Line forms for new, unseen Tesla model

People camp out in Eatonville ahead of big reveal

EATONVILLE, Fla. – There were more people than cars inside the Tesla dealership Thursday morning, hours before the company planned to reveal its Model 3.

The long line wrapped around the parking lot, with people waiting for their chance to reserve one of the new cars by putting down a $1,000 deposit.

Tesla has not revealed any details about what the Model 3 will look like or how much it will cost, but many of the people in line said they have high hopes it will be similar to previous Tesla models.

"It's a unicorn car, because you're buying it based on speculation. You've never seen a unicorn, (and) you've never seen this car," said Zack Stottlemyer, who was near the front of the line.

Many people in line said they hope the new model will be priced around $30,000.

Lester Housel said he's done a test drive with the Model S, but the prospect of a lower price is what drew him back.

"More affordable, and it'll do for my wife and I. (It) won't hold all the great grandchildren, though," Housel said.

James Efstathiou started camping out in front of the dealership on Wednesday around 3:30 p.m. He told News 6 that the sleep loss is worth what he believes he'll save as one of the first buyers.

"For the first 200,000 cars that Tesla produces, if you're one of those, or within the first two quarters after that, you get $7,500 off the price of the vehicle, so that gets it down to $27,000 or $28,000," Efstathiou said.

Tesla announced the reservation process online, saying the Model 3 production is scheduled to begin in late 2017. The Model 3 announcement will happen at 11:30 p.m. Thursday.

Elon Musk tweeted about the lines Thursday, saying, "Incredibly inspired by the interest in Model 3. You won't be disappointed. Also, small token of appreciation coming for all those who lined up."
 


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