Earlier quoted context omitted.
Also: "In addition to our Long Range and Performance variants, we’re also re-introducing a lower entry price for Model S and Model X by bringing back our Standard Range option, now available for an even greater value with the new drivetrain and suspension updates." They just can't leave their pricing structure alone. How does Tesla management not appreciate how unnecessarily confusing this is for consumers?
Consumers don’t care what yesterday’s prices or options were, prior to a purchase anyways. They care what today’s price is, what rebates are available, and what financing options are available for it.
Even if you're fixated on getting a Tesla, not many people have enough cash on hand to buy a Tesla straight out of their checking account. Nonliquid assets often take a while to turn into cash for large purchases. Every time Tesla raises prices or cuts low-cost products, they cause resentment among people in the process of buying their car. Every time Tesla lowers prices or substantially enhances their existing products, they cause resentment among people who have just recently bought their car. You never know when Tesla is going to announce a shakeup to their product line and make a fool out of anyone who bought their car the month before. It's sort of a corollary Osborne effect. I think the continuous delivery model for hardware enhancement is just asking for trouble. A "model year" approach with fixed hardware costs through the year and continuous software updates would make more sense.