=September 11, 2016 |access-date=November 5, 2016 |website=Electrek}} In February 2017, Tesla said that installation of Model 3 manufacturing equipment was underway in the Fremont factory and at Giga Nevada, where in January, production of battery cells for energy-storage products began, which have the same form factor as the cells that will be used in Model 3.

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| label3 = 2022{{Cite press release |date=January 2, 2023 |title=Tesla Q4 2022 Vehicle Production & Deliveries |url=https://ir.tesla.com/press-release/tesla-vehicle-production-deliveries-and-date-financial-results-webcast-fourth-quarter |access-date=January 15, 2024 |publisher=Tesla, Inc.}}

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| data5 = 1,704,093

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In February 2016 Tesla expected the Model 3 to repeat the delivery schedule of the S and X models: selling at first the highest-optioned cars with higher margins, to help pay for production equipment.{{Cite web |last=Ziegler |first=Chris |date=February 10, 2016 |title=Don't expect the very first Tesla Model 3s to cost $35,000 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/10/10962758/tesla-model-3-base-price-options-elon-musk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801073617/https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/10/10962758/tesla-model-3-base-price-options-elon-musk |archive-date=August 1, 2017 |access-date=June 7, 2017 |website=The Verge |quote=Our default plan as we've done in the past is that the initial sales are relatively highly optioned versions of the car, because we've got to pay back the investment of the tooling and everything, so it makes sense to have the higher optioned versions first. That's what we did with the S and obviously again with the X.}} However, after the lessons learned from the complicated Model X production, Tesla changed its delivery schedule in early 2017 to produce relatively simpler cars initially, in order to reduce production risk. The first mass-produced Model 3 cars were rear-wheel drive with the long-range battery. Deliveries began in the second half of 2017 as predicted, but not in the numbers Tesla had hoped. As industry experts had predicted, Tesla did not meet the announced delivery targets.{{clarify|date=December 2019|insufficient conjecture}}{{Cite news |last=Golson |first=Jordan |date=March 24, 2017 |title=Elon Musk shares video of near-final Model 3, but says he won't drive one |work=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/24/15049656/elon-musk-tesla-model-3-tweets-video |url-status=live |access-date=March 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325024505/http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/24/15049656/elon-musk-tesla-model-3-tweets-video |archive-date=March 25, 2017}}

In early July 2017 Musk forecast at least six months of serious production difficulties.{{Cite magazine |title=Tesla Delays Its Model 3 Production Goals – Again |url=https://www.wired.com/story/musk-model-3-tesla-production-delays-january/ |url-status=live |magazine=Wired |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104005556/https://www.wired.com/story/musk-model-3-tesla-production-delays-january/ |archive-date=January 4, 2018 |access-date=January 5, 2018}} Tesla's announced goal at that time was to produce 1,500 units in the third quarter of 2017, increasing to 5,000 per week by end of December 2017,{{Cite news |date=October 2, 2017 |title=Tesla Falters With Model 3 as Initial Output Trails Forecast |work=Bloomberg.com |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-02/tesla-sales-climb-as-model-3-stokes-demand-in-pricier-offerings |url-status=live |access-date=October 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005033035/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-02/tesla-sales-climb-as-model-3-stokes-demand-in-pricier-offerings |archive-date=October 5, 2017}} but only 260 vehicles were manufactured during the third quarter. The company blamed production bottlenecks, but said there were "no fundamental issues with the Model 3 production or supply chain" and expressed confidence about its ability to resolve the bottlenecks in the near future.{{Cite news |last=Holley |first=Peter |date=October 2, 2017 |title='We understand what needs to be fixed,' Tesla says after missing Model 3 production goals |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2017/10/02/we-understand-what-needs-to-be-fixed-tesla-says-after-bungling-model-3-production-goals/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005002440/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2017/10/02/we-understand-what-needs-to-be-fixed-tesla-says-after-bungling-model-3-production-goals/ |archive-date=October 5, 2017}}{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tim |date=October 6, 2017 |title=Behind Tesla's Production Delays: Parts of Model 3 Were Being Made by Hand |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/behind-teslas-production-delays-parts-of-model-3-were-being-made-by-hand-1507321057 |url-status=live |access-date=October 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008002200/https://www.wsj.com/articles/behind-teslas-production-delays-parts-of-model-3-were-being-made-by-hand-1507321057 |archive-date=October 8, 2017}}

Tesla delivered just 1,542 Model 3 cars in the fourth quarter of 2017,{{Cite press release |title=Tesla Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2017 Update |date=February 7, 2017 |publisher=Tesla |location=Palo Alto |url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/4934165653x0x970775/34923C55-6853-4223-ADDA-CB3CDC1B919F/TSLA_Update_Letter_2017-4Q.pdf |quote=In Q4, we delivered 28,425 Model S and Model X vehicles and 1,542 Model 3 vehicles, totaling 29,967 deliveries. |access-date=February 7, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208182745/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/4934165653x0x970775/34923C55-6853-4223-ADDA-CB3CDC1B919F/TSLA_Update_Letter_2017-4Q.pdf |archive-date=February 8, 2018}} about 2,900 fewer than Wall Street estimations, which were already halved previously after Tesla published the company's third quarter report.{{Cite news |date=January 4, 2018 |title='Another missed promise': Tesla's latest Model 3 production setback could mean company needs more cash |work=Financial Post |publisher=Bloomberg |url=http://business.financialpost.com/transportation/autos/another-missed-promise-teslas-latest-model-3-production-setback-could-mean-company-needs-more-cash |url-status=live |access-date=January 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106002158/http://business.financialpost.com/transportation/autos/another-missed-promise-teslas-latest-model-3-production-setback-could-mean-company-needs-more-cash |archive-date=January 6, 2018}} By early November 2017, Musk had postponed the target date for manufacturing 5,000 of the vehicles per week from December 2017 to March 2018.{{Cite news |last=Holley |first=Peter |date=November 3, 2017 |title=Analysis – Sleepless nights, broken robots and mounting pressure: Musk offers rare glimpse inside Tesla's 'production hell' |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2017/11/03/sleepless-nights-broken-robots-and-mounting-pressure-musk-offers-rare-glimpse-inside-teslas-production-hell/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105050608/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2017/11/03/sleepless-nights-broken-robots-and-mounting-pressure-musk-offers-rare-glimpse-inside-teslas-production-hell/ |archive-date=November 5, 2017}} An analyst with Cowan and Company, an investment banking firm, said in November 2017 that "Elon Musk needs to stop over-promising and under-delivering".{{Cite news |date=November 2, 2017 |title=Tesla must stop overpromising, could need more finance: analysts |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-results-reaction/tesla-must-stop-overpromising-could-need-more-finance-analysts-idUSKBN1D21A3 |url-status=live |access-date=November 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171104234749/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-results-reaction/tesla-must-stop-overpromising-could-need-more-finance-analysts-idUSKBN1D21A3 |archive-date=November 4, 2017}} Customer deliveries totaled 1,764 units in 2017.{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2017 |title=_Update_Letter_2017-3Q.pdf Tesla Third Quarter 2017 Update |url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/5846881552x0x962149/00F6EB90-2695-44E6-8C03-7EC4E06DF840/TSLA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165022/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/5846881552x0x962149/00F6EB90-2695-44E6-8C03-7EC4E06DF840/TSLA |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |access-date=May 27, 2018 |publisher=Tesla}}

Prior to a planned shutdown in mid-April 2018 to further increase production, Tesla produced more than 2,000 Model 3 vehicles for three straight weeks.{{Cite web |title=Tesla First Quarter 2018 Update |url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/3853068125x0x979026/44C49236-1FC2-4FD9-80B1-495ED74E4194/TSLA_Update_Letter_2018-1Q.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527202413/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/3853068125x0x979026/44C49236-1FC2-4FD9-80B1-495ED74E4194/TSLA_Update_Letter_2018-1Q.pdf |archive-date=May 27, 2018 |access-date=May 27, 2018 |publisher=Tesla}} Global deliveries passed 100,000 units as of October 2018.{{Cite web |last=Halvorson |first=Bengt |date=November 8, 2018 |title=Finalist for Green Car Reports Best Car To Buy 2019: Tesla Model 3 |url=https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1119793_finalist-for-green-car-reports-best-car-to-buy-2019-tesla-model-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110040640/https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1119793_finalist-for-green-car-reports-best-car-to-buy-2019-tesla-model-3 |archive-date=November 10, 2018 |access-date=November 9, 2018 |website=Green Car Reports}} U.S. Model 3 sales hit 100,000 units in November 2018, reaching this milestone quicker than any previous plug-in electric model.{{Cite web |last=Loveday |first=Eric |date=December 4, 2018 |title=Tesla Model 3 Sales Charge Way Past Milestone Of 100,000 In U.S. |url=https://insideevs.com/tesla-model-3-sales-november-u-s-2018/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205023220/https://insideevs.com/tesla-model-3-sales-november-u-s-2018/ |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |access-date=December 4, 2018 |publisher=InsideEVs}}

During the first half of 2018, the Model 3 was the top-selling alternative fuel vehicle in California with 12,674 units, followed by the Toyota Prius conventional hybrid (10,043).{{Cite web |last=California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) |date=August 2018 |title=California Green Vehicle Report (YTD June 2018) |url=https://www.cncda.org/wp-content/uploads/Cal-Alt-Powertrain-Report-3Q-18-Release.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025071221/https://www.cncda.org/wp-content/uploads/Cal-Alt-Powertrain-Report-3Q-18-Release.pdf |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |access-date=October 24, 2018 |publisher=CNCDA}} See section: "Electric and Plug In Vehicle Segments Move Higher in 2018" – registrations through December March 2018 since 2014. The Model 3 was the top-selling plug-in electric car in the U.S. for 12 months in a row through December 2018, ending 2018 as the bestselling plug-in with an estimated 139,782 units delivered, the first time a plug-in car sold more than 100,000 units in one year.{{Cite web |last=Kane |first=Mark |date=January 3, 2019 |title=U.S. Tesla Sales in December 2018 Up By 249% |url=https://insideevs.com/u-s-tesla-sales-december-2018-up/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109111016/https://insideevs.com/u-s-tesla-sales-december-2018-up/ |archive-date=January 9, 2019 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |website=InsideEVs}}{{Cite web |last=Loveday |first=Steven |date=January 7, 2019 |title=December 2018 U.S. EV Sales Recap: Over 360K Secured! |url=https://insideevs.com/december-2018-u-s-ev-sales-recap/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109155412/https://insideevs.com/december-2018-u-s-ev-sales-recap/ |archive-date=January 9, 2019 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |website=Inside EVs}}{{Cite web |last=Kane |first=Mark |date=January 24, 2019 |title=US Plug-In Electric Car Sales Charted: December 2018 |url=https://insideevs.com/us-plug-in-electric-car-sales-charted-december-2018/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125020449/https://insideevs.com/us-plug-in-electric-car-sales-charted-december-2018/ |archive-date=January 25, 2019 |access-date=January 24, 2019 |publisher=InsideEVs}} See Graph: "Top 10 U.S. Plug-in cars (cumulative sales)" and "U.S. Plug-in Car Sales (cumulative)" Additionally, the Model 3 ranked as the bestselling luxury vehicle in the American market in 2018.{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Niall |date=February 8, 2019 |title=The Tesla Model 3 Was The Best-Selling Luxury Car in America Last Year [Infographic] |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2019/02/08/the-tesla-model-3-was-the-best-selling-luxury-car-in-america-last-year-infographic/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223184549/https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2019/02/08/the-tesla-model-3-was-the-best-selling-luxury-car-in-america-last-year-infographic/#4589e2407b07 |archive-date=February 23, 2019}} See infographic. The Model 3 topped plug-in electric car sales in California in 2018, with 51,293 units registered, and was the state's best-selling car in the near luxury category.{{Cite web |last=Kane |first=Mark |date=February 21, 2019 |title=Electric Cars Outsell Hybrids in California: Tesla Model 3 Tops In Class |url=https://insideevs.com/california-electric-car-sales-2018/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222225542/https://insideevs.com/california-electric-car-sales-2018/ |archive-date=February 22, 2019 |access-date=February 22, 2019 |website=Inside EVs}}{{Cite web |last=California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) |date=February 2019 |title=New Vehicle Registrations Remained Above 2 million Units in 2018 |url=https://www.cncda.org/wp-content/uploads/Cal-Covering-4Q-18.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222152029/https://www.cncda.org/wp-content/uploads/Cal-Covering-4Q-18.pdf |archive-date=February 22, 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |publisher=CNCDA |volume=15 |number=1}} See section: "Electric Vehicle Registrations Increased Sharply in 2018" – Figures for 2017 were revised.

The Model 3 was the world's best-selling plug-in electric car in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Jose |first=Pontes |date=January 31, 2019 |title=Global Top 20 – December 2018 |url=http://ev-sales.blogspot.com/2019/01/global-top-20-december-2018.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201013624/http://ev-sales.blogspot.com/2019/01/global-top-20-december-2018.html |archive-date=February 1, 2019 |access-date=February 2, 2019 |publisher=EVSales.com}} "Global sales totaled 2,018,247 plug-in passenger cars in 2018, with a BEV:PHEV ratio of 69:31, and a market share of 2.1%. The world's top selling plug-in car was the Tesla Model 3, and Tesla was the top selling manufacturer of plug-in passenger cars in 2018, followed by BYD." In 2018, Elon Musk predicted that eventual global demand would likely be between 500,000 and {{nowrap|1 million}} Model 3 cars per year— ranking in between the BMW 3 Series and the Volkswagen Golf.{{Cite web |last=Musk |first=Elon |author-link=Elon Musk |date=October 25, 2018 |title=Tesla 2018 Q3 Earnings Call |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTjggW0uXBw&t=33m |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074816/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTjggW0uXBw&t=33m |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=October 16, 2019 |format=offset 33:00 |via=YouTube |quote=likely global demand for Model 3... it's probably on the order of anyway from 500,000 to a million cars a year, let's say, … as quick global demand for Model 3. If you look at something like BWM 3 Series … BMW 3 Series is about half-a-million a year, globally. And generally we find that we outcompete the BMW 3 Series quite well, so it seems logical therefore that we would have higher production …higher demand, you know; maybe somewhere between the BMW 3 Series and the Volkswagen Golf which is about a million units a year.}}

File:Tesla Model 3 DCA 08 2018 0159.jpg for three years in a row (2018 to 2020).{{Cite web |last=Jose |first=Pontes |date=February 2, 2021 |title=Global Top 20 – December 2020 |url=http://ev-sales.blogspot.com/2021/02/global-top-20-december-2020.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202225647/http://ev-sales.blogspot.com/2021/02/global-top-20-december-2020.html |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |access-date=February 3, 2021 |publisher=EVSales.com}} "Global sales totaled 3,124,793 plug-in passenger cars in 2020, with a BEV to PHEV ratio of 69:31, and a global market share of 4%. The world's top selling plug-in car was the Tesla Model 3 with 365,240 units delivered, and Tesla was the top selling manufacturer of plug-in passenger cars in 2019 with 499,535 units, followed by VW with 220,220."]]

File:Tesla Model 3 - European socket.jpg on a Model 3]]

Retail deliveries in Europe and China began in February 2019.{{Cite news |last=Kane |first=Mark |date=February 16, 2019 |title=More And More Tesla Model 3 Reach Norway: Sales Imminent |work=InsideEVs |url=https://insideevs.com/more-tesla-model-3-norway/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216212131/https://insideevs.com/more-tesla-model-3-norway/ |archive-date=February 16, 2019}}{{Cite news |date=February 13, 2019 |title=Tesla Model 3s Arrive in Chinese Port Ready For Deliveries |work=Gasgoo News |publisher=InsideEVs |url=https://insideevs.com/tesla-model-3-arrive-china-port-deliveries/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142219/https://insideevs.com/tesla-model-3-arrive-china-port-deliveries/ |archive-date=February 17, 2019}} Delivery of the first right-hand drive vehicles began in June 2019, starting with the UK{{Cite news |title=Tesla Model 3: first UK buyers take delivery of cars |work=Autocar |url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/tesla-model-3-first-uk-buyers-take-delivery-cars |url-status=live |access-date=July 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705142213/https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/tesla-model-3-first-uk-buyers-take-delivery-cars |archive-date=July 5, 2019}} and later in Australia and New Zealand.{{Cite web |last=Parkinson |first=Giles |date=October 2, 2019 |title=Tesla Model 3 electric vehicle smashes sales records, recasts Australia car market |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/tesla-model-3-electric-vehicle-smashes-sales-records-recasts-australia-car-market-14414/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074828/https://reneweconomy.com.au/tesla-model-3-electric-vehicle-smashes-sales-records-recasts-australia-car-market-14414/ |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=January 19, 2020 |website=RenewEconomy |language=en-AU}} Similarly to how the first US-made Model 3s were delivered in July 2017, the first Chinese-made Model 3 cars were delivered to employees at the end of 2019.{{Cite web |date=December 30, 2019 |title=Tesla delivers first China-made Model 3s to its own workers |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/30/tech/tesla-china-model-3/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230144848/https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/30/tech/tesla-china-model-3/index.html |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |access-date=December 30, 2019 |publisher=CNN}}

In January 2019 the Model 3 overtook the Model S as the U.S. all-time best selling all-electric car,{{Cite web |last=Kane |first=Mark |date=February 4, 2019 |title=US Plug-In Electric Car Sales Charted: January 2019 |url=https://insideevs.com/us-plug-in-electric-car-sales-charted-january-2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020207/https://insideevs.com/us-plug-in-electric-car-sales-charted-january-2019/ |archive-date=February 7, 2019 |access-date=February 6, 2019 |publisher=InsideEVs}} See Graph: "Top 10 U.S. Plug-in cars (cumulative sales)" In January 209 the Tesla Model 3 (148,046) overtook the Model S (144,767). The Chevrolet Volt (152,819) continues as the all-time best selling plug-in car in the U.S. and, the next month, also passed the Chevrolet Volt to become the all-time top selling plug-in electric car in the U.S.

The Tesla Model 3 ended 2019 as the world's best-selling plug-in electric car for the second consecutive year, with just over 300,000 units delivered.{{Cite web |last=Jose |first=Pontes |date=January 31, 2020 |title=Global Top 20 – December 2019 |url=http://ev-sales.blogspot.com/2020/01/global-top-20-december-2019.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074824/http://ev-sales.blogspot.com/2020/01/global-top-20-december-2019.html |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2020 |publisher=EVSales.com}} "Global sales totaled 2,209,831 plug-in passenger cars in 2019. The world's top selling plug-in car was the Tesla Model 3 with 300,075 units delivered, and Tesla was the top selling manufacturer of plug-in passenger cars in 2019 with 367,820 units, followed by BYD with 229,506." The electric car also topped annual plug-in car sales in the U.S. (158,925) and California (59,514) markets for the second time in a row.{{Cite web |last=Loveday |first=Steven |date=January 17, 2020 |title=Final Update: Quarterly Plug-In EV Sales Scorecard |url=https://insideevs.com/news/343998/monthly-plug-in-ev-sales-scorecard/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419234131/https://insideevs.com/monthly-plug-in-sales-scorecard/ |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |access-date=May 16, 2020 |publisher=InsideEVs}} See Chart: "2019 Monthly/Q4 Sales Chart : Annual" – The top selling models were the Tesla Model 3 with 158,925 units, the Toyota Prius Prime with 23,630, the Tesla Model X with 19,225, the Chevrolet Bolt EV with 16,418 and the Tesla Model S with 14,100 units.{{Cite web |last=California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) |date=February 2020 |title=California Auto Outlook Covering Fourth Quarter 2019: State New Vehicle Market Predicted to Remain Strong in 2020 |url=https://www.cncda.org/wp-content/uploads/Cal-Covering-4Q-19.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074843/https://www.cncda.org/wp-content/uploads/Cal-Covering-4Q-19.pdf |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2020 |publisher=CNCDA |volume=16 |number=1}} And again listed as the California's best-selling car in the near luxury category in 2019.

The Model 3 also ranked as the best-selling plug-in car in Europe in 2019, with over 95,000 units delivered in its first year in that market, and outselling other key premium models.{{Cite web |last=Gauthier |first=Michael |date=February 19, 2020 |title=European Car Sales Climbed To 15.7 Million Units Last Year, Tesla Model 3 Is The EV Champion |url=https://www.carscoops.com/2020/02/european-car-sales-climbed-to-15-7-million-units-last-year-tesla-model-3-is-the-ev-champion/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074845/https://www.carscoops.com/2020/02/european-car-sales-climbed-to-15-7-million-units-last-year-tesla-model-3-is-the-ev-champion/ |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2020 |publisher=Carscoops}} Sales of the Tesla Model 3 in Europe totaled 94,495 units in 2019 (Europe 23) and topped sales in the region in the EV segment. It also set records in Norway and the Netherlands, not only as the top selling plug-in car but also as the best-selling passenger car model overall.{{Cite web |last=Shahan |first=Zachary |date=January 19, 2020 |title=Tesla Model 3 = #1 Best Selling Auto in Netherlands & Norway in 2019 |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2020/01/19/tesla-model-3-1-best-selling-automobile-in-netherlands-norway-in-2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074848/https://cleantechnica.com/2020/01/19/tesla-model-3-1-best-selling-automobile-in-netherlands-norway-in-2019/ |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2020 |website=Clean Technica |quote=In Norway and the Netherlands, the Model 3 was the No. 1 best selling automobile of any kind in any class in 2019.}}{{Cite web |last=Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) |date=January 2020 |title=OFV Registreringsstatistikk |trans-title=OFV Registration Statistics |url=https://ofv.no/registreringsstatistikk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074850/https://ofv.no/registreringsstatistikk |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=May 10, 2020 |publisher=OFV |language=no}} To access the sales ranking by model choose "Modell" and the tabs for "2019" and "Desember" – The Tesla Model 3 was the best selling passenger car in Norway in 2019 with 15,683 units registered. The sales volume achieved by the Model 3 in 2019 (15,683) is the third largest in Norwegian history, exceeded only by the Volkswagen Bobla (Beetle) in 1969 (16,706), and Volkswagen Golf in 2015 (16,388).{{Cite web |last=Moberg |first=Knut |date=December 31, 2019 |title=Bil-året 2019: Derfor var 2019 så spesielt |trans-title=The car of the year 2019: That's why 2019 was so special |url=https://www.dinside.no/motor/derfor-var-2019-sa-spesielt/71970723 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074929/https://dinside.dagbladet.no/motor/derfor-var-2019-sa-spesielt/71970723 |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=May 10, 2020 |publisher=Dinside.no |language=no}} With a total of 15,473 new registered Tesla Model 3 (as of December 27, 2019), only Volkswagen has managed a higher number previously, with Bobla in 1969 (16,706 cars), and Golf in 2015 (16,388). The Model 3 set a new record in the Netherlands for the highest registrations in one month (22,137) for any single plug-in vehicle in Europe.{{Cite web |last=Pontes |first=Jose |date=January 27, 2020 |title=Tesla Model 3 Shatters Records in Hot European Market – EV Sales Report |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2020/01/27/tesla-model-3-shatters-records-in-hot-european-market-ev-sales-report/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074852/https://cleantechnica.com/2020/01/27/tesla-model-3-shatters-records-in-hot-european-market-ev-sales-report/ |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2020 |website=Clean Technica}}

The Model 3 also was the top selling plug-in car in Canada, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Mexico.{{Cite web |last=Jose |first=Pontes |date=January 27, 2020 |title=Markets Roundup – December 2019 |url=http://ev-sales.blogspot.com/2020/01/markets-roundup-december-2019.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074852/http://ev-sales.blogspot.com/2020/01/markets-roundup-december-2019.html |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2020 |publisher=EVSales}} Check for top selling plug-in car in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Mexico.{{Cite web |last=Jose |first=Pontes |date=January 31, 2020 |title=EV Sales 2019 |url=http://ev-sales.blogspot.com/2020/01/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074852/http://ev-sales.blogspot.com/2020/01/ |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2020 |publisher=EVSales.com}} Click on December sales for Spain, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland.

Until 2019, the Nissan Leaf was the world's best-selling plug-in electric car, with global sales of 450,000 units by December 2019.{{Cite press release |title=The "E" side of EV: Nissan brings excitement from the road to the track with LEAF Nismo RC unleashed for the first time in Europe |date=January 20, 2020 |publisher=Nissan Europe |location=Valencia, Spain |url=https://europe.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-a9f393adfcdb4c875b17ca02b001a9dc-nissan-brings-excitement-from-the-road-to-the-track-with-leaf-nismo-rc-unleashed-for-the-first-time-in-europe |access-date=May 3, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505080000/https://europe.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-a9f393adfcdb4c875b17ca02b001a9dc-nissan-brings-excitement-from-the-road-to-the-track-with-leaf-nismo-rc-unleashed-for-the-first-time-in-europe |archive-date=May 5, 2020}} The Tesla Model 3 surpassed Leaf sales in early 2020 to become the world's best-selling plug-in electric car ever. Global sales totaled about 814,000 units overall up to December 2020.{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2019 |title=Tesla Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2018 Update |url=http://ir.tesla.com/static-files/0b913415-467d-4c0d-be4c-9225c2cb0ae0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130213107/http://ir.tesla.com/static-files/0b913415-467d-4c0d-be4c-9225c2cb0ae0 |archive-date=January 30, 2019 |access-date=January 30, 2019 |publisher=Tesla |quote=In Q4, we delivered 63,359 Model 3 vehicles to customers in North America. |location=Palo Alto}}{{Cite press release |title=Investor Communication: Tesla Q1 2020 Update |date=April 29, 2020 |publisher=Tesla, Inc. |url=https://ir.tesla.com/static-files/c1723af4-ffda-4881-ae12-b6f3c972b795 |access-date=May 16, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518184907/https://ir.tesla.com/static-files/c1723af4-ffda-4881-ae12-b6f3c972b795 |archive-date=May 18, 2020 |work=Investor relations}} Includes updated production and sales figures from 1Q 2019 through 1Q 2020. The Model 3, with 365,240 global deliveries, was the world's best-selling plug-in passenger car in 2020 for the third consecutive year.

Gigafactory Shanghai began to ramp up production in 2020, producing vehicles for sale in China and for export.{{Cite web |date=3 January 2020 |title=Tesla lowers price of China Model 3 to undercut BMW and Mercedes in strategic play |url=https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-mic-model-3-price-bmw-mercedes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103104620/https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-mic-model-3-price-bmw-mercedes/ |archive-date=3 January 2020 |access-date=3 January 2020 |website=TESLARATI}}

In 2020, the Model 3 was the bestselling plug-in car in China (137,459) and the U.S. (95,135).{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=C.J. |date=February 14, 2021 |title=Tesla's commanding lead in U.S. EVs illustrated by registration report |work=Automotive News |url=https://www.autonews.com/mobility-report/teslas-commanding-lead-us-evs-illustrated-registration-report |access-date=February 14, 2021}} According to Experian, in 2020 the top U.S. EVs by registrations were the Tesla Model 3 (95,135), Tesla Model Y (71,344), Chevrolet Bolt EV (19,664), the Tesla Model X (19,652), Tesla Model S (14,430) and the Nissan Leaf (8,972). All four Tesla models accounted for 200,561 registrations, up 16% from 2019.{{Cite news |date=February 5, 2021 |title=Domestic EV makers rival Tesla in China, can they win? |work=SDchina.com |url=http://english.sdchina.com/show/4593846.html |access-date=February 19, 2021}} See table: Top 10 NEV sold in China in 2020. The Model 3 also was the most popular plug-in electric car in California in 2020 (38,580), as well as the state's best-selling car in the near luxury category.{{Cite web |last=California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) |date=February 2021 |title=California Auto Outlook Covering Fourth Quarter 2020: State New Light Vehicle Registrations Predicted to Approach 1.8 Million Units in 2021 |url=https://www.cncda.org/wp-content/uploads/Cal-Covering-4Q-20.pdf |access-date=February 8, 2021 |publisher=CNCDA |volume=17 |number=1}} A total of 132,742 plug-in electric passenger cars (101,628 BEVs and 31,114 PHEVs) and were registered in 2020. Registration figures between 2016 and 2019 were revised, resulting in significantly higher estimates than previously reported through 2019. The Model 3 has topped both California's and the U.S. national plug-in car sales for three years in-a-row, from 2018 to 2020.

In 2021, the Model 3 became the all-time bestselling electric vehicle in the Netherlands with over 78,996 cars registered at the end of June 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://nederlandelektrisch.nl/actueel/verkoopcijfers|title=Nederland Elektrisch - Cijfers en statistieken EV's in Nederland|website=nederlandelektrisch.nl}} The Model 3 became the first electric car to sell over 1 million units globally in June 2021.{{Cite web |last=Shahan |first=Zachary |date=August 26, 2021 |title=Tesla Model 3 Has Passed 1 Million Sales |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2021/08/26/tesla-model-3-has-passed-1-million-sales/ |access-date=August 26, 2021 |publisher=CleanTechnica}}

It was also the bestselling electric vehicle of 2021 in the UK, with 34,783 registered, beating the second most popular electric car, the Kia e-Niro, by over 22,500 registrations. These figures also made the Model 3 the second bestseller in the UK new car market in 2021, only beaten by the Vauxhall Corsa, a cheaper B-segment vehicle. The 9,612 Model 3s sold in December were more than double the sales of any other car in that month.{{Cite web |title=Car Registrations: December 2021 and Year-To-Date |url=https://www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data/car-registrations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119033830/https://www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data/car-registrations/ |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |website=SMMT |via=Internet Archive}}

In October 2021, Hertz car rental ordered 100,000 full-price {{nowrap|Model 3}} cars for its rental fleet.{{Cite news |last=Jolly |first=Jasper |date=October 25, 2021 |title=Tesla breaks $1tn valuation barrier after Hertz orders 100,000 vehicles |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/oct/25/tesla-model-3-is-first-battery-electric-car-to-top-europe-monthly-sales-chart |access-date=October 26, 2021 |quote=the US electric car pioneer received an order for 100,000 of its vehicles from the rental company Hertz.}}{{Cite tweet |number=1452794619410927625 |user=elonmusk |title=To be clear, cars sold to Hertz have no discount. Same price as to consumers. |first=Elon |last=Musk |date=October 26, 2021 |access-date=October 26, 2021}} Hertz had to resell most of the cars as demand was lower than expected and depreciation costs had mounted.{{cite news |url=https://insideevs.com/news/740867/tesla-hertz-under-20k-sale/ |title=Hertz's Tesla Fire Sale Continues As Depreciation Costs Mount |first=Rob |last=Stumpf |work=Inside EVs |location=US |date=2024-11-13 |access-date=2024-12-31}}

In May 2018 Consumer Reports found "big flaws, such as long stopping distances in our emergency braking test and difficult-to-use controls", finding the braking distance was worse than a Ford F-150 full-size truck, and branding the Model 3 "not recommended". Tesla responded to the claims with concern and, over the next weekend, released an OTA update for the anti-lock braking algorithm. Consumer Reports, impressed with the prompt OTA update, verified the improved braking performance and changed their rating to a recommended model.{{Cite web |last=Olsen |first=Patrick |date=May 30, 2018 |title=Tesla Model 3 Gets CR Recommendation After Braking Update |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/tesla-model-3-gets-cr-recommendation-after-braking-update/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531211817/https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/tesla-model-3-gets-cr-recommendation-after-braking-update/ |archive-date=May 31, 2018 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=Consumer Reports |location=US}}{{Cite magazine |last=Marshall |first=Aarian |date=May 30, 2018 |title=Tesla's Quick Fix for Its Braking System Came From the Ether |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-model3-braking-software-update-consumer-reports/ |url-status=live |magazine=Wired |location=US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019115808/https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-model3-braking-software-update-consumer-reports/ |archive-date=October 19, 2018 |access-date=June 5, 2018}}

In February 2019 Consumer Reports revoked the Model 3 recommendation because "many customers have reported problems with the [car], including loose body trim and glass defects."{{Cite web |last=Isidore |first=Chris |date=February 21, 2019 |title=Consumer Reports no longer recommends the Tesla Model 3 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/21/tech/consumer-reports-tesla-model-3/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221194657/https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/21/tech/consumer-reports-tesla-model-3/index.html |archive-date=February 21, 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |website=CNN Business}} As with Model S and Model X, Model 3 production flaws were reduced over time.{{Cite web |last1=Randall |first1=Tom |last2=Halford |first2=Dean |last3=Sam |first3=Cedric |date=October 29, 2019 |title=The Tesla Model 3 Survey 5,000 Tesla Owners Told Us What Elon Musk Got Right and Wrong |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2019-tesla-model-3-survey/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029164702/https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2019-tesla-model-3-survey/ |archive-date=October 29, 2019 |access-date=October 29, 2019 |website=bloomberg.com |publisher=Bloomberg L.P.}} In November 2019 Consumer Reports reinstated the Model 3 recommendation, claiming it was the fifth-most reliable of twelve compact luxury cars.{{Cite web |last=Moon |first=Mariella |date=November 15, 2019 |title=Tesla's Model 3 and S are (once again) recommended by 'Consumer Reports' |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/11/15/tesla-model-3-s-consumer-reports-recommended-list/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117060147/https://www.engadget.com/2019/11/15/tesla-model-3-s-consumer-reports-recommended-list/ |archive-date=November 17, 2019 |access-date=November 17, 2019 |website=Engadget}}

During long-term testing of a Model 3 in December 2019, Car and Driver experienced a rear inverter short after {{convert|5286|mi}} and 3 months of ownership.{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2020 |title=Our Tesla Model 3 Is Up and Running Again after Getting a New Rear-Motor Assembly |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a30383959/tesla-model-3-repaired-after-breakdown/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074859/https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a30383959/tesla-model-3-repaired-after-breakdown/ |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2020 |website=Car and Driver}} It was their first long-term vehicle to suffer such a major failure while parked.{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2019 |title=Our Tesla Model 3 Suffered a Catastrophic Failure While Parked |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a30361800/tesla-model-3-long-term-failure-stranded-while-parked/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074859/https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a30361800/tesla-model-3-long-term-failure-stranded-while-parked/ |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2020 |website=Car and Driver}}

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, closure of the Shanghai factory at the end of January, and supply chain issues, Tesla used the 2.5 version processor instead of the 3.0 processor that Chinese users expected to find in their vehicles. This led to mass complaints. Tesla promised to upgrade the hardware free of charge once the supply chain is restored.{{Cite news |date=March 4, 2020 |title=Tesla downgraded Chinese car tech because of virus |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51736405 |url-status=live |access-date=March 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074859/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51736405 |archive-date=December 27, 2020}}

The 2021 Tesla Model 3 vehicles built on or after April 27, 2021, had modified Forward Collison Warning (FCW) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) safety features, resulting in lower Consumer Reports and Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) scores. The change was from using Radar to Camera technology called Tesla Vision.{{Cite news |date=May 28, 2021 |title=Recommended Safety Technologies |language=en-GB |work=NHTSA |url=https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/TESLA/MODEL%2525203/4%252520DR/AWD |url-status=live |access-date=May 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531154920/https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/TESLA/MODEL%25203/4%2520DR/AWD |archive-date=May 31, 2021}} The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation over phantom braking in these new vehicles.{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2022 |title=Tesla Stops Putting Radar Sensors in New Model S and Model X EVs |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a39250157/tesla-no-radar-sensor-model-s-model-x/ |website=Car and Driver}}{{Cite news |date=February 18, 2022 |title=Tesla investigated over 'phantom braking' problem |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60432351}}

In May 2022, a relay attack was discovered where an attacker could gain remote control of a Model 3 (or a Model Y) if they could get within range of a Bluetooth key of the owner.{{Cite web |last=Page |first=Carly |date=May 18, 2022 |title=New Bluetooth attack can remotely unlock Tesla vehicles and smart locks |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/05/18/bluetooth-attack-unlock-tesla/ |access-date=May 18, 2022 |website=TechCrunch}}{{Cite news |last=Goodin |first=Dan |date=May 18, 2022 |title=New Bluetooth hack can unlock your Tesla—and all kinds of other devices |work=arstechnica.com |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/05/new-bluetooth-hack-can-unlock-your-tesla-and-all-kinds-of-other-devices/2/ |access-date=May 18, 2022}}

File:First Model 3 production cars ready for delivery.jpg

Instead of a traditional induction motor, the Model 3's primary (rear) motor uses internal permanent magnets (IPM) with synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) characteristics. Compared to an induction motor, the aluminum squirrel-cage rotor is replaced by an iron rotor, with slots cut into the metal where magnets are inserted in the internal core. As an IPM motor, it produces excellent starting torque; however, performance declines at high speeds due to counter-electromotive forces. For high-speed operation, Tesla engineers used iron's reluctance property, which allows it to spin in synchronization with the magnetic field of the stator if channels are cut into the core. These channels were also an ideal internal location for the permanent magnets to be mounted.{{Cite news |title=Tesla Model 3's IPM-SynRM electric motor explained |url=https://uk.motor1.com/news/462107/video-tesla-model-3-electric-motor-explained/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |work=Motor1 |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |last=Gaddam |first=Yogeshwari S. |date=January 8, 2021 |title=Tesla Model 3's IPM-SynRM electric motor |url=https://www.lesics.com/tesla-model-3_s-ipm-synrm-electric-motor.html |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Lesics}}

The IPM-SynRM motor is responsible for most of the propulsion in both the RWD and AWD Model 3s. The induction motor on the front axle of the AWD models provides additional power and helps to improve handling.{{Cite report |url=https://iaspub.epa.gov/otaqpub/display_file.jsp?docid=40001&flag=1 |title=Request for issuance of a new certificate of Conformity – Initial application for MY2017 Model 3 - Touring |last1=Govindasamy |first1=Kannan |last2=Tesla |date=June 21, 2017 |publisher=United States Environmental Protection Agency |quote=HTSLV00.0L13 … L: Lithium Ion Battery; 1 – RWD Motor; 3 – Model 3 Line of vehicles … The motor is a 3‐phase AC internal permanent magnet motor utilizing a six‐pole, high‐frequency design with inverter‐controlled magnetic flux. |access-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812030236/https://iaspub.epa.gov/otaqpub/display_file.jsp?docid=40001&flag=1 |archive-date=August 12, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=April 23, 2019 |title=The Longest-Range Electric Vehicle Now Goes Even Farther {{!}} Tesla, Inc. |url=https://www.tesla.com/blog/longest-range-electric-vehicle-now-goes-even-farther |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021100211/https://www.tesla.com/blog/longest-range-electric-vehicle-now-goes-even-farther |archive-date=October 21, 2019 |access-date=October 6, 2019 |website=tesla.com |language=en-US |quote=All Model S and X vehicles now benefit from Tesla's latest generation of drive unit technology, which combines an optimized permanent magnet synchronous reluctance motor, silicon carbide power electronics, and improved lubrication, cooling, bearings, and gear designs to achieve greater than 93% efficiency. Pairing a permanent magnet motor in the front with an induction motor in the rear enables unparalleled range and performance at all times.}}{{Cite web |date=April 24, 2019 |title=Motor technology from Model 3 helps Tesla boost Model S range 10 {{!}} |url=https://arstechnica.com/cars/2019/04/motor-technology-from-model-3-helps-tesla-boost-model-s-range-10/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006100758/https://arstechnica.com/cars/2019/04/motor-technology-from-model-3-helps-tesla-boost-model-s-range-10/ |archive-date=October 6, 2019 |access-date=October 6, 2019 |website=arstechnica.com}}

For the Model 3, Tesla initially decided to use 2170-type (21 mm diameter, 70 mm height) cylindrical cells. Compared with the 18650-type batteries that the company had been using since its first generation Roadster, the 2170 batteries were optimized for electric cars, allowing for a higher capacity per cell and a lower number of cells per battery pack.

For vehicles built at the Tesla Fremont Factory, the company sources 2170-type batteries with a nickel-cobalt-aluminum cathode chemistry from Panasonic's production line at Gigafactory Nevada.

For vehicles made at Gigafactory Shanghai, batteries with a nickel-cobalt-manganese cathode chemistry are sourced from LG Energy Solution's factories in China.

As lower-cost models were introduced, Tesla started using prismatic (rectangular) cells with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry in vehicles produced in both factories.{{Cite web |last=Kane |first=Mark |date=May 23, 2022 |title=What Batteries Are Tesla Using In Its Electric Cars? |url=https://insideevs.com/news/587455/batteries-tesla-using-electric-cars/ |access-date=August 17, 2023 |website=InsideEVs |language=en}} LFP batteries are less energy-dense (which reduces range), but do not contain any nickel or cobalt, which makes them less expensive to produce.{{cite web |last=Sanderson |first=Henry |date=February 19, 2020 |title=Tesla's choice of cheaper lithium batteries hits cobalt miners |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7264bdda-5310-11ea-90ad-25e377c0ee1f |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211231233/https://www.ft.com/content/7264bdda-5310-11ea-90ad-25e377c0ee1f |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |website=Financial Times}} Unlike other types, LFP batteries achieve less degradation when being regularly charged to 100 percent. Tesla sources these batteries from CATL in China.

When production began in 2017, the base Model 3 was announced to have a 50-kWh battery with a range of about {{convert|220|miles|abbr=out}} while the optional 75-kWh battery would have a range of about {{convert|310|miles|abbr=out}}.{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2017 |title=Take an In-Depth Look at the Tesla Model 3's New Battery Pack Architecture |url=https://futurism.com/take-an-in-depth-look-at-the-tesla-model-3s-new-battery-pack-architecture/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107015125/https://futurism.com/take-an-in-depth-look-at-the-tesla-model-3s-new-battery-pack-architecture/ |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=November 6, 2017}}

The 350-volt (nominal, 400v max) Model 3 battery packs are made of four longitudinal modules each containing the groups (bricks). The Standard Range version carries 2,976 cells arranged in 96 groups of 31. The Long Range version carries 4,416 cells arranged in 96 groups of 46, and weighs{{Cite web |last=Govindasamy |first=Kannan |date=June 21, 2017 |title=RequestforissuanceofanewcertificateofConformity– Initial application for MY2017 Model 3 - Touring |url=https://iaspub.epa.gov/otaqpub/display_file.jsp?docid=40001&flag=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525092128/https://iaspub.epa.gov/otaqpub/display_file.jsp%3Fdocid%3D40001%26flag%3D1 |archive-date=May 25, 2019 |access-date=May 25, 2019 |publisher=Environmental Protection Agency}} {{Convert|480|kg|lbs|order=flip|abbr=}} in a {{cvt|0.40|m3|cuft|order=flip}} volume; a density of {{cvt|150|Wh/kg|kJ/kg|0}}.{{Cite web |date=January 28, 2019 |title=Request for issuance of a new certificate of Conformity |url=https://iaspub.epa.gov/otaqpub/display_file.jsp?docid=46584&flag=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074858/https://iaspub.epa.gov/otaqpub/display_file.jsp?docid=46584&flag=1 |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=March 14, 2020 |page=36}}{{Cite web |last=Arcus |first=Christopher |date=July 9, 2018 |title=Tesla Model 3 & Chevy Bolt Battery Packs Examined |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2018/07/08/tesla-model-3-chevy-bolt-battery-packs-examined/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210192933/https://cleantechnica.com/2018/07/08/tesla-model-3-chevy-bolt-battery-packs-examined/ |archive-date=December 10, 2019 |access-date=December 1, 2019 |website=CleanTechnica}} The car's onboard AC/DC converter is 11 kW.{{Cite news |last=D'Angelo |first=Matt |date=July 29, 2017 |title=Tesla Model 3 specs – 220-mile standard with 310-mile option for $9k |work=Teslarati |url=https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-3-battery-range-220mi-310-mi-premium/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731152050/http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-3-battery-range-220mi-310-mi-premium/ |archive-date=July 31, 2017}} In Europe this requires three-phase electric power, otherwise single-phase power is 7.4 kW.{{Cite web |title=Tesla Model 3 |url=https://ev-database.org/car/1555/Tesla-Model-3#charge-table |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122203213/https://ev-database.org/car/1555/Tesla-Model-3 |archive-date=November 22, 2021 |website=EV Database |language=en}}

Tesla continues to improve the design of the 2170 battery cell and introduces incremental improvements into the manufacturing line periodically.{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2019 |title=Tesla Gigafactory Tour Shows Where Tesla Continuously Drives Down Battery Costs |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2019/01/05/tesla-gigafactory-tour-shows-why-teslas-batteries-constantly-improving/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126000724/https://cleantechnica.com/2019/01/05/tesla-gigafactory-tour-shows-why-teslas-batteries-constantly-improving/ |archive-date=January 26, 2019 |access-date=January 25, 2019 |website=CleanTechnica}}

The inverter for the Model 3 drive unit uses 24 pairs of silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET chips rated for 650 volts{{clarify|is it known what the model is? can we ascertain what the current specification is? so as to improve the encyclopedic description here.|date=January 2020}} each.{{Cite report |url=http://www.systemplus.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/SP18413-STM_SiC_Module_Tesla_Model_3_Inverter_sample-3.pdf |title=STMicroelectronics SiC Module in Tesla Model3 Inverter |last=Barbarini |first=Elena |date=June 25, 2018 |publisher=SystemPlus Consulting |quote=full SiC power module, in its Model 3. … STMicroelectronics … Tesla inverter … 24 1-in-1 power modules … module contains two SiC MOSFETs |access-date=September 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074859/https://www.systemplus.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/SP18413-STM_SiC_Module_Tesla_Model_3_Inverter_sample-3.pdf |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |url-status=live}}

In May 2019 Tesla started offering an optional tow bar rated for {{convert|2000|lb|kg}} available with Standard Range Plus and Long Range for the European Model 3.{{Cite web |title=Design your Model 3 |url=https://www.tesla.com/en_GB/model3/design?redirect=no#paint |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074958/https://www.tesla.com/en_GB/model3/design?redirect=no#paint |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=May 8, 2019 |website=tesla.com}}{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=May 8, 2019 |title=Tesla launches tow hitch for Model 3 |work=Electrek |url=https://electrek.co/2019/05/08/tesla-model-3-tow-hitch/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605191349/https://electrek.co/2019/05/08/tesla-model-3-tow-hitch/ |archive-date=June 5, 2019}}{{Cite web |date=May 14, 2019 |title=Model 3 Tow Hitch |url=https://www.tesla.com/en_GB/videos/model-3-tow-hitch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519194744/https://www.tesla.com/en_GB/videos/model-3-tow-hitch |archive-date=May 19, 2019 |access-date=May 14, 2019 |website=tesla.com}}

In December 2019, Tesla offered Long Range dual-motor Model 3 owners who had software version 2019.40.2 the option to purchase a US$2000 "Acceleration Boost" software upgrade enabling a Sport driving mode,{{Cite web |title=Tesla Model 3 owners can go quicker with a click |url=https://www.autoblog.com/2019/12/19/tesla-model-3-speed-boost/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074901/https://www.autoblog.com/2019/12/19/tesla-model-3-speed-boost/ |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=December 21, 2019 |website=autoblog.com}} advertised to reduce 0-{{convert|60|mph|0|abbr=on}} time from 4.4s to 3.9s. Road testing confirmed better-than-expected acceleration with drivers in Sport mode reaching 0-{{convert|60|mph|0|abbr=on}} in 3.67s from standstill and 3.47s with a 1-foot rollout.{{Cite web |title=teslamotorsclub.com Dragy 0-60mph Results |url=https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/attachments/3-67zeroto60-png.489974/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222004547/https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/attachments/3-67zeroto60-png.489974/ |archive-date=December 22, 2019 |access-date=December 21, 2019 |website=teslamotorsclub.com}}

Structurally, the Model 3 is mostly steel, and most body panels are aluminum.{{Cite news |last=Uesaka |first=Yoshifumi |date=September 12, 2016 |title=The company that helps Tesla make aluminum look sexy |work=Nikkei Asian Review |url=http://asia.nikkei.com/Tech-Science/Tech/The-company-that-helps-Tesla-make-aluminum-look-sexy?page=2 |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913201501/http://asia.nikkei.com/Tech-Science/Tech/The-company-that-helps-Tesla-make-aluminum-look-sexy?page=2 |archive-date=September 13, 2016}}{{Cite web |title=Tesla Model 3 Aluminum, Steel, High-Strength Steel Mix Revealed |url=https://insideevs.com/news/334582/tesla-model-3-aluminum-steel-high-strength-steel-mix-revealed/ |website=InsideEVs}}

Due to its smaller size, the Model 3 is expected to consume less energy than the Model Y, and thus have longer range.{{Cite web |last=Field |first=Kyle |date=June 8, 2019 |title=Streamlining Manufacturing of the Tesla Model 3 For The Model Y |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2019/06/08/streamlining-manufacturing-of-the-tesla-model-3-for-the-model-y/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821223314/https://cleantechnica.com/2019/06/08/streamlining-manufacturing-of-the-tesla-model-3-for-the-model-y/ |archive-date=August 21, 2019 |website=CleanTechnica |quote=the Model Y is notably larger than the Model 3 and has a larger frontal surface area as a result. Combined with its 8–10% heavier build, that will result in a lower efficiency than the 3}}

Traditional stability control is not made for dual-motor control or the faster response time in electric motors, and Tesla modified the control unit.{{Cite web |last=Valle |first=Marius |date=May 24, 2019 |title=How Tesla engineers work with Model 3 |url=https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=no&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tu.no%2Fartikler%2Fslik-jobber-teslas-ingeniorer-med-model-3%2F465394 |publisher=Teknisk Ukeblad |via=Google Translate}} The cooling system is integrated to reduce size and cost.{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2018 |title=The Tesla Model 3 'Superbottle' Easter Egg Is a Fascinating Packaging Solution |url=https://jalopnik.com/the-tesla-model-3s-superbottle-easter-egg-is-a-fascin-1830992728 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219054117/https://jalopnik.com/the-tesla-model-3s-superbottle-easter-egg-is-a-fascin-1830992728 |archive-date=December 19, 2019 |website=Jalopnik |language=en-us}}

Sometime during August 2020, Tesla added heating hardware to the Model 3's charge port which was enabled by software update later in the year to prevent ice buildup.{{Cite web |date=October 13, 2020 |title=Tesla Model 3's made since August 2020 have the heated charge port |url=https://driveteslacanada.ca/model-3/tesla-model-3s-made-since-august-2020-have-the-heated-charge-port/ |website=Drive Tesla}}{{Cite web |title=Tesla Model 3 & Y To Get Heated Charging Port Via Upcoming Update |url=https://insideevs.com/news/446792/tesla-model-3-y-heated-charging-port-winter-weather-update/ |website=InsideEVs |language=en}}

Beginning in October 2023 (most markets) or January 2024 (US market), Model 3 cars were delivered with changes for the "Highland" refresh. Tesla states that fifty percent of the Model 3's components have been changed for the 2024 Highland version.{{cite web |last1=Hassan |first1=Ali |title=10 Things You Need To Know About The Tesla Model 3 Refresh |url=https://www.topspeed.com/tesla-model-3-refresh-need-to-know/ |website=TopSpeed |access-date=11 March 2024 |language=en |date=15 December 2023}} The changes included a revised suspension emphasizing ride comfort, additional noise reduction, lack of stalks on the steering column, ventilated front seats, a small rear screen, slightly improved aerodynamics, and new headlights, taillights, and wheels.{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2023 |title=Tesla Model 3 Highland |url=https://tesla-info.com/guide/tesla-model-3-highland.php |website=TeslaInfo }} The shifter has been removed and the gear may be selected on the touchscreen, or by simply letting the vehicle's predictive software select the appropriate gear. For emergency purposes, there are P-R-N-D buttons above the front windshield.{{cite news |last1=Lim |first1=Brandon |title=How Do You Shift a Tesla Model 3 Highland? There Are Three Ways |url=https://www.motortrend.com/features/tesla-model-3-highland-how-to-shift-gears-automatic-screen-buttons/ |access-date=11 March 2024 |work=Motor Trend}}

In Singapore, Tesla offers a version of the Model 3 (called the RWD 110) with a limited {{cvt|110|kW|PS|0}} engine output. This engine power cap results in the so-called COE Cat A status and therefore lower road taxes. Its {{cvt|0-100|km/h|mph|0|order=flip}} acceleration takes 8.6 s (RWD: {{cvt|170|kW|PS|0|disp=comma}}, 0–100 km/h in 6.1 s).{{cite web | url = https://www.sgcarmart.com/articles/car-reviews/tesla-model-3-rwd-110-60kwh-facelift-review-35455 | title = Tesla Model 3 RWD 110 60kWh Facelift Review | website = SGCarMart | date = 17 July 2024 | access-date = 18 April 2025 }}

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Following crash testing in 2019, the Model 3 performed very well, receiving five stars in every category from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=September 20, 2018 |title=Tesla Model 3 gets perfect 5-star safety rating in every category from NHTSA |work=Electrek |url=https://electrek.co/2018/09/20/tesla-model-3-5-star-safety-rating-nhtsa/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920130126/https://electrek.co/2018/09/20/tesla-model-3-5-star-safety-rating-nhtsa/ |archive-date=September 20, 2018}}{{Cite report |url=https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/TESLA/MODEL%2525203/4%252520DR/RWD |title=2018 Tesla Model 3 4 |publisher=National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |quote=5 stars |access-date=September 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920193633/https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/TESLA/MODEL%203/4%20DR/RWD |archive-date=September 20, 2018 |url-status=live |trans-title=2018 Tesla Model 3 Four-Door Rear Wheel Drive}} and a 94% Euro NCAP score in active safety.{{Cite web |date=July 3, 2019 |title=Tesla, Mercedes and Škoda Score a Touchdown in Euro NCAP's Latest Safety Tests |url=https://www.euroncap.com/en/press-media/press-releases/tesla-mercedes-and-skoda-score-a-touchdown-in-euro-ncap-s-latest-safety-tests-1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704070332/https://www.euroncap.com/en/press-media/press-releases/tesla-mercedes-and-skoda-score-a-touchdown-in-euro-ncap-s-latest-safety-tests-1/ |archive-date=July 4, 2019 |access-date=July 4, 2019 |website=euroncap.com |publisher=Euro NCAP |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Schmidt |first=Bridie |date=July 4, 2019 |title=Tesla Model 3 smashes European NCAP tests with best safety assist |url=https://thedriven.io/2019/07/04/tesla-model-3-smashes-european-ncap-tests-with-best-safety-assist/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704070350/https://thedriven.io/2019/07/04/tesla-model-3-smashes-european-ncap-tests-with-best-safety-assist/ |archive-date=July 4, 2019 |access-date=July 4, 2019 |website=The Driven |quote=(Table sorted ny Safety Assist)}}

Model 3 may lose Euro NCAP 5 star rating in 2026 due to the lack of physical buttons.[https://soyacincau.com/2024/03/06/will-the-new-euro-ncap-physical-button-policy-impact-the-tesla-model-3/ Will the new Euro NCAP physical button policy impact the Tesla Model 3?][https://www.autoweek.com/news/a60129328/euro-ncap-safety-buttons-regulations/ European Auto Safety Watchdog Wants Physical Buttons Restored][https://thesun.my/motoring-news/euro-ncap-calls-for-return-to-physical-controls-by-2026-for-improved-safety-HB12202894 Euro NCAP Calls for Return to Physical Controls by 2026 for Improved Safety]

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| video6={{YouTube|2TiQ_KYRxdI|ANCAP crash test}}|video7={{YouTube|be5MLDXUvHE|Driver-side small overlap IIHS crash test}}|video8={{YouTube|N7xdojTN2Ok|Moderate overlap IIHS crash test}}}}

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For the single-seater ERA discipline, making its debut in 2023, the Brink Motorsport team is equipped with Model 3s. This allows Tesla to make its debut in automobile racing.{{Cite web |title=Tesla va faire ses débuts en compétition avec la Model 3 |url=https://www.automobile-propre.com/breves/tesla-va-faire-ses-debuts-en-competition-avec-la-model-3/ |website=automobile propre.}}

In November 2024, the Tesla Model 3 ranked last in a Technical Inspection Association (TÜV) analysis of the results of road-worthiness inspections for newer cars in Germany and Austria. These inspections are mandatory in Germany.{{cite news |url=https://www.carscoops.com/2024/11/tesla-model-3-comes-bottom-in-german-tuv-reliability-test-again/ |title=Tesla Model 3 Ranks Dead Last In TUV Reliability Tests For Newer Cars |first=Chris |last=Chilton |work=Car Scoops |location= |date=2024-11-23 |access-date=2024-12-31}} According to TÜV, the comparatively high failure rate can be partly explained by the fact that Tesla does not require regular maintenance.{{Cite web |title=Pressemitteilung TÜV Report 2025 |url=https://www.tuvsud.com/de-de/-/media/de/corporate/pdf/presse/2024/november/182a_as_tuev-report_2025_lead.pdf |access-date=2025-01-01}} In Denmark, 23% of Tesla Model 3 model year 2020 failed their first inspection in 2024, as compared to 9% of electric cars from other brands that failed the inspection.{{cite news |url=https://fdm.dk/nyheder/bilist/2025-01-populaer-tesla-model-dumper-med-et-brag-til-syn |title=Populær Tesla-model dumper med et brag til syn |trans-title=Popular Tesla model dumps with a bang |first=Mads |last=Bregenov-Pedersen |work=FDM |location=Denmark |date=2025-01-24 |access-date=2025-02-06}}

File:Silver and Midnight Silver Tesla Model 3s.jpg

• Car-design columnist and former car designer for GM Robert Cumberford said the Model 3 "is an excellent design" and praised the front fascia skin that he thinks is superior to the black plastic simulated grille of the pre-refresh Model S.{{Cite web |last=Cumberford |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Cumberford |date=September 5, 2016 |title=By Design: Tesla Model 3 |url=http://www.automobilemag.com/news/tesla-model-3-design/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009145839/http://www.automobilemag.com/news/tesla-model-3-design/ |archive-date=October 9, 2016 |access-date=October 7, 2016 |magazine=Automobile}}{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=September 5, 2016 |title=Tesla Model 3's design praised by famed car design critic Robert Cumberford |work=Electrek |url=https://electrek.co/2016/09/05/tesla-model-3-design-praised-robert-cumberford/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910050347/https://electrek.co/2016/09/05/tesla-model-3-design-praised-robert-cumberford/ |archive-date=September 10, 2016}} Cumberford praised the Model 3's minimalist design, and "elegant simplicity" akin to Apple products. Although he criticized the car's spoiler, he said the Model 3 has a design that would age well, and "in 10 years it will still look contemporary and beautifully understated, not old and irrelevant."
• Motor Trend said the nose was controversial and polarizing, but probably intentionally so.{{Cite news |last=Vance |first=Brian |date=May 10, 2016 |title=Exclusive Tesla Photos and Expert Analysis on Model 3 Design and Tech |work=Motor Trend |location=US |url=http://www.motortrend.com/news/tesla-model-3-photos-analysis/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516165403/http://www.motortrend.com/news/tesla-model-3-photos-analysis/ |archive-date=May 16, 2016}} Vanity Fair and others compared the Model 3 to the Ford Model T for its intended affordability as a volume-produced electric vehicle.{{Cite news |last=Berk |first=Brett |date=April 1, 2016 |title=The Tesla Model 3 Wants to be the Millennial Model T |work=Vanity Fair |location=US |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/04/tesla-model-3-electric-car |url-status=live |access-date=June 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613180858/http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/04/tesla-model-3-electric-car |archive-date=June 13, 2017}}{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Carson |title=Tesla and the Model T – Learning from the Past to Invent the Future |url=http://www.instrument.com/articles/tesla-and-the-model-t |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627171407/http://www.instrument.com/articles/tesla-and-the-model-t |archive-date=June 27, 2017 |access-date=June 4, 2017 |publisher=Instrument}} Automotive journalist Doug DeMuro said the Model 3 was better, though $2,000 more expensive, than the BMW 340i and that it was the "coolest car of the year," later clarifying that this was based on the "long waiting lists, obsessive interest and news stories."{{Cite web |last=DeMuro |first=Doug |date=November 6, 2017 |title=Here's Why the Tesla Model 3 Is the Coolest Car of 2017 |url=https://www.autotrader.com/car-video/heres-why-the-tesla-model-3-is-the-coolest-car-of-2017-270672 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107121625/https://www.autotrader.com/car-video/heres-why-the-tesla-model-3-is-the-coolest-car-of-2017-270672 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=November 7, 2017 |website=AutoTrader.com}} Alex Roy said that DeMuro's review had concentrated on hardware details and missed out on the bigger picture.{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Alex |author-link=Alex Roy |date=November 7, 2017 |title=The Truth Behind Doug DeMuro's Tesla Model 3 Review |url=http://www.thedrive.com/opinion/15838/the-truth-behind-doug-demuros-tesla-model-3-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109191829/http://www.thedrive.com/opinion/15838/the-truth-behind-doug-demuros-tesla-model-3-review |archive-date=November 9, 2017 |access-date=November 10, 2017 |website=/Drive |quote=DeMuro blew his Model 3 review by ignoring Tesla's biggest secret. … If you want to understand the Model 3, read retired auto exec … Bob Lutz's screed on the future of the auto sector. … The Model 3, both in design and marketing, is beyond genius.}}
• Automotive-industry analyst Toni Sacconaghi of AllianceBernstein said after driving one of the early Tesla vehicles in November 2017 that "Overall, we found the Model 3 to be a compelling offering, and believe it is likely to further galvanize the overall Electric Vehicle category." He was less impressed with build quality of the test samples. "Fit and finish on the two demo cars we saw—perhaps not surprisingly—was relatively poor." He said that there were quality issues at first with the Model X which led to some concern. "This is going to be a much, much higher-volume car, and if there are any quality issues, that could overwhelm the service centers and undermine the Tesla brand." Nonetheless, Sacconaghi was impressed with the ride quality, performance and interior space, and concluded that the 3 "risks cannibalizing the [much more expensive] Model S going forward."{{Cite web |last=Hiltzik |first=Michael |date=November 14, 2017 |title=Tesla's new Model 3 sedan has test drivers swooning – but quality issues lurk on the horizon |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-tesla-quality-20171114-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105035824/http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-tesla-quality-20171114-story.html |archive-date=January 5, 2018 |access-date=January 5, 2018 |website=Los Angeles Times}}
• Road & Track{{'}}s Bob Sorokanich said the "Model 3 proves that Tesla is thinking far beyond the edges of the Model S and X. Stepping out of the 3, you realize that, as far as the S and X pushed the envelope, they were always meant as intermediaries, stepping stones designed to draw people away from comfortable convention and into the future of the automobile. ... The Model 3 is Tesla at its most unabashed. It's an automaker finally willing to abandon the skeuomorphism of a false radiator grille, the tradition of a driver-oriented gauge panel."{{Cite news |last=Sorokanich |first=Bob |date=January 12, 2018 |title=Tesla Model 3: The Road & Track Review : Can Tesla's most affordable model kick-start the electric car revolution? |work=Road & Track |url=http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/a15070866/tesla-model-3-test-drive-review/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112234745/http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/a15070866/tesla-model-3-test-drive-review/ |archive-date=January 12, 2018}}
• In 2018, a Model 3 was driven {{convert|606.2|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} on a single charge, setting a hypermiling driving record.{{Cite web |last=Hawkins |first=Andrew J. |date=May 29, 2018 |title=Tesla Model 3 drives 606 miles on a single charge in hypermiling record |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/29/17405906/tesla-model-3-hypermilling-driving-record |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711113903/https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/29/17405906/tesla-model-3-hypermilling-driving-record |archive-date=July 11, 2019 |access-date=December 29, 2019 |website=The Verge}}
• In early 2019, Kelley Blue Book announced that the Tesla Model 3 was the winner of the "Best Resale Value Award" for all automobiles in the US market "with a projected 69.3% resale value after 36 months and 48.7% after 60 months."{{Cite web |last=Ferris |first=Dacia J. |date=January 25, 2019 |title=Tesla Model 3, Model X take top spots for EV with highest resale value by KBB |url=https://www.teslarati.com/used-tesla-model-3-model-x-resale-value-kelley-blue-book-kbb/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126000712/https://www.teslarati.com/used-tesla-model-3-model-x-resale-value-kelley-blue-book-kbb/ |archive-date=January 26, 2019 |access-date=January 25, 2019}}

• Popular Mechanics named the Tesla Model 3 as the magazine's 2018 Car of the Year.{{Cite magazine |last=Dyer |first=Ezra |date=March 28, 2018 |title=The 2018 Automotive Excellence Awards |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/gmp19605464/best-cars-2018/ |url-status=live |magazine=Popular Mechanics |location=US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411105701/https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/gmp19605464/best-cars-2018/ |archive-date=April 11, 2018 |access-date=April 11, 2018}} Model 3 was given the 2018 Design of the Year award by Automobile magazine.{{Cite news |last=Cumberford |first=Robert |date=January 17, 2018 |title=2018 Design of the Year: Tesla Model 3 |publisher=Automobile |location=US |url=http://www.automobilemag.com/news/2018-design-of-the-year-tesla-model-3/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412003051/http://www.automobilemag.com/news/2018-design-of-the-year-tesla-model-3/ |archive-date=April 12, 2018}}
• In the United Kingdom, the Model 3 was named 2019 Car of the Year by Auto Express magazine,{{Cite news |date=July 10, 2019 |title=Car of the Year 2019: Tesla Model 3 |publisher=Dennis Publishing |location=UK |url=https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tesla/model-3/107363/car-of-the-year-2019-tesla-model-3 |url-status=live |access-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714004442/https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tesla/model-3/107363/car-of-the-year-2019-tesla-model-3 |archive-date=July 14, 2019}} and 2020 Car of the Year by Parkers magazine, where it was also named "Best Electric Car" and "Best Company Car", and won the "Best Safety" award for any vehicle on the market.{{Cite web |date=October 2019 |title=Parkers New Car Awards 2020 |url=https://www.parkers.co.uk/car-awards/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022063211/https://www.parkers.co.uk/car-awards/ |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |access-date=October 22, 2019 |website=Parkers |publisher=Bauer Media}}
• The Model 3 won best mid-size car in the 2019 Das Goldene Lenkrad Golden Steering Wheel awards.{{Cite press release |title="Mobility requires freedom": The Golden Steering Wheel 2019: Bild am Sonntag and Auto-Bild award the best cars |date=November 13, 2019 |location=Germany |url=https://www.axelspringer.com/en/press-releases/mobility-requires-freedom-the-golden-steering-wheel-2019-bild-am-sonntag-and-auto-bild-award-the-best-cars |access-date=November 13, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113074602/https://www.axelspringer.com/en/press-releases/mobility-requires-freedom-the-golden-steering-wheel-2019-bild-am-sonntag-and-auto-bild-award-the-best-cars |archive-date=November 13, 2019 |work=Axel Springer}}
• The Model 3 was named the top-rated electric car of 2019 by Edmunds.com, as well as being named Edmunds' top-rated Luxury Electric Vehicle for 2020.{{Cite web |title=2020 Tesla Model 3 Prices, Reviews, and Pictures {{!}} Edmunds |url=https://www.edmunds.com/tesla/model-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074947/https://www.edmunds.com/tesla/model-3/ |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=October 20, 2020 |website=Edmunds.com}}{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2019 |title=Edmunds Declares Tesla Model 3 Its Top-Rated Electric Car of the Year |url=https://insideevs.com/news/387553/edmunds-tesla-model-3-ev-of-year/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215065500/https://insideevs.com/news/387553/edmunds-tesla-model-3-ev-of-year/ |archive-date=December 15, 2019 |access-date=December 15, 2019}}
• In late 2019, the Model 3 was also named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.{{Cite web |last=Sky Brown |first=Laura |date=September 19, 2019 |title=2019 Tesla Model 3 Named IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a29117057/tesla-model-3-iihs-top-safety-pick-plus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920123728/https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a29117057/tesla-model-3-iihs-top-safety-pick-plus/ |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |access-date=September 19, 2019 |website=Car and Driver}} The Model 3 also won Car of the Year in Denmark, Car of the Year 2020 in Norway, and Swiss Car of the Year 2020.{{Cite web |title=Tesla model 3 Wiki – Tesla Model 3 Awards |url=https://www.teslamodel3wiki.com/tesla-model-3-awards/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074928/https://www.teslamodel3wiki.com/tesla-model-3-awards/ |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |access-date=February 25, 2020 |website=Tesla Model 3 Wiki}}
• The Model 3 was named as UK Car of the Year 2020 by a panel of 29 motoring journalists. The director of the awards stated that the car's "technology, performance and range" were converting opinions in favor of electric vehicles.{{Cite news |last=Hudson |first=Paul |date=February 28, 2020 |title=Tesla Model 3 takes UK Car of the Year title |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/news/tesla-model-3-takes-uk-car-year-title/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227074927/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/news/tesla-model-3-takes-uk-car-year-title/ |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |issn=0307-1235}}
• The car was chosen as one of the Top 10 Tech Cars by the IEEE in 2018.{{Cite journal |date=April 2018 |title=Top 10 Tech Cars: 2018 |journal=IEEE Spectrum |volume=55 |issue=4 |page=30 |doi=10.1109/MSPEC.2018.8322044 |issn=0018-9235 |s2cid=4116523}}
• In January 2021, the Model 3 Standard Range Plus was named Large Electric Car of the Year by What Car? magazine.{{Cite web |title=Car of the Year Awards 2021: Large Electric Car of the Year |url=https://www.whatcar.com/news/car-of-the-year-awards-2021-large-electric-car-of-the-year/n22440 |access-date=December 3, 2021 |website=whatcar.com}} What Car? awarded the Model 3 five stars out of five in its review of the car.{{Cite web |title=Tesla Model 3 Review 2021 |url=https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010 |access-date=December 3, 2021 |website=whatcar.com}}
• In May 2021, the Model 3 won Auto Trader UK's New Car Award for Best Car for Families.{{Cite web |title=Best Car for Families Award 2021 – Tesla Model 3 |url=https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/news/best-car-for-families-award-2021-tesla-model-3 |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=www.autotrader.co.uk}} Auto Trader awarded the Model 3 four and a half stars out of five in its review of the car.{{Cite web |title=Tesla Model 3 Review 2022 |url=https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/tesla/model-3 |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=www.autotrader.co.uk}}
• In January 2024, the Model 3 RWD was awarded Executive Car of the Year by What Car? magazine.{{Cite web |title=Car of the Year Awards 2024: Executive Car of the Year | url=https://www.whatcar.com/news/car-of-the-year-awards-executive-car-of-the-year/n25364 |access-date=2024-02-12}}{{Cite web |title=2024 Tesla Model 3 |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/tesla/model-3 |access-date=2024-02-12|website=caranddriver.com}}
• In January 2024, the Tesla Model 3 was awarded Mid-Size Company Car of the Year by Auto Express, recognizing its efficiency, advanced technology, and cost-effectiveness for businesses.{{Cite web |title=Mid-size Company Car of the Year 2024: Tesla Model 3 |url=https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tesla/model-3/363549/mid-size-company-car-year-2024-tesla-model-3 |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Auto Express |language=en}}
• In 2025, the Tesla Model 3 was named Top Rated Electric Car by Edmunds, praised for its range, performance, advanced features, and overall driving experience.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-22 |title=Edmunds Top Rated vehicle awards are out for 2025 |url=https://apnews.com/article/toprated-vehicles-2025-cars-suvs-1b6d9215553baf6558386c8554964c4b |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=AP News |language=en}}

• In December 2021, 356,309 Model 3 vehicles built between 2017 and 2020 were recalled because of the possibility of damage to the rear view camera wiring harness caused by trunk operation.{{Cite news |last=Jin |first=Hyunjoo |date=December 31, 2021 |title=Tesla recalls almost half a million cars |publisher=nextmedia |agency=Reuters |url=https://www.itnews.com.au/news/tesla-recalls-almost-half-a-million-cars-574376 |access-date=December 31, 2021}}
• In November 2022, Tesla recalled all vehicles for an over-the-air software update to remedy a condition where the tail lamps on one or both sides of the vehicle could work intermittently, making the vehicle less visible to others and increasing the risk of a crash.{{Cite web |date=November 25, 2022 |title=Transport Canada Recall - 2022651 - TESLA |url=https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/transport-canada-recall-2022651-tesla |access-date=March 26, 2023 |publisher=Transport Canada}}
• In February 2023, Tesla recalled all vehicles equipped with the Full Self Driving Beta in the US and Canada for an over-the-air software update at the direction of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency said the system had allowed the vehicle to "exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner [which] increases the risk of a crash." Tesla opposed the federal request but ultimately complied. Elon Musk tweeted that the decision was, "anachronistic and just flat wrong!" U.S. senators Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal said the recall was, "long overdue," adding, "Tesla must finally stop overstating the real capabilities of its vehicles." The fix, coming to a complete stop at stop signs rather than ~1 mph, was provided via an over-the-air software update.{{Cite news |date=February 16, 2023 |title=Tesla recalls 362000 US Vehicles |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-recalls-362000-us-vehicles-over-full-self-driving-software-2023-02-16/ |access-date=March 26, 2023}}{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2023 |title=Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-085|url=https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCLRPT-23V085-3451.PDF |access-date=January 27, 2024 |publisher=National Highway Traffic Safety Administration}}
• In December 2023, Tesla recalled all models with Autosteer (the lane centering part of Autopilot) in the US for an over-the-air software update that takes additional measures to ensure that the driver is paying attention.{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2023 |title=Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-838|url=https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCLRPT-23V838-8276.PDF |access-date=January 24, 2024 |publisher=National Highway Traffic Safety Administration}} Software version 2023.44.30 contains the remedy for the recall.{{Cite web |date=December 20, 2023 |title=Tesla, Inc. Service Bulletin SB-23-00-008|url=https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCRIT-23V838-7985.pdf |access-date=January 24, 2024 |publisher=Tesla, Inc. and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration}}
• In January 2024, Tesla recalled all vehicles for an over-the-air software update that increased the font size of the visual warning indicators for brake, park, and antilock brake to the minimum required size of 3.2mm (1/8 inch).{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2024 |title=Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24V-051|url=https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V051-2023.PDF |access-date=February 2, 2024 |publisher=National Highway Traffic Safety Administration}}
• In May 2024, Tesla recalled all vehicles in the US for an over-the-air software update to remedy a situation where the seat belt warning may not activate if there is an "open trace in the driver seat occupancy switch". The software update became available in June 2024 and removes the dependency on the driver seat occupancy switch, using only the seat belt and ignition statuses to activate the warning.{{Cite web |date=May 30, 2024 |title=Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24V-376|url=https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V376-3527.PDF |access-date=May 31, 2024 |publisher=National Highway Traffic Safety Administration}}
• In December 2024, Tesla recalled all vehicles for an over-the-air software update to resolve a condition where the tire pressure monitoring system may fail to provide adequate warnings.{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2024 |title=Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24V-935|url=https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V935-1846.PDF |access-date=December 20, 2024 |publisher=National Highway Traffic Safety Administration}}{{Cite web |date=November 12, 2024 |title=Update Vehicle Firmware to Correct TPMS Malfunction|url=https://www.tesla.com/support/recall-vehicle-firmware-correct-tpms-malfunction |access-date=December 20, 2024 |publisher=Tesla, Inc.}}
• In January 2025, Tesla recalled some 2024–2025 Model 3 and Model S vehicles and some 2023–2025 Model X and Model Y vehicles for a software update to avoid shorting the car computer, preventing (among other things) the rear view camera from displaying.{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2025 |title=Part 573 Safety Recall Report 25V-002|url=https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V002-6930.PDF |access-date=January 10, 2025 |publisher=National Highway Traffic Safety Administration}} Software releases 2024.44.25.3, 2024.44.25.6, or later contain changes to the power-up sequence. Computers that have been damaged need to be replaced under warranty to complete the remedy.

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Model 3