Core Insights - Tesla's third-quarter deliveries exceeded Wall Street estimates, driven by a surge in US EV buyers seeking to secure tax credits before their expiration at the end of September [1][5] - Concerns about declining sales in upcoming quarters due to the end of the $7,500 federal tax credit have negatively impacted the company's stock [2][3] Delivery Performance - Tesla delivered 497,099 vehicles in the third quarter, marking a 7.4% increase from 462,890 vehicles in the same period last year [4][6] - The company delivered 481,166 units of the Model 3 and Model Y in the September quarter, surpassing Wall Street expectations [5] Market Challenges - European sales, including the UK, dropped by 22.5% year-over-year in August, reducing Tesla's market share to 1.5% [4] - The company anticipates a decline in fourth-quarter sales, consistent with trends observed in the first half of the year, primarily due to the expiration of the US tax credit [3] Future Projections - Full-year 2025 deliveries are projected to be around 1.61 million, approximately 10% lower than 2024, with a need to deliver 389,498 vehicles in the December quarter to meet this target [5][13] - The introduction of a lower-cost Model Y is delayed, which analysts believe is crucial for maintaining sales momentum post-tax credit [11][12] Strategic Focus - Tesla is positioning itself as a technology company, emphasizing AI-based self-driving systems and other innovations [9] - The company is exploring the launch of more affordable models to mitigate the impact of the anticipated sales slowdown [12]