Key Highlights
- Tesla shares declined roughly 1% on Tuesday, hovering around the $354 mark
- Analysts anticipate Q3 deliveries near 463,000 vehicles, representing a 7% decline year-over-year
- JPMorgan reduced its third-quarter forecast to 482,000 vehicles, citing challenges in Chinese and American markets
- Chinese wholesale figures increased 19% annually, though domestic retail numbers dropped 21%
- The automaker postponed its Roadster unveiling by two weeks to October 15, blaming weather concerns
Shares of Tesla (TSLA) declined roughly 1% during Tuesday’s trading session, hovering around the $354 level. The downward movement occurs as market participants await the electric vehicle manufacturer’s third-quarter delivery figures, anticipated to arrive within days.
Current analyst consensus suggests Tesla will report approximately 463,000 vehicle deliveries for Q3. Such a result would represent a 7% year-over-year decline from the 497,000 units delivered during the same period last year.
The previous year’s third-quarter performance benefited from the availability of the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax incentive, which remained in effect then. Without this subsidy now, year-over-year comparisons face headwinds.
Despite these challenges, Tesla has managed to counterbalance some negative effects. The automaker has captured additional market share within America’s electric vehicle sector throughout this year.
Sales performance in European markets has also strengthened. The Shanghai Gigafactory has increased vehicle exports to international destinations, providing some relief from domestic pressures.
Geographic Sales Performance
JPMorgan’s analyst Rajat Gupta provided regional analysis in a client communication released this week. Overall European Union registrations tracked approximately 9% lower on a year-over-year basis.
Markets in France and Germany demonstrated resilience, though performance in the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain weighed down aggregate results. The European landscape presents a varied picture.
The Chinese market presented contrasting dynamics. Combined wholesale volumes for July and August, encompassing exports, climbed 19% year-over-year.
Chinese export activity surged 92% annually during this timeframe. Meanwhile, domestic Chinese retail sales declined an estimated 21% across the identical period.
JPMorgan adjusted its Q3 delivery projection downward to 482,000 vehicles. The investment bank attributed this revision to weakness observed in both American and Chinese markets.
Tesla’s supervised Full Self-Driving software represents a positive factor. The company disclosed that FSD subscription numbers reached 1.48 million by second-quarter end, marking a 56% increase from the prior year.
The majority of these subscribers presumably reside in the United States. Favorable reception of the software technology may have provided support for American sales throughout the quarter.
Roadster Unveiling Rescheduled
Tesla’s quarterly delivery announcement is anticipated on Friday. This report follows closely after the company’s decision to postpone its highly anticipated Roadster unveiling.
The presentation was initially scheduled for Thursday, October 1. On Monday, Tesla announced the event would be rescheduled to October 15.
“We’ve been tracking the weather closely with local meteorologists, but given the severe conditions predicted and because this event can only be held outdoors, we’ve made the difficult decision to reschedule,” the company stated in an X platform post.
The announcement’s timing surprised many observers. Speculation exists that Tesla may require additional preparation time for the vehicle.
The Information previously reported the unveiling might showcase a special edition Roadster equipped with cold-gas thruster technology developed with SpaceX. This variant allegedly possesses hovering capabilities or even brief flight potential.
An outdoor location would be logical for such a demonstration. Tesla’s stated reasoning regarding weather conditions aligns with these earlier reports.
Tesla initially introduced the next-generation Roadster concept in 2017. Early reservation holders paid deposits with original delivery expectations set for 2020.
These initial customers have already experienced delays extending several years beyond initial promises. The revised October 15 date extends their wait by an additional two weeks.





