I’m guessing it’s an older style battery that they’re trying to phase out, but I’d also assume that it’s to drive more buyers to the Model 3 for near-term production targets and/or greater margins at the top of that line. The cheapest Model S and X will now be $94k and $97k, respectively. The 75D could be had for $76k. Eighteen thousand dollars is quite a lot for a 27% larger “gas tank”. The optioned out Model 3 is $70.5k, while the base, no option (vaporware?) one is $44k. That’s 20 grand plus between the top of the line 3 and the cheapest S - a lot of real estate to give up in the luxury car market. The Model Y will surely slot in there nicely; I wonder if a 2nd gen Model S is coming soon, as well.
