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Tesla struggled to produce its cheapest model shortly after the car debuted, setting back chief executive officer Elon Musk\u2019s mission to reach mainstream consumers.<\/p>\n
The automaker built only 260 Model 3s during the quarter ended in September, less than a fifth of its 1,500-unit forecast.<\/p>\n
Output of the sedan that starts at $35,000 – roughly half the cost of the least expensive Model S – was lower than expected because of unspecified \u201cbottlenecks,\u201d according to the company.<\/p>\n
Musk has engendered enthusiasm about the future of electric cars and has automakers including Volkswagen AG, General Motors and Daimler AG lining up to compete.<\/p>\n
But what Tesla hasn\u2019t done is prove itself as a mass manufacturer. The slow start for Model 3, which was designed for easier assembly, reignites concern that the company will struggle to reach the lofty production targets set by its CEO.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would be surprised if anyone was surprised that they came up short,\u201d said Sam Korus, an analyst at Ark Investment Management in New York, which holds Tesla shares.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Musk gives a prediction, you know it\u2019s an extraordinarily ambitious goal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tesla shares fell 1.5% to $336.40 as of 7:04 p.m. in New York, after the close of regular trading. The stock has climbed 60% this year.<\/p>\n
Tesla produced 25,336 vehicles in the third quarter, down slightly from the three months ended in June.<\/p>\n
Musk warned after handing over the keys to the first Model 3 owners in July that it would be \u201chell\u201d ramping up output of the car, which racked up almost half a million reservations as of early August.<\/p>\n
While Model 3 results were disappointing, sales of the Model S sedan and Model X sport utility vehicle climbed to a quarterly record.<\/p>\n
Deliveries in the second half of the year will exceed the first half by several thousand vehicles, according to the Palo Alto, California-based company.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re likely three or four weeks behind on the Model 3 ramp,\u201d Ben Kallo, an analyst at Robert W. Baird & Co, said by phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cBears will make this an issue, but this was a very good quarter for Model S and X demand and deliveries.\u201d<\/p>\n
Musk has said that production of the Model 3 will grow exponentially and had tweeted Tesla would make roughly 100 of the cars in August and more than 1,500 in September.<\/p>\n
He projected the company would be able to build the sedan at a rate of 20,000 units per month by December.<\/p>\n
\u201cElon\u2019s never made a number, ever,\u201d said Ross Gerber, chief executive officer of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management, which holds Tesla shares.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing up short is what we expect of him.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Tesla reported about 4,820 Model S and Model X were in transit to customers at the end of the quarter, it didn\u2019t give a figure for the Model 3.<\/p>\n
In its statement, Tesla said there were no fundamental issues with the car or its supply chain and expressed confidence in fixing its issues.<\/p>\n
Gerber said he\u2019s not worried and has faith in Musk, who also runs Space Exploration Technologies Corp. \u201cThis guy has figured out how to land a rocket on a ship,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever it is, he\u2019ll get it sorted out.\u201d<\/p>\n