Tesla production hits all time high

Tesla has said it produced a record number of vehicles in the most recent quarter, beating back doubts about the firm’s ability to boost manufacturing.

The electric carmaker said it made more than 80,000 vehicles, including more than 53,000 of the Model 3 – roughly in line with forecasts.

The disclosure came at a turbulent time at the company.

On Saturday, chief executive Elon Musk settled fraud charges brought by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

The agreement, which resolved questions about claims he made regarding potential plans to take the firm private, required him to step down as chairman of the firm’s board.

The episode had increased scrutiny of the California-based company, which has struggled over the last year to boost output of its newest model.

The lag has exacerbated a cash crunch as expenses rise and deadlines for debt payments approach.

This spring it revamped its manufacturing process, scaling back some of its automated features, a move which Mr Musk has has told investors was helping.

The firm hit a major milestone in June, producing 5,000 Model 3 sedans in a week.

The figures released on Tuesday suggest the firm has roughly maintained that pace for the Model 3s, its newest and least expensive model.

However, its overall average production rate, including other makes, is still short of the 7,000 cars a week that Mr Musk told investors in July would make the firm “sustainably profitable”.

The firm also appears to be struggling to get the cars into the hands of customers, a challenge Mr Musk has admitted to in the past.

Tesla said it delivered 83,500 vehicles in the quarter – 80% more than its total in 2017.

“With production stabilised, delivery and outbound vehicle logistics were our main challenges during Q3,” the company said on Tuesday.

China warning

Tesla also warned that tariffs in China were causing challenges, underscoring an issue it raised last quarter.

China has raised import duties on US-made cars as part of the broader trade fight with the US.

Tesla said the costs that go into its cars are roughly 55%-60% more than for local firms, when tariffs and ocean transport costs are take into account.

It plans to speed up plans for its new factory in China – but the firm said earlier that bringing that plant online would take several years.

“This makes for a challenging competitive environment, given that China is by far the largest market for electric vehicles,” it said.