The Tesla Model 3 became the company’s first mass-market vehicle when customer deliveries began in 2017.
Tesla delivered the first Model 3 cars to customers on July 28, 2017. The vehicle was designed to cost less than Tesla’s earlier Model S and Model X, making electric driving accessible to a broader market.
The Model S, introduced earlier, established Tesla as a producer of long-range premium electric cars. The Model X added a premium sport utility vehicle, while the Model Y later became a compact crossover based on related engineering.
The Model 3’s launch was accompanied by unusually large reservation demand and a difficult production ramp. “Mass-market” describes the vehicle’s intended price and audience; it does not mean every Model 3 was sold at the same price worldwide.