Why there is a field in Florida filled with unsold Tesla Model 3 cars

If you were looking to find a Tesla Model 3, then an overgrown field in Florida probably wouldn’t be your first place to look.

In fact, it’s the last place you’d consider.

Yet, heading to Northern Florida might surprise you to find not just one Tesla Model 3 but many others awaiting sale and kept in a more rural location than you’d expect.

As it happens, this field in Tampa is currently the home of many of the Tesla models that have come straight off the production line and have been there since April.

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A field full of Tesla

The discovery of the field of Tesla cars first came to light after a Reddit thread uncovered them. Redditor LSDBunnos asked on the platform: “Does anyone know what this is? Hundreds of Model 3’s in an overgrown lot.

“Hundreds of Teslas. 2024 Model 3’s and a few 22’ and 23’ model 3/Y,

“Most have a manufacturing date of April 2024 and have non standard package wheels, mixed color interiors, mixed silver and black handles. No performance models from what I saw. (Engineering prototypes?)

“About 4-5 months before this it was all 22-23’ model 3/Y’s but I never got close enough to see anything.”

In the comments many were shocked to see where the Teslas are being kept.

However, one person explained: “I live right down the road from this. The local service center said this is a feeder for new 3s that are in inventory.

“They are running out of space on the N Florida avenue site in Tampa. They also said they use this for other sites, such as Orlando.

“It’s mostly base and long range, but no performance. Just picked a performance up from the Florida Ave site last week.”

Others joked that the cars were ‘grazing’ and living out ‘in the wild’. However some are annoyed to see vehicles seemingly just left.

Others commented on the state of the vehicles.

The original poster pointed out: “Another thing I noticed is how BAD the paint in on all of these vehicles. It’s peeling, orange peel, grainy/sandy, and really thin, you can see the aluminum metal on some of the other vehicles where the paint is thin.

“There is a Tesla service center about 15 minutes south of this location.”

Tesla’s reason for keeping the Model 3s

While it might seem that these brand-new cars have been abandoned, that’s not the case.

Quite the opposite – Tesla is well aware of where these new Model 3s are, and they’re happy to leave them.

So, why keep the vehicles in a field?

It’s not a way to get money off a new Tesla, instead the reason the vehicles are kept in the Tampa field is simply due to space.

According to reports, nearby dealerships are running out of space and keep the unsold cars in the field as an overflow.

Whilst dealerships storing excess cars off site is nothing new, choosing a wild and overgrown field is a new one and it’s not necessarily the best idea.

Why Tesla Model 3 cars in a field is a problem

Cars being left in an overgrown field comes with its own issues for those buying them, and it could have an impact on the vehicle too.

The field is home to wildlife, and with the Florida sun beating down, it’s not exactly ideal for keeping a new model in top condition.

Plus, if you’ve splashed your hard-earned cash on a new top-of-the-range Tesla Model 3, you don’t want to think it’s been left out in the sun and with wildlife for months before you get it—you’d be pretty annoyed.

Whilst the vehicles might sit alongside mice, snakes and all kinds of wildlife, they don’t come with your new car.

Thankfully your new purchase will be given a full once over so it arrives looking pristine.

The Tesla store in Tampa confirmed to The Drive that all cars arrive washed, cleaned, and prepped by delivery centers.

So, while your new Tesla might be living its best life outdoors, it won’t seem like it when you get it.