Tesla Model 3 Deliveries Drop In June - Toyota Prius Prime Has Outsold Model 3 Since Its Arrival

Despite announcements from Tesla about "Milestones" of its Model 3 production, the company delivered less Model 3 cars to customers in June than it did in May. This according to Inside EVs, the EV-advocacy publication that tracks EV sales and deliveries by VIN numbers and state data on vehicle registration.

Tesla's announcements on the Model 3 focus on short-term production rates and seem to misinform the public and investors about the company's actual delivery rates. Musk highlights any positive news about the horrendous state of affairs of its Model 3 launch which building cars literally inside of a tent erected in its parking lot. Because the high-tech factory isn't working.

Announcements in June by Tesla that it had exceeded a rate of 5,000 Model 3's in a week would seem to indicate that the company would be delivering more cars to customers. In May, Tesla delivered 6,250 Model 3 cars to customers according to Inside EVs. Tesla does not announce its monthly sales like almost all other automakers. Rather, it waits until it is forced by SEC rules to disclose its sales. Given that Tesla delivered over 6,000 Model 3s in May, and given that Tesla was announcing new "milestones" and other breakthroughs in production, one would assume that June's sales would be greater. Inside EVs says no. Just 6,062 Model 3 cars were delivered. Less than the prior month. And roughly a quarter of the volume Musk promised would be delivered each month when the Model 3 launched 11 months ago.

By contrast, the top affordable EV in America, the Toyota Prius Prime continues to chug along each month at the top of its segment. With sales of 2,237 units, the Prius has outsold the Chevy Bolt by 2 to 1 for the second straight month. More interestingly, and completely forgotten by the media, the Toyota Prius prime has outsold the Model 3 since the Model 3 was introduced. By about a thousand cars.