Tesla Inc. unveiled its third-quarter delivery figures on Thursday, reporting a striking surge that easily topped analyst expectations. The electric vehicle giant delivered over 500,000 vehicles worldwide in the period ending September 2025, marking yet another quarterly record amid a frantic rush from buyers eyeing the soon-to-expire federal tax credit. Indeed, this boost comes as the $7,500 incentive for U.S. EV purchases phases out at year's end, prompting consumers to accelerate their decisions before the perk vanishes.
However, the news wasn't all smooth sailing for investors. Tesla's shares dipped more than 2% in after-hours trading following the announcement, reflecting lingering worries about demand sustainability once the tax break is gone. Production numbers also climbed, reaching around 480,000 units, but the gap between output and deliveries narrowed slightly, hinting at potential inventory buildup in key markets like China and Europe. Moreover, whispers in the industry suggest softening EV appetite globally, with competitors like Ford and GM reporting their own sluggish sales.
Looking back, Tesla's stock has ridden a volatile wave this year, climbing from lows near $200 in early 2025 to highs above $350 by mid-year, driven by hype around autonomous driving tech and energy storage growth. Yet, recent months brought pullbacks, tied to broader economic jitters and regulatory hurdles for full self-driving features. The delivery beat, while impressive, underscores a reliance on short-term incentives rather than organic demand, a point critics have hammered home for quarters now.
Still, optimists point to Tesla's expanding lineup, including the Cybertruck ramp-up and upcoming affordable models, as buffers against any post-credit slump. The company's cash reserves remain robust, fueling bets on long-term dominance in the green energy shift. But as the dust settles on this record quarter, one can't help but wonder if the real test lies ahead in a world without those generous subsidies.