In a statement, Tesla said new orders had exceeded deliveries in the second quarter, adding that the company was “well positioned” to increase production and deliveries in the third quarter.

Yet even with the solid showing, Tesla may be hard pressed to reach its goal of selling 360,000 to 400,000 cars this year. That is because the company has delivered just over 158,000 in the first six months.

Perhaps more worrying is that Tesla cut prices several times to stimulate sales, moves likely to hurt its bottom line.

“When you cut prices to hit sales targets, you don’t show that you are on the path to sustained profits,” said Erik Gordon, a business professor at the University of Michigan. “You could be on the path to long-term losses.”

Keeping sales on the rise may be a challenge in the second half of the year. As of Monday, the federal tax credit available to Tesla’s customers fell by half, to $1,875, effectively raising the cost of its cars.

The first-quarter deliveries declined from 90,700 in the final quarter of 2018 after the credit was reduced to $3,750 from $7,500. The tax credit will be eliminated at the start of next year.

“Tesla watchers and investors should think less about numbers for the next few quarters,” Mr. Gordon said, “and more about how the company will compete when established car companies with dealer networks, global manufacturing and ample capital invade the market.”