Tesla fires a rare shot to close the year. The company has launched an aggressive year end sales push across the United States, with 0 percent APR for up to 72 months on Model 3 and Model Y, free option upgrades on select inventory, and a zero down Model Y lease for qualifying buyers. All deals require delivery by December 31. The intent is clear, move metal now, protect deliveries, and reset for 2026.
What Tesla just put on the table
This morning, Tesla sales teams began offering some of the strongest year end deals we have seen from the brand. The offers target cars already built and sitting in inventory, and they are tied to a hard delivery cutoff.
- 0 percent APR financing up to 72 months on Model 3 and Model Y
- Zero down lease offers on select Model Y units, subject to credit approval
- Complimentary upgrades on eligible inventory, including premium paint, larger wheels, and interior trims
- All deals require delivery by December 31, and only apply to select VINs
Inventory units move fast in the final weeks. Your deal is not real until you have a VIN and a scheduled delivery.
The push follows a softer fourth quarter. Many buyers pulled purchases forward in late summer to capture a federal EV tax credit that has since expired, leaving extra stock on hand now. Tesla is meeting that gap with price, not promises.
Why now, and what it signals
This is a pivot from a tax credit tailwind to a price driven fight. Competition has sharpened in crossovers and sedans. Shoppers now cross shop Model Y against Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Volkswagen ID.4. Tesla still leads on charging access and software, but price parity has narrowed.
The global picture is mixed. Europe has leaned on lower entry prices to keep lines moving. China saw a bump in November on fresh variants, but year to date deliveries remain uneven. In the United States, this December sprint is designed to keep factories balanced and maintain delivery momentum into the new year.
What buyers get, with real world takeaways
The headline deals land on the two volume leaders. Model 3 and Model Y remain the right size and price for many families, and the spec sheet still reads strong.
Model Y Long Range offers all wheel drive, EPA range around 300 miles, and a 0 to 60 time in the mid 4 second bracket. Model Y Performance drops into the mid 3s. Model 3 Long Range lists up to the mid 300s in range, with the Performance variant around 3 seconds to 60. Both charge at up to 250 kW on the Supercharger network. In our recent highway loops, a 15 minute stop added roughly 150 to 175 miles under ideal conditions.
Cabins are quiet at speed. The heat pump helps in cold weather, though range still slips in deep winter. The single screen layout is simple once you learn it. Autopilot eases traffic grind, but drivers must stay alert. The free upgrade mix changes by VIN, yet we saw premium paint and 20 inch wheels included on several cars that would have cost extra earlier this fall.
Check local inventory several times a day, then call or chat to place a hold. Ask your advisor to itemize which paid options are now included at no cost.
Clearance move or demand crack
This looks like a classic December clean up, but it also hints at a new normal. Without federal incentives, Tesla has to win on monthly payment and feature value. Zero percent APR stretches buying power, and it keeps sticker prices intact, yet it pressures margins. Higher deliveries this month could help headline numbers, but the cost sits on the income statement.
Investors should watch mix. If Model Y dominates at lower trims with free options, gross margin will be tighter. If Performance variants move on 0 percent, average selling price holds up better. For rivals, the message lands hard. Expect more finance specials from legacy brands to defend share. That means a tougher pricing environment across EVs in the first half of 2026.
Financing offers depend on credit tier and state rules. Read the contract. Prepayment, fees, and lease disposition terms can change your true cost.
What to watch next
- Mid month inventory levels, especially white and black cars with common wheel packages
- Competitor finance responses in the next two weeks
- Delivery bottlenecks at high volume stores near quarter end
- Any extension or pullback of 0 percent offers before December 31
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to take delivery by December 31 to get these deals?
A: Yes. The incentives are tied to delivery by December 31 and only on select inventory units.
Q: Which models qualify for 0 percent APR?
A: Tesla is offering 0 percent APR up to 72 months on Model 3 and Model Y. Other models follow standard rates.
Q: What free upgrades are included?
A: Eligible inventory may include premium paint, larger wheels, or interior trims at no extra cost. It varies by VIN.
Q: Is the zero down Model Y lease available everywhere?
A: It depends on region, credit approval, and inventory. Check your local Tesla page or store.
Q: Will these offers return in January?
A: Do not count on it. Year end incentives are designed to clear stock and may end with the quarter.
In short, Tesla just turned December into a buyer’s window. The cars are quick, efficient, and easy to live with, and the math finally moved in your favor. If you are ready and can take delivery fast, this is the moment to pounce. If you are a competitor, brace for a colder, sharper price war in 2026.
