Tesla's Model 3 has already racked up 232,000 pre-orders

For a car that's more than a year away from being built.

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Richard Lawler|@Rjcc|April 1, 2016 10:45 PM

It hasn't even been 24 hours since we got our first glimpse of Tesla's $35,000 Model 3 electric vehicle, and the pre-orders are flying in. Despite, or possibly because of, a polarizing style and interesting cabin that ditches the usual gauges for a single flatscreen, CEO Elon Musk reports the vehicle has already notched 232,000 pre-orders.

Gallery: Tesla Model 3 unveiling | 26 Photos

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Earlier today the number stood at 180,000 with an average price of $42,000 per Model 3, which was already enough to raise questions of how a company that made just over 50,000 vehicles last year will keep up with the demand. Earlier today Musk himself tweeted that there's a need to "rethink production planning," which sounds like a good problem to have -- hopefully the Gigafactory is up to the task. So, if you're interested, it's probably a good idea to get in line now, or at least check out our first drive impressions before laying down $1,000 to reserve a spot in line.

Model 3 orders at 180,000 in 24 hours. Selling price w avg option mix prob $42k, so ~$7.5B in a day. Future of electric cars looking bright!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 1, 2016