Surprise 2: Super-Duper Chargers?
Tesla's network of Superchargers could also receive an upgrade. While Teslas are currently capable of charging more than twice as quickly as any competitor on the road, the company doesn't plan to sit on its lead. In December, Musk was asked on Twitter about plans to install solar panels at charging stations. His response:
There are some installed already, but full rollout really needs Supercharger V3 and Powerpack V2, plus SolarCity. Pieces now in place.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 24, 2016
The Slope of the Ramp
Earlier this month, Musk said production would ramp up slowly. After building 30 cars in July, he envisions building 100 cars in August—less than three a day. In September, that number increases to 1,500. By December, Musk plans to be building 20,000 cars a month. It's an aggressive schedule that will more than double Tesla's total production rate in six months, and then quintuple it by the end of next year. That being said, 130 cars in two months is a very cautious start that can hardly be described as mass production. Will Musk give any indication of how production has been going thus far and whether the early ramp might be accelerated? Tesla's roughly half-million reservation holders will want to know when they might expect their cars.
Surprise 3: An Updated Model S and X?
It will be important for Musk to distinguish his more profitable ultra-luxury cars from the comparatively sparse Model 3, and he seems to be doing it by adding features.
Tesla recently increased the zero-to-60 mph acceleration time of the Model S sedan and Model X SUV base models by more than a second, a remarkable boost for already fast cars. There was no fanfare and no explanation of how they were able to do it. The company also shuffled its lineup of battery options, slimmed down its options packages, and began offering a widely requested three-row configuration of the Model X with fold-flat seats. There could be more announcements in store.
Surprise 4: Gigafactories?
Tesla is preparing to announce locations for two to four massive new factories by the end of 2017. The announcement may not come until the deals are set. But given that this is likely the final vehicle to launch production at Tesla's flagship Fremont car factory, the setting would be right for a nod to the future.
A few more things we'll be looking out for:
• Speed: What's the zero-to-60 miles per hour time for the performance version of the Model 3 set to be released next year? Tesla's promotional materials have already shown the base model to clock in at 5.6 seconds.
• Safety: Musk says the Model 3 should be one of the safest cars ever tested. Will U.S. regulators agree?
• Configurations and pricing: Musk has said the average selling price will be about $42,000—what will that get you? What options will be available? When, and at what cost? We're still awaiting details on wheel and color options, Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving modes, dual-motor all-wheel drive, a glass roof, sunroof, and "ludicrous" speed.
• Accessibility: How functional will the car's storage be? How big is the opening to the rear trunk? Do the seats fold completely flat?
• Warranty details.
• Supercharger pricing.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.