Hundreds Line Up To Reserve Tesla's Affordable Model 3
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (WCCO) – On Thursday night, the world will get its first look at the highly anticipated Tesla Model 3.
Before the company unveils its more affordable version of the electric vehicle, customers are getting the chance to reserve the car.
Hundreds lined up early Thursday at the Tesla dealership in Eden Prairie. A similar scene played out across the country.
By 11:00 a.m., Twin Cities customers were waiting in line for nearly three hours to reserve their Model 3.
"I don't think two hours is long to wait to be early in on something brand new and fun and fantastic for us," said Maureen Reeder, who was in line.
Most didn't mind the cold and rain because, they felt, the chance to buy Tesla's new car was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
"It's no gas, we're using local energy instead of importing energy," said Mark Hanson, who is already a Tesla owner. "The grid gets cleaner, the car gets cleaner. There's no downside to it for us."
With price tags starting around $70,000, Tesla's electric vehicles have never been available to the masses. Yet, the Model 3 has all the features that make Tesla appealing but with a price tag in the $30,000 range.
"It's the economy model of Tesla, it's priced in a range people can afford," said Richard Seng, who waited in line.
For $1,000, customers could reserve the vehicle. Most acknowledged that putting money down without knowing what it looks like is a unique situation. However, Tesla promised a refund if customers didn't like the vehicle.
"Tesla Model 3 is 20 percent smaller and has a 200 mile range," Hanson said. "That's the only thing we know about it."
The longest wait is still ahead. The vehicle won't roll off the production line until 2018.
"It's going to be fun to finally get one of them," said Tim Flodin, who reserved a Model 3.
The live unveil of the Model 3 can be seen at 8:30 p.m. pacific time here.