Quarterly sales and production data issued by Tesla Motors shows that the premium electric car maker is continuing to ramp up deliveries and production as it adds more output of its Model X in its mix.
Tesla delivered approximately 24,500 vehicles in Q3, of which 15,800 were Model S and 8,700 were Model X. It said this was an increase of just over 70% from last quarter's deliveries of 14,402. Tesla also said its Q3 delivery count should be viewed as 'slightly conservative', as it only counts a car as 'delivered' if it is transferred to the customer and 'all paperwork is correct'.
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In addition to Q3 deliveries, about 5,500 vehicles were 'in transit' to customers at the end of the quarter and will not be counted as deliveries until Q4.
Tesla Production rose to 25,185 vehicles in Q3, an increase of 37% from Q2 production of 18,345.
The company said it expects Q4 deliveries and production to be at or slightly above Q3, despite Q4 being a shorter quarter.
Tesla added that its guidance of 50,000 vehicles delivered for the second half of 2016 is maintained.
The company is, however, losing money and Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk recently sent an e-mail to employees urging them to cut costs and deliver "every car we possibly can" in a push to show positive cash flow in the third quarter.
Musk said it would be his last chance to show improved financial numbers before another round of financing. The company is trying to acquire SolarCity and preparing for the higher volume Model 3, due for market launch late in 2017.
