Tesla Motors plans to discontinue the most affordable versions of its Model S electric sedan, the company announced this week.
Tesla officials said that the 60 and 60D versions — which currently comprise the low end of the Model S' $64,000 to $128,000 price range — aren't selling well and that phasing them out would simplifying its ordering process.
But the Los Angeles Times reported that the cheaper Model S could also be too close in price to the Model 3, Tesla's first mass-market vehicle set to launch later this year.
The Model 3 is expected to cost about $35,000 — about half the price of current Tesla vehicles — but analysts expect early buyers to add optional features that increase the price to $50,000 or more.
The end of the 60 and 60D will raise the minimum price of the Model S to $70,000, the Times noted. The 70 and 70D also feature a 250-mile range compared to the 210-mile to 218-mile range of its more affordable cousin; the most expensive version, the P100D, travels more than 300 miles per charge.
Prospective 60 or 60D buyers will need to submit their orders by April 6, the company said.
