Even as Tesla opened its first showroom and service centre in Dubai yesterday, the first Model 3 has rolled off the production line. Model 3, which is the electric carmaker’s highly anticipated low-cost electric car model with a range of 346 kilometres, will cost $35,000 (128,555) in the US. This is less than half price of the Model S saloon, and promises to expand the brand’s appeal and customer base significantly.

When the new model was announced early last year, it made history by bringing in 120,000 pre-orders and 200,000 deposits within just 24 hours. There are more than 400,000 reservations already made, and even with the projected production capacity of 20,000 Model 3 units per month by this year-end, it will be a while before all these potential customers get their hands on the car.

The new model, which will lead to an exponential increase in the number of Tesla vehicles on the road, will also put pressure on the brand to expand its existing Supercharger network as well as service facilities. That’s why Tesla is bolstering its service network around the world, especially in cities that have a considerable number of customers who have made reservations for the Model 3.