Tesla 3Q production numbers up as Musk rallies workers

TOKYO (AP) — Tesla is reporting encouraging production figures for its third quarter as founder Elon Musk tells employees to work hard to prove "the naysayers wrong."

Tesla announced Tuesday that it produced 80,142 vehicles in the third quarter, which is 50 percent more than the previous quarter.

The company made 53,239 Model 3 vehicles, in line with its outlook for 50,000 to 55,000, and nearly double the second quarter's volume.

It produced 26,903 Model S and X vehicles. That's slightly better than its second-quarter performance and in line with its full-year guidance. The company's target of 100,000 Model S and X deliveries in 2018 remains unchanged.