patrick_y[PuristSPro Moderator]
33543
They will make money...
Tesla should make a margin off the base model. A smaller margin, but they should make money. The problem is that they include all the hardware even with the base model. So all the cars cost about the same to build (Premium package costs a bit more, extra batteries cost more, dual motors cost more). All the hardware for Enhanced Autopilot and self driving is included. Just not activated.
It is expected that the model 3 will cost around $28,000 to build; Elon has tweeted confirmation of such estimates, this is assuming economies of scale are reached.