Tesla Model 3 exceeds 130,000 preorders

[Guest Nicole]

As the new Tesla Model 3 electric car was unveiled last week, hundreds of people in Montreal lined up to make a $1,000 deposit to reserve one of the cars.

Montrealer Guillaume Tardif stood in line for three hours in the rain outside the Tesla dealership on 5350 Ferrier Street. Despite being caught in the bad weather, Tardif said it was worth the wait.

"We weren't prepared for this weather. We thought they would set up tents or something instead of making us freeze," he said.

'We're buying a dream'- Guillaume Tardif, Soon-to-be Tesla owner

"I worry if I wait too long that we won't get the government incentives. If this becomes a mass market car like they think it will, then the incentives are going to be pulled out. So if you save $8,000 by being here this morning it was worth it."

Details about the car were unveiled by Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk in Hawthorne, California on Thursday and more than 130,000 people have already put down payments on the vehicle.

The Tesla Model 3 electric car was unveiled in Hawthorne, California Thursday night. (Tesla Motors Canada)

The going price for a Tesla Model 3 starts at $35,000 US and Musk confirmed the new model will go at least 345 kilometres on a single charge.

The vehicles are expected to go into production in 2017 and buyers in Quebec are jumping at the chance to take advantage of the provincial rebate.

Quebec buyers are eligible for rebates between $6,000 and $8,000, while buyers in Ontario are eligible for up to $14,000.

Like many, Tardif put his deposit down site-unseen. He's not worried about what the final product will be like.

"We're the early adopters. Right now we're buying something, even on paper, we're buying a dream."

Others travelled from out of town to reserve their spot in line.

'This is the future'

Ian McKay drove down from Ottawa on Thursday to pay his deposit.

" partly because it's fun to do and partly because they are making them to order," McKay said. "So it makes a big difference getting a reservation, because otherwise you'll be waiting months and months while all the orders get processed before you can buy off the line."

McKay said he has faith in the company's product, considering their successes with the Model S and Model X. 

"They've proven that they can make a good car off the bat," he said.

Millie Amoros went by the dealership last November to test drive the Model S, before deciding to put the deposit down on the newest version.

"It drives amazing. If [the Model 3] is anything like what I drove it's a good deal," she said. "I do think this is the future."

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/tesla-model-3-quebec-rebate-1.3516325