Tesla Looks to Boost Model Y Sales with Threats of Nearing Price Increases

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

The Tesla Model Y is a wildly popular EV on the global stage, but the automaker is still looking for ways to boost sales and keep it relevant. As we approach the end of the first quarter of 2024, Tesla is pushing the Model Y with a message that prices will increase on April 1 in hopes that the threat of higher purchase price s will drive buyers to act in the next two weeks.


Without a dealer network to act as a financial buffer between it and buyers, Tesla’s numbers look worse the more vehicles it has sitting in inventory. That has led the company to offer various promotions and discounts in the past, either through price cuts or the offer of free charging with a vehicle purchase. While this move isn’t a discount, it could incentivize buyers to purchase before the end of the quarter and make Tesla’s books look healthier to start the year.


These moves are not at all surprising for Tesla, but the company is in an interesting position. It does virtually zero marketing and does not have a communications department to field journalists’ inquiries. At the same time, its business model allows it to pivot quickly and offer incentives to boost sales when needed.


While boosting quarter-end sales is a good idea for Tesla, the discounts are regular enough now that it starts to look silly to buy one at any other time of the year. If you’re almost guaranteed to get a discount, there’s no reason to shop until Tesla cranks up the incentives. Even so, the company will likely remain in its dominant position atop the EV market in the U.S. for the foreseeable future, as other automakers are grappling with shifting demand for electric models and rising costs.


[Image: Tesla]


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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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  • El scotto El scotto on Mar 18, 2024

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  • MKizzy Looking at the high-nosed Equinox and its assumed huge front blind spots, I see why Mayor Pete wants to mandate improved AEB on all vehicles.In addition, GM's lack of commitment to its ICE powertrains is on full display with its continued use of its class-trailing 1.xT engines. The new Equinox may be all show/no go, but at least after a decade of shoving its 1.5T into the Equinox and Malibu, you'd think GM would've at least made it top flight reliable by now.
  • Daniel China can absolutely make quality products when contracted at the right prices or their car companies trying to compete. However, I doubt any of their nearly 100 EV companies would even want to try to break into the US market with a 25% tariff (Polestar pays this) and the huge service and support network needed other than *maaaaybe* BYD eventually and only then if they end up using their upcoming plant in Mexico for not just Latin America, but decide to try the US market without the tariffs. They def would need to have excellent quality and support to be taken seriously, we'll see!
  • VoGhost I know one commenter who would love to live in Kia towers.
  • VoGhost Matt, do us all a favor, will you? Since you love the term 'EV mandate' so much, could you please point to a single country or state that has mandated that consumers buy an EV? At any point in time - historical or the future. Just one, Matt. Just a single place where the term 'EV mandate' is even close to being true.
  • VoGhost Just so we all have this correct, you're saying that the red states that refuse to educate their children or fund healthcare for their citizens also want them to die earlier from fossil fuel pollution? OK. I see. Makes the decision in November a little more stark.
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