It looks like the days of unsustainable production bursts are over for Tesla, as the automaker is starting the fourth quarter strong with production of over 11,500 vehicles, including more than 7,000 Model 3s.

Last quarter, we closely tracked Tesla’s production on what turned out to be the company’s biggest quarter ever with just over 80,000 vehicles produced, including over 53,000 Model 3s.

As usual, Tesla finished the quarter strong, but the last week was especially strong with 5,300 Model 3s — a new record for the automaker.

Everyone was asking if Tesla was able to maintain the high production rate after the end of the quarter, and it looks like the answer is mostly yes.

A reliable source familiar with Tesla’s production told Electrek that the automaker produced about 11,500 cars (Model S, Model X, and Model 3), including about 7,400 Model 3s, so far this quarter as of earlier today.

It means that Tesla managed to maintain a Model 3 production approaching 5,000 units per week despite an anticipated early quarter slowdown.

Tesla has yet to issue production and delivery guidance for the fourth quarter, but it has said that it plans to improve Model 3 production throughout the quarter, and therefore, we would expect at least a modest ramp up.

We should have a better idea of Tesla’s expectations with the third quarter earnings being released next month.

Electrek’s Take

I think those numbers are good, especially for the first ~two weeks of a quarter.

There’s no doubt that Tesla is still significantly behind its goal of 6,000 units per week by the end of August, but I feel like Tesla has abandoned that goal as they focus on the profitability of production instead of the ramp up.

Nonetheless, the company needs to increase Model 3 production during the quarter, and we are going to keep an eye out on the progress in the coming weeks.

With the promise of the upcoming base version and the international expansion next quarter, I’d like to see Tesla hit 7,000-8,000 units per week by the end of the quarter.

Though it represents a significant increase over a short period of time, I think it will be needed to support Tesla’s plans.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.

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