The Tesla Model 3 is a four-door sedan unveiled on March 31, 2016. And in less than 24 hours after it was unveiled, more than 100,000 people had made a refundable deposit of $1,000 to reserve a spot for themselves. This initial rush continued to increase, and within a few days, hundreds of thousands of buyers waited in line just to be able to partake in this early purchase. Since its release in 2017, the Tesla Model 3 has become a massive success, and in June 2021, it became the first electric car in the world to have sold more than 1 million units! Looking back at these impressive records, one would wonder how Tesla managed to achieve this enormous success. So, what makes the Tesla Model 3 so significant? From the start, Elon Musk wanted to create a car that was affordable for the mass market. While Tesla had already created the Tesla Roadster, a sports car, the Model S, a luxury sedan, and the Model X, which is a mid-size luxury SUV, these were all expensive. So Tesla began developing the Model 3, codenamed “BlueStar.” The designer of the sedan said that the Model 3 would be an Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class type of vehicle that will offer everything: range, affordability, and performance that is targeted towards the mass market. The Model 3 is smaller than the Model S but still has space for 5 people. The minimalistic interior comes with a 15.4-inch display that can be used for navigation but also entertainment, gaming, and music. Not only is the Model 3 beautifully designed, but it is also very efficient. It has a drag coefficient, which is used to measure aerodynamics, of only 0.23. That was even lower than the Model S with a drag coefficient of 0.24, which, in 2014, was the lowest among production cars at the time. This increases the performance and range, which over the years have been improved significantly. At the time of making this video, the Tesla Model 3 is available in 3 versions. The first is the standard version available for $44,990, which is much more affordable than the Model S with a base price that is more than double the price of the Model 3. It also has a range of 267 miles and can reach a top speed of 140 miles per hour. Like the name suggests, the Long Range can go very far on a single charge. In fact, it can reach an impressive range of 334 miles. Even though this range is very impressive, owners of the Model 3 occasionally have to recharge while on trips. To do this, Tesla built over 25,000 Superchargers across many locations. According to Tesla, it takes only 15 minutes at any of its Supercharger locations to recharge up to 200 miles, and it is also less expensive than gasoline. And finally, there is the Performance. It can reach a top speed of 162 miles per hour while still having a range of 315 miles. But far more impressive is the acceleration time. It can reach 60 miles per hour in 3.1 seconds! That is almost as quick as the Lamborghini Aventador. Another reason why the Model 3 is so significant is the advanced technology. It uses the same technology as the Model S, which includes Autopilot that enables the car to steer, accelerate and brake automatically within its lane, Autopark for easy parking, Summon to automatically retrieve the car, and Auto Lane Change to automatically change lanes while driving on the highway. In the future, it will also include Full Self-Driving, allowing the car to completely drive by itself. But that’s not all. The Model 3 is also a very safe car… In fact, it is one of the safest cars in the world and received a 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for every category. The Model 3 is built with ultra-high strength steel that increases safety in case of a collision. It also has a low, solid center of gravity, allowing for a very low rollover risk. The Model 3 also includes many safety features, including Automatic Emergency Braking, Speed Assist, Seatbelt Reminder, and Lane Support Systems. Fun Fact The original name of the Model 3 was going to be the Model E. Elon Musk planned to build the Model S, E, X, and Y to spell SEXY since he wanted to make electric cars sexy. However, Ford had already claimed the tradename of the Model E, so it became the Model 3. With its affordable price and great specifications, it is no wonder the Tesla Model 3 became a huge success. It even won some awards, including “2019 Car of the Year” by Auto Express Magazine and “2020 Car of the Year” by Parkers Magazine. More than 1 million units have already been sold, and in October 2021, Hertz Car Rental placed a massive order for 100,000 units. I’ve no doubt Tesla will continue to improve the Model 3, and hopefully, it will also become more affordable since I would love to have one myself.