Tesla Model 3 at 0.99% APR: financing slashed in the US

On February 15, 2026, Tesla made a big splash in the US market by cutting its Model 3 financing rate by a factor of three. The automaker now offers an annual percentage rate (APR) of 0.99%, down from 2.99% previously—a spectacular 67% reduction that radically changes the financial equation for potential buyers.

This ultra-aggressive offer, for now limited to the US market, reveals a well-thought-out commercial strategy. Tesla is no longer just playing on list prices or technical performance: the automaker is making attractive financing a full-fledged sales weapon.

Even if you’re in France, this announcement deserves your attention. It outlines Tesla’s global strategy and could foreshadow similar initiatives in other markets. I’ll explain why this 0.99% rate is much more than a simple short-lived promotion.

An unbeatable financing rate to win over buyers

The number is eye-catching: 0.99% APR for up to 72 months. In a context where US interest rates remain high (around 6–7% for a typical auto loan), this Tesla offer becomes a powerful argument.

Let’s take a concrete example with a Model 3 Premium Rear-Wheel Drive priced at $42,990. With the previous 2.99% rate, the monthly payment was around $640 over 72 months. At 0.99%, it drops to about $615. That’s a $25 per month saving, or $1,800 over the full term of the loan.

But beyond the raw numbers, it’s the message that matters: Tesla is making access to its electric vehicles more affordable by using financing as the lever rather than direct discounts. This approach preserves the vehicle’s perceived value while easing buyers’ monthly budgets.

Eligibility conditions remain standard: good credit is required, and financing goes through Tesla-approved banking partners. Nothing out of reach for a buyer with a solid application.

All Model 3 versions are eligible

One of the strengths of this offer is the complete lack of restrictions. All Model 3 versions get the 0.99% rate, with no distinction:

• Model 3 Premium Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): the entry-level version, ideal for tighter budgets looking for a high-performing electric sedan
• Model 3 Premium All-Wheel Drive (AWD): the perfect balance between driving range, performance, and affordability
• Model 3 Performance: even the higher-performance, more expensive versions benefit from the reduced rate

This universality is a strong signal. Tesla isn’t simply trying to clear inventory of a specific version or artificially boost sales of an end-of-life model. The automaker wants to energize the entire Model 3 lineup and maintain its commercial lead across all price segments.

Result: whether you’re aiming for the entry-level model or the sportiest version, the financial advantage is the same. It’s maximum democratization of the offer.

A well-honed commercial strategy from Tesla

The Chinese precedent that proved itself

This US operation didn’t come out of nowhere. Tesla rolled out a similar program in China until January 31, 2026, with proven commercial success. Sales jumped, proving how effective the financial lever is in mature markets.

So the automaker is repeating a recipe that works. Rather than slashing list prices (which hurts brand image and margins), Tesla boosts sales via financing as a sales weapon. It’s more subtle, more profitable, and psychologically more effective.

Concrete impact on buyers’ budgets

Let’s go back to the numbers with a practical case: a Model 3 Premium Rear-Wheel Drive at $42,990 financed over 72 months.

• At 2.99%: monthly payment of about $640, for a total loan cost of $3,590
• At 0.99%: monthly payment of about $615, for a total loan cost of $1,200
• Total savings over 6 years: $2,390

For many buyers, it’s the monthly payment that dictates the final choice, not necessarily the total price. By reducing that payment significantly, Tesla makes the Model 3 accessible to a broader audience without sacrificing its margins on the sale price.

Financing becomes a major sales lever, sometimes more decisive than the list price itself.

The Model 3 strengthens its leading position

This commercial offensive comes in a context of Tesla’s overwhelming dominance of the US electric vehicle market. In 2025, the automaker sold 192,440 Model 3 units in the United States, making it the second best-selling electric vehicle in the country, just behind its big brother, the Model Y, which moved 357,528 units.

The Model 3 remains the benchmark electric sedan in the United States, far ahead of the BMW i4, the Polestar 2, or offerings from traditional automakers. This financing offer aims to widen the gap with the competition even further.

The strategic goal is clear: keep commercial momentum going ahead of the potential arrival of new competing models, especially from Chinese automakers that are starting to cautiously enter the US market.

While the Model Y is literally crushing the competition in the compact electric SUV category, Tesla isn’t neglecting its iconic sedan. The two models complement each other perfectly in the strategy to conquer the US market.

And what about us, in Europe and France?

Let’s be clear: for now, this offer is exclusively American. You won’t be able to benefit from it directly if you order a Model 3 in France today.

European and French markets operate under different dynamics. Here, incentives to buy electric vehicles rely more on the eco bonus, regional aid, or tax advantages for businesses. Financing systems also depend on local banking partners and credit conditions that vary by country.

But Tesla’s recent history shows that the automaker regularly rolls out global commercial strategies, adapted locally. When a major initiative is launched in the US or China, Europe often follows—with a delay and adjustments to the local context.

My advice? If you’re seriously considering buying a Model 3 in France, keep an eye on upcoming announcements over the next few months. Tesla could very well launch promotional financing offers or advantageous banking partnerships to boost its European sales, especially if competition intensifies.

European financing rates are already more competitive than they were two years ago, and limited-time deals appear regularly. If you’re preparing your Model 3 order, remember to check my complete delivery checklist so you don’t forget anything on the big day.

What this offer tells us about Tesla’s strategy

Beyond the 0.99% rate itself, this announcement reveals a deep shift in Tesla’s commercial approach. The automaker is no longer relying solely on technological innovation or raw performance to win people over. It’s now using all the classic levers of the automotive industry, including financing as a sales weapon.

This US offer is a trend indicator for other markets. It shows Tesla is ready to adapt and to play on all fronts to stay competitive against a rival landscape that gets stronger every year.

For French readers, the message is clear: stay alert to local developments. Strategies that work across the Atlantic often end up crossing the ocean in one form or another—especially with the automaker’s data showing the growing importance of financing in car-buying decisions.

Tesla proves it can adapt to maintain its lead. Financing is becoming a battleground as important as the product itself. Tesla is also working on a $25,000 compact to make EVs even more accessible, proof that affordability is at the heart of the automaker’s long-term strategy.

EVs keep becoming more accessible—whether through prices, performance, or now financing terms. And that’s great news for everyone. Don’t forget to use a Tesla referral code to maximize your benefits when buying and take advantage of every lever available to optimize your investment.