Tesla to give Model 3 test drives to investors in New York this weekend

Only a small fraction of the almost 500,000 people who placed reservations for Tesla’s Model 3 had the chance to drive or even just ride in the new electric car.

But now it looks like another group of people will have the opportunity to drive it: investors.

It’s not the first time that Tesla has used the Model 3 to wow investors. Right after the special handover event this summer, Tesla brought a Model 3 for investors to see in New York in order to sell its new bonds.

It was one of the first times that a Model 3 was on the east coast – though Tesla has since started delivering the vehicle to employees in New York.

Now, for the event this weekend, Tesla reportedly invited institutional investors to take a joy ride in the Model 3. CNBC reported:

“An invitation, which was viewed by CNBC, was sent to clients and prospective clients of UBS. It says drivers at the closed-door event will be accompanied by Tesla representatives and barred from taking photos or videos.”

It will take place at Tesla’s beautiful Red Hook store and service center in Brooklyn on Saturday. If you are in the area, maybe you will be able to catch a glimpse of the Model 3.

Electrek’s Take

Tesla first guided that it would make a fleet of Model 3’s available for test drive events for reservation holders during the third quarter 2017. That plan was apparently scratched due to the production constraints that have delayed the start of regular customer deliveries from “late October” to now “by the end of the year.”

Regardless, it’s kind of a bummer that institutional investors get the opportunity to drive the Model 3 before most early reservation holders who have been waiting over a year for the opportunity.

Though it’s easy to understand where they are coming from. Tesla’s stock took a hit following its record loss during the third quarter and it finally fell down from its record high of September.

Since the few people who have driven the Model 3 so far have been fairly impressed, myself included, it’s not surprising that Tesla would use the vehicle to build confidence among the big money people on Wall Street.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.