Tesla sent out a new batch of invitations to configure the Model 3 this week, but it’s still only to current Tesla owners in the US.

Interestingly, even owners who have just recently placed a new reservation can get the invitation and configure the vehicle for a delivery in ‘about 4 weeks’ – just like some Model S or Model X vehicles.

We have received several reports from Tesla owners this week who hadn’t reserved the Model 3 over the last two years, but they decided to place a reservation this month and they already received an invite to configure.

Tesla has always stated that current owners of Model S, Model X, or Roadster vehicles have priority in the Model 3 reservation backlog, but the extent of the priority is greater than most people thought.

As we previously reported, we learned that if you have owned more than one Tesla vehicle, you get priority on more than one Model 3 reservation.

Now it sounds like the priority also extends to new reservations still being placed to this day.

Electrek’s Take

It really goes to show that Tesla wasn’t kidding when it said that current owners are first in line for the Model 3.

If anything, it should be a good indicator that Tesla is about to open configurations for non-owners soon since I can’t imagine that Tesla is getting new reservations from owners in the US at a high enough rate not to have to invite non-owners.

Unless Tesla decides to first bring new options to production, like the white interior or the dual motor all-wheel powertrain, which should result in more Tesla owners placing orders for the Model 3.

It’s not clear when the former is coming, though a new Model 3 with manufacturer plates and a white interior was recently spotted, but the latter is not expected until ‘mid-2018’.

The expansion in Canada is also not expected until ‘mid-2018’, which I think is a good sign that Tesla will have to open the configurator to non-owners soon if they want enough orders when they reach higher production rates.

I certainly hope they do since non-owners have been waiting just as long as everybody else and they also placed a $1,000 deposit just like everyone.

I understand that Tesla wanted to reward its early adopters, but the Model 3 is supposed to bring many new owners in the ‘Tesla family’ and they need to deliver them to non-owners to do that.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.