Tesla touts 276000 early orders for electric car due in 2017

To mark their partnership Qantas Airlines and Tesla Motors came up with a stunt to promote sustainability and show off their love for speed.

The new Qantas ad, starring a Qantas Boeing 737-800 and a Tesla Model S P90D, looks like anything but a run-of-the-mill PR stunt.

Musk said deliveries for the vehicle will begin at the end of next year.

It said it is addressing all three issues "to ensure that these mistakes are not repeated with the Model 3 launch", which is scheduled in about 18 months.

Tesla did mention that this horizontal screen in the center is a "production intention", which basically means that the company is going to conduct tests to see just how feasible it is and if any changes or improvements need to be made.

And in a subsequent tweet added: "A Model 3 order gives you priority in your geography, so, even the total count is high, ordering early will make a big difference locally". Tesla prices its current models in several "tiers", depending on content and optional features.

The Palo Alto, California, company started taking orders early Thursday, shortly before Musk unveiled the auto in Los Angeles.

In February, the company said it expected to be cash-flow positive in March.

For now we have some tweets, some rumors, and of course, lingering questions as to when those who put a deposit down will receive their Model 3.

Tesla, established in 2003, had sold less than 110,000 vehicles in its history through December, Sanford C. Bernstein analysts noted. It also faces competition from General Motors, which is set to start selling the Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle at the end of this year with a similar price tag and a 200-mile range.

Another is BMW's i3, which is slated soon for an extensive makeover, as well as a redesigned version of the Nissan Leaf that's due late next year.

The orders boosted Tesla shares even though broader stock markets were slightly lower on Monday.

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Source: Tesla touts 276000 early orders for electric car due in 2017