Tesla to unveil new product today

Any delays in the launch of the Model 3 could turn into good news for the Chevrolet Bolt. Here are some key areas to watch when Tesla reports results. Now, let’s take a closer look at this existing trend before we explore analysts’ estimates for Tesla’s revenues in 3Q16.

The Model 3 cars are fully electric and have a sticker price starting at about $35,000 before tax incentives.

Even if both operating profit and non-GAAP earnings per share are barely above breakeven, this would at least provide some evidence Tesla’s business can benefit from scale.

A Tesla model S sits parked outside of a new Tesla showroom and service center in Red Hook, Brooklyn on July 5, 2016 in New York City.

A flood of desertions, some observers have suggested, could be good for Chevrolet, as it will have its own, long-range, affordable electric auto in showrooms months – and perhaps a year or more – ahead of Tesla.

Since Tesla delivered about 24,500 vehicles in Q3, this implies expectations for about 25,500 deliveries in the final quarter.

While events such as the Autopilot crash have raised questions about the various technologies and regulations around self-driving cars, many reporters and commentators have also spoken out in favor of the concept. The website of company also clearly states that the production of these cars will begin in late 2017. So far, Tesla has only held “part one” of the Model 3’s long and drawn-out reveal, with “part two” set to happen at a now unknown date. Tesla said it received 373,000 pre-orders for the Model 3 after its unveiling on March 31.

Company CEO Elon Musk has projected production numbers for all three models of around 500,000 units a year, and has been building out a massive Gigafactory in the desert outside of Reno, Nev., for the manufacturing of battery cells and, eventually, cars. “The most critical piece of the puzzle, which is missing from Tesla’s announcement, is the car-to-car communication that ensures full Level 4 autonomous riding is safe for passengers and pedestrians alike”. Though I’m leaning toward “Tesla Vision” and “Tesla Glass” like the majority of Electrek readers.

Pushing the date further out might lead to missing the federal tax credit for new buyers as it will expire after the company sold 200,000 cars.

For now, the hardware will run in “shadow mode”, gathering information on when the technology may have caused or avoided accidents had it been in command of the vehicle.