Tesla* has released quarter 2 delivery data for its single on-the-market model, the Model S. Previously, Tesla said that it expected to deliver 10,000 to 11,000 Model S electric sedans in quarter 2 (Q2), but it ended up delivering 11,507.
The 11,507 deliveries marked a record quarter for Tesla, and a 52% increase over Q2 2014.
Tesla has long stated that it is supply constrained, not demand constrained, so as it has been able to produce more and more cars, deliveries have naturally improved.
Nonetheless, Tesla added some cautious disclaimers:
There may be small changes to this delivery count (usually well under 1%), as Tesla only counts a delivery if it is transferred to the end customer and all paperwork is correct.
Also, this is only one measure of our financial performance and should not be relied on as an indicator of our quarterly financial results, which depend on a variety of factors, including the cost of sales, foreign exchange movements and mix of directly leased vehicles.
The stock market took the news well, though, with the stock price now closing in on its record high. Oddly, many investors have had trouble understanding Tesla’s persistent claims that it is production constrained, but perhaps the cynicism is letting up. Of course, news of 24,000 Model X reservations, factory preparation for Model X production, and the Gigafactory being ahead of schedule may also be boosting investor confidence. Who knows? The market is a mysterious creature, isn’t it?
*Full Disclosure: I am long TSLA (for obvious reasons).