Tesla lifts restriction on ending Model S/X leases early if you get a new car by the end of the quarter

With the end of the quarter approaching, Tesla is pulling on a new demand lever to help sell Model S and Model X vehicles.

Electrek has learned that the automaker has lifted its restriction on ending Model S and Model X leases early if the lessee gets a new car by the end of the quarter.

That’s something that Tesla generally refuses to do unless there were special circumstances, but sources familiar with Tesla’s sales told Electrek that the automaker lifted the restriction until the end of the quarter.

For example, someone with a Model S on the second year of a three-year lease could exchange the vehicle for a new one without penalty instead of having to complete the remaining payments.

The only condition is that the new Model S or Model X needs to be delivered by September 30, which means that it basically only applies to vehicles in inventory.

The move appears to aim at boosting Model S and Model X deliveries for the quarter by tempting Tesla’s current Model S and Model X lessees to upgrade to a new car.

Tesla operates an ‘Ownership Loyalty’ group within its sales organization with the goal of selling cars to existing customers.

The automaker enjoys the best customer satisfaction in the auto industry, which often makes its own current customers good potential buyers.

The ‘Ownership Loyalty’ program has now started offering those customers this new opportunity to lease or buy new inventory of Model S and Model X vehicles.

Electrek’s Take

Every now and again, Tesla has to pull these kinds of demand levers on Model S and Model X at the end of the quarter.

It appears that the company might have too much new inventory of these vehicles and it plans to sell them faster by enticing people with leases to upgrade.

This new offer could be particularly attractive for Tesla lessees who want the latest features and still want to have access to unlimited Supercharging.

There are many Model S and Model X vehicles with first gen Autopilot on the second or third year of three-year leases, and the lessees might want the new Autopilot. This could especially be the case with the promised updates coming soon, and it could be last opportunity for many to get the car with unlimited Supercharger since Tesla appears to be ending the offer through its referral program in two weeks.

The downside for Tesla is that it could result in an important influx of used Model S and Model X vehicles, but it is my understanding that those vehicles sell very well.

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