Tesla Reports Record Car Sales

Tesla Model S (Credit: Tesla Motors)

Despite naysayers and states like West Virginia and Utah banning sales within their borders recently, Tesla Motors posted a new record for quarterly sales. During Q1 of 2015, the automaker said it sold 10,030 cars to consumers. That might not sound like a lot, but keep in mind that the Model S is far out of many shoppers’ means and is still considered by many to be a niche product.

It’s also amazing that Tesla has survived as long as it has. Since it was founded in 2003, many other fledgling automakers in the United States and abroad have launched, struggled and even collapsed completely (remember Fisker?).

When compared to sales from Q1 of 2014, the new number surpasses it by 55 percent. That’s a huge increase, and if it keeps up it would mean that Tesla would become a powerhouse in the industry within a few short years. Right now the automaker enjoys more of a darling position, but that doesn’t mean it one day won’t be a higher-volume player. With the launch of the Model 3, Tesla could turn a corner as it appeals to mainstream car buyers, and from there who knows what the limit will be?

Tesla Model S owners are notoriously fanatical about their cars, according to research conducted by Strategic Vision as part of its New Vehicle Experience Study. The electric car often lands at the top of satisfaction studies as owners rave about how it’s transformed their lives. People who are in the love with their vehicle will usually recommend it to others, which triggers even more sales.

Also important news is that Tesla Motors will start reporting its sales results within three days of the end of each quarter, just like everyone else. The decision was made because the automaker says people have been using “inaccurate” sources of information that make the company’s sales appear smaller than they actually are. Keep in mind that the reported figures aren’t finalized, so there could be a small discrepancy that Tesla says should come in at “well under 1 percent.”