Tesla doubles the discounts for its main models up to 7,500 dollars in the US

Tesla is offering discounts of $7,500 for electric vehicles Model 3 and Model Y delivered in the United States this month, according to its website, when there were concerns in the market that the automaker faces weak demand due to the slowdown in the economy.

The discount is higher than the $3,750 it offered for Model 3 and Model Y vehicles delivered before the end of the year, and it has recently begun promoting a free 10,000-mile fast charge for vehicles delivered in December.

The latest discount comes just days after the US Treasury Department delayed restrictions on purchase incentives until March. electric vehicleswhich means that Teslas and others made in the United States will be eligible for the entire $7,500 in benefits starting in January.

Customers had canceled orders and deferred purchases until the new credits took effect in January, weighing on demand for Tesla.

Analysts are also concerned that the increase in interest rates and CEO Elon Musk’s Twitter distraction could hurt the Tesla brand and sales.

“The fact that they appear to be cutting price to increase delivery volume does not increase confidence, especially at a time when we are seeing increasing competition,” said Craig Irwin, an analyst at ROTH Capital Partners.

The rare discounts follow a series of price hikes over the past two years by the maker of automobileswhich he blamed on supply chain disruption and inflation.

Tesla shares, which have lost more than two-thirds of their value so far this year, were down 5% on Thursday at $130.60.