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Tesla is ‘very close’ to profitability, says Musk: ‘If we go all out, we will achieve an epic victory’
As the third quarter trickles down to its final hours, Tesla remains fully determined to power forward and end Q3 on a strong note, delivering as many vehicles as it can to reservation holders. While the delivery figures for the quarter would most likely be impressive, questions remain if Tesla can achieve its other, more ambitious goal this Q3 — profitability. If one of Musk’s recent emails to employees are any indication, it appears that the electric car maker is closing in on this goal as well.
This weekend proved to be eventful for Elon Musk and Tesla. Even before Saturday began, Musk took to Twitter to express his gratitude to the Tesla community for supporting the company, particularly owners who are serving as volunteers on delivery centers. Musk also posted a “Don’t Panic” reminder on his Twitter page, almost seemingly teasing that the threat of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s lawsuit would disappear soon. Sure enough, on Saturday, the SEC announced that Elon Musk had agreed to a settlement.
Just hours after his settlement with the SEC was announced, Elon Musk reportedly sent an email to Tesla’s employees stating that the company is incredibly close to hitting profitability. In his email, a copy of which was obtained by Bloomberg, Musk noted that if Tesla “goes all out” on Sunday, there is a good chance that the company could achieve an “epic victory.”
“We are very close to achieving profitability and proving the naysayers wrong, but, to be certain, we must execute really well tomorrow (Sunday). If we go all out tomorrow, we will achieve an epic victory beyond all expectations,” Musk wrote.
Considering Musk’s message, it appears that every single delivery completed this Sunday would contribute to Tesla’s profitability for Q3 2018. Tesla is going all-hands on its deliveries, and boosted by volunteers owners who are orienting newcomers with the features and functions of their electric cars; Tesla appears to be closer to its profitability goals than ever before.
Tesla’s profitability has proven to be among the company’s most elusive targets. Over the years, the company’s profits, or lack thereof, has become one of the most notable pillars of the Tesla bear thesis. Back in April, for one, speculations among the electric car maker’s skeptics suggested that Tesla would need to raise $2.5 to $3 billion this year to stay afloat. It was then that Elon Musk announced on Twitter that Tesla would be profitable and cash flow positive in Q3 and Q4, negating the need to raise more capital. Since then, Tesla has been on a dash to achieve its targets one after another, from the Model 3’s 5,000/week production rate at the end of Q2 to the production and delivery of more than 50,000 Model 3 in Q3.
Tesla’s profitability hinges largely on the Model 3, as it is the vehicle that would comprise most of the company’s deliveries this quarter. Fortunately for Tesla, teardowns and analyses of the car by third-party firms have determined that the electric car maker can make a profit on the Model 3. Sandy Munro of Munro and Associates, for one, noted in an Autoline TV segment that the Model 3 ultimately forced him to “eat crow,” as the vehicle proved to be impressive regardless of his initial reservations about the sedan. Munro, who has decades of experience with vehicles, and who has performed a thorough analysis of other electric cars like the BMW i3 and the Chevy Bolt EV, noted that Tesla could make a decent profit with the Long Range RWD Model 3.
“The Model 3 is profitable. I didn’t think it was gonna happen this way, but the Model 3 is profitable. Over 30%. No electric car is getting 30% net, nobody,” Munro said.
Elon Musk got a brash response from Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, who said in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that the Tesla frontman’s criticism of the airline not equipping Starlink has increased bookings for the next few months.
The two have had a continuing feud over the past several weeks after Musk criticized the airline for not using Starlink for its flights, which would enable fast, free, and reliable Wi-Fi on its aircraft.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk trolls budget airline after it refuses Starlink on its planes
Musk said earlier this week that he was entertaining the idea of purchasing Ryanair and putting someone named Ryan in charge, which would oust O’Leary from his position.
However, the barbs continued today, as O’Leary held a press conference, aiming to dispel any beliefs about Starlink and its use case for Ryanair flights, which are typically short in length.
O’Leary said in the press conference today:
“The Starlink people believe that 90% of our passengers would happily pay for wifi access. Our experience tells us less than 10% would pay; He (Elon) called me a retar*ed twat. He would have to join the back of a very, very long queue of people that already think I’m a retar*ed twat, including my four teenage children.”
He then went on to say that, due to Musk’s publicity, bookings for Ryanair flights have increased over the past few days, up 2 to 3 percent:
“But we do want to thank him for the wonderful boost in publicity. Our bookings are up 2-3% in the last few days. So thank you to Mr. Musk, but he’s wrong on the fuel drag. Non-European citizens cannot own a majority of European airlines, but if he wants to invest in Ryanair, we think it would be a very good investment.”
O’Leary didn’t end there, as he called Musk’s social media platform X a “cesspit,” and said he has no concern over becoming a member of it. However, Ryanair has been very active on X for several years, gaining notoriety for being comical and lighthearted.
🚨 Ryanair CEO’s comments on X and Starlink today at the planned presser.
Strange comments here, it just feels like it’s time to end all this crap https://t.co/NYeG95bM82
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 21, 2026
The public spat between the two has definitely benefited Ryanair, and many are calling for it to end, especially those who support Musk, as they see it as a distraction.
Nevertheless, it is likely going to end with no real movement either way, and is more than likely just a bit of hilarity between the two parties that will end in the coming days.
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Tesla CEO Elon Musk outlines expectations for Cybercab production
“…initial production is always very slow and follows an S-curve. The speed of production ramp is inversely proportionate to how many new parts and steps there are. For Cybercab and Optimus, almost everything is new, so the early production rate will be agonizingly slow, but eventually end up being insanely fast.”
Tesla CEO Elon Musk outlined expectations for Cybercab production as the vehicle is officially set to start rolling off manufacturing lines at the company’s Giga Texas factory in less than 100 days.
Cybercab is specifically designed and catered to Tesla’s self-driving platform and Robotaxi ride-hailing service. The company has been pushing hard to meet its self-set expectations for rolling out an effective self-driving suite, and with the Cybercab coming in under 100 days, it now needs to push for Unsupervised Self-Driving in the same time frame.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirms Robotaxi is set to go unsupervised
This is especially pertinent because the Cybercab is expected to be built without a steering wheel or pedals, and although some executives have said they would build the car with those things if it were necessary.
However, Musk has maintained that the Cybercab will not have either of those things: it will have two seats and a screen, and that’s it.
With production scheduled for less than 100 days, Musk broke down what people should expect from the initial manufacturing phases, being cautiously optimistic about what the early stages will likely entail:
“…initial production is always very slow and follows an S-curve. The speed of production ramp is inversely proportionate to how many new parts and steps there are. For Cybercab and Optimus, almost everything is new, so the early production rate will be agonizingly slow, but eventually end up being insanely fast.”
Musk knows better than most about the challenges of ramping up production of vehicles. With the Model 3, Musk routinely refers to it as “production hell.” The Cybertruck, because of its polarizing design and stainless steel exterior, also presented challenges to Tesla.
With the important caveat that initial production is always very slow and follows an S-curve.
The speed of the production ramp is inversely proportionate to how many new parts and steps there are.
For Cybercab and Optimus, almost everything is new, so the early production…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 20, 2026
The Cybercab definitely presents an easier production process for Tesla, and the company plans to build millions of units per year.
Musk said back in October 2024:
“We’re aiming for at least 2 million units a year of Cybercab. That will be in more than one factory, but I think it’s at least 2 million units a year, maybe 4 million ultimately.”
When April comes, we will find out exactly how things will move forward with Cybercab production.
Tesla has revealed an awesome Model 3 and Model Y incentive to help consumers make the jump to one of its affordable mass-market vehicles, but it’s ending soon.
Tesla is offering one free upgrade on eligible inventory of the Model 3 and Model Y until February 2.
This would help buyers receive the most expensive paid option on the vehicle at no additional cost, meaning white interior or a more premium paint option will be free of charge if you take delivery on or before February 2.
Tesla states on its website for the offer:
“Only for limited inventory while supplies last. Price displayed on inventory listings already deducts the cost of the free option.”
Tesla says its one free upgrade offer on eligible U.S. inventory for the Model 3 and Model Y ends February 2.
With this incentive, buyers receive the most expensive paid option on the vehicle at no additional cost (up to $2k in savings). pic.twitter.com/IhoiURrsDI
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) January 21, 2026
This latest incentive is just another advantage Tesla has by selling its vehicles directly and not using some sort of dealership model that relies on approvals from higher-ups. It is important to note that these programs are offered to help stimulate demand and push vehicles into customers’ hands.
It is not the only incentive Tesla is currently offering, either. In fact, there is a much larger incentive program that Tesla is working on, and it has to do with Full Self-Driving transfers, which could result in even more sales for the company through Q1.
Tesla is ending its FSD Transfer program on March 31, as it plans to transition to a Subscription-only basis with the self-driving suite for anyone who has not already purchased it outright.
This could help drive some on-the-fence buyers to new vehicles, but it remains to be seen. Given the timing of the program’s demise, it appears Tesla is hoping to use it to add additional sales and bolster a strong Q1 2026.
Interior and exterior paint colors can add up to $2,000 if you choose the most premium Ultra Red body color, or an additional $1,000 for the Black and White interior option. The discount, while small, could help get someone their preferred design configuration, instead of settling for something that is not quite what they want.
Elon Musk gets brash response from Ryanair CEO, who thanks him for booking increase
Tesla CEO Elon Musk outlines expectations for Cybercab production
