Part 4/11:
Furthermore, a premature launch risks creating a weak Q4. With consumers already having bought or committed to vehicles before the tax credit's expiration, the market could experience a sudden drop in demand afterward, leading to an artificially depressed quarter.
The Strategic Delay Hypothesis
Therefore, Tesla's decision to delay the launch of its affordable Model Y beyond July is likely a calculated strategy, not an oversight. Instead of launching during a period of artificially inflated demand, Tesla might be intentionally postponing to early October, once the demand from the tax credit pull-forward has subsided.
This timing would allow Tesla to:
- Capture a more stable and sustained demand base rather than a transient surge.