Tesla registers record number of Model 3 VINs – preparing for massive batch of Dual Motor production

It looks like Tesla is preparing to focus Model 3 production on the new Dual Motor and Performance versions of the vehicle as the automaker registers a record number of new Model 3 VINs with NHTSA.

As we previously discussed on several occasions, looking at the total of vehicle identification numbers (VINs) is not a great way to track a production ramp-up at Tesla. This is because previous production programs have shown that the automaker skips some numbers.

But if the rate at which Tesla is registering new Model 3 VINs is accelerating, that’s a pretty good indication that production is also increasing.

Furthermore, we can know what kind of Model 3 Tesla plans to make using the Model 3 VIN decoder.

Over the past 2 days, Tesla registered two massive batches of Model 3 VINs and they are estimated to all have dual motors:

Correction: This batch (78580-81204) is ~100% dual motor, not ~88% as previously estimated. It appears that 12% of the VINs were skipped (invalid response for dual motor AND single motor), however, they have since been updated by Tesla.

— Model 3 VINs (@Model3VINs) August 5, 2018

#Tesla registered 7,903 new #Model3 VINs. ~100% estimated to be dual motor. Highest VIN is 89107. https://t.co/OZqpp8nPjs

— Model 3 VINs (@Model3VINs) August 5, 2018

It adds up to over 10,000 new Model 3 VINs being registered in just a few days.

The new batch is going to be a welcomed change for people with a Model 3 on order since Tesla was only registering a few dozens or hundreds of new VINs per day over the past few weeks.

That said, it appeared that the company had already accumulated a backlog of VINs to use as it aims to increase production to 6,000 units per week by the end of the month.

Tesla is also clearly shifting its focus on dual motor Model 3 vehicles, which the company confirmed last week now represent the majority of new orders for the Model 3.

The version of the Model 3 used to have a shorter delivery delay, but Tesla pushed back all delivery windows for new orders on all versions of the cars to 2-4 months last month.

Over the quarter, Tesla plans to produce 50,000 to 55,000 Model 3 vehicles and it now looks like many of them will have dual motors, which should help to automaker achieve its goal of profitability since the more expensive version of the Model 3 is believed to have a higher gross margin.

Electrek’s Take

Those huge batches of dual motor VINs are giving me hope that mine is going to be slated for production soon.

I am now 5 weeks into my order and I still don’t have a VIN. I have inquired about the status without response. I don’t know if it’s the fact that it’s a Canadian order that it is slowing down the process.

To my knowledge, Tesla still hasn’t given any VIN for Canadians ordering Model 3 Performance vehicles. Please correct me in the comment section below if I’m wrong.

The other thing could be the Obsidian black color option. I haven’t heard of the color going into production yet, Canadian order or not.

If you guys have an Obsidian black Model 3 on order and it has been progressing, let me know. I really can’t wait to put that car to the test.