Why Are “Thousands” of Teslas Sitting In a Field in California?

“There’s so much inventory here, it’s crazy.”

When Tesla finally met its Model 3 production run rate target, astute investors and analysts pointed out the use of the word “factory gated” in the company’s press release: “Not only did we factory gate 5000 Model 3’s, but we also achieved the S & X production target for a combined 7000 vehicle week!” Musk wrote in an email to his staff that week.

It was a term that Tesla hadn’t used before.

Now, thanks to a couple of sleuths on Twitter, we may have just found out what the term means. Twitter Tesla sleuth @ISpyTSLA, with the help of others, has been trying to figure out exactly where all these vehicles are winding up. @ISpyTSLA found that it appears that “thousands” of vehicles are being stored “in a field” 500 E Louise Ave, Lathrop, CA 95330.

We found the cars.

Amazing Twitter sluething.

They are sitting on a field in Lathrop, CA

Photos/Livestream from @IspyTsla to follow.$tsla

— Value Dissenter (@ValueDissenter) July 19, 2018

Thousands of $tsla Model 3s are at this address:

500 E Louise Ave, Lathrop, CA 95330

— Value Dissenter (@ValueDissenter) July 19, 2018

A google map visual of the address:

According to public records, the property was also available for lease just 6 months ago, suggesting that Tesla leased it recently. Why?

Perhaps as a place to temporarily dump cars that should be ‘off the books’ or as some said,’ “There’s so much inventory here, it’s crazy.”

There is so much inventory here it’s crazy

— IspyTSLA (@IspyTsla) July 19, 2018

It’s like a sea of Model Ss, 3s & Xs.
Cars are coming in but not coming out?

— IspyTSLA (@IspyTsla) July 19, 2018

The accompanying video appears to show “thousands” of Tesla vehicles just rusting in the open air under the scorching California sun.

https://t.co/QkYgxiomYF

— IspyTSLA (@IspyTsla) July 19, 2018

Additional video shows the Twitter users initial approach to the property, which appears to have a gate with a warning sign that the premises are being video monitored.

https://t.co/AhZJJpFpj0

— IspyTSLA (@IspyTsla) July 19, 2018

The Twitter user notes that trucks seem to be bringing cars in, but not out. Follow up Tweets noted  that “there’s no real activity in the inventory lot” before noting that “some cars are coming out”.

Well some cars are coming out pic.twitter.com/0YrrQDeBNq

— IspyTSLA (@IspyTsla) July 19, 2018

Meanwhile, as another Twitter user noted, another just as vast pile of Model 3s can be found near the Burbank Hollywood Airport.

pic.twitter.com/pcnv5eXPIa

— Trapper John M.D. (@grierhiggins) July 19, 2018

The reaction from Twitter was underwhelming.

Great News Lemmings! All of our 5K Burst week cars are sitting in a scrap heap. This is GREAT news, we are going to make submarines out of them. Elon $TSLA

— William B. Smith (@blainefundlp) July 19, 2018

A parking lot of $tsla garbage.
Great work here and sleuthing.$tslaq https://t.co/K8OpfFttUv

— Tito ‘Elon Holmes’ El Bandito (@TitoElBandito) July 19, 2018

$TSLA is hiding Model 3s in an industrial which is apparently somewhere in CA. Why not deliver them? Demand issues? https://t.co/H9lCePgOSG

— Salt_Nole (@Salt_Nole) July 19, 2018

But why stash the cars there? Is it to optimize net working capital and give investors – and auditors – the impression of more liquidity than is actually available?

Surely this will, or should, be one of the “boring” questions asked on the company’s conference, if PricewaterhouseCoopers doesn’t ask first. 

Meanwhile, Tesla already had to fend off a downgrade from Needham this morning, who warned that Model 3 refunds were moving faster than deposits, something we documented here over a month ago.

“Based on our checks, refunds are outpacing deposits as cancellations accelerate,” wrote analyst Rajvindra Gill in the note Thursday. “The reasons are varied: extended wait times, the expiration of the $7,500 credit, and unavailability of the $35k base model.”

“In August ’17, TSLA cited a refund rate of 12%. Almost a year later, we believe it has doubled and outpaced deposits. Model 3 wait times are currently 4-12 months and with base model not available until mid-2019, consumers could wait until 2020,” Gill added.

This morning Tesla refuted this, however, with the discovery of this new lot Tesla’s PR spin job for today may only be getting started.