Tesla It reported record deliveries of its electric vehicles in the last three months of 2020, and is within reach of the half-million target for the year set by CEO Elon Musk.

Annual sales for the California-based manufacturer rose 36% after the fourth quarter that beat analysts’ expectations, delivering a total of 499,550 vehicles in 2020.

Tesla 180,570 electric cars delivered between October and December, just below the overall target Musk set at the start of the year, before the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Covid-19 virus forced the shutdown of Fremont’s assembly plant in the US in the spring, but Musk urged employees to increase production to meet the goal, and last week offered incentives including free „self-driving” options worth $ 10,000 (7,300 pounds). Sterling) on ​​Tesla cars that were completed and delivered in the last days of December.

Despite the apparent absence of the target, Tesla said it had „produced and delivered half a million vehicles, in line with our latest directives,” and Musk hailed them as a „major milestone.”

He tweeted: „Very proud of the Tesla Team to achieve this big milestone! In the beginning of Tesla I thought we had (optimistically) a 10% chance of ever surviving. „

More than 509,000 cars were manufactured by the manufacturer in 2020. Production of its Y SUV model commenced in 2020 Its Chinese factory is in ShanghaiExpect deliveries to start soon, Tesla said.

Tesla share price, Which increased eightfold in 2020, He ended the year at more than $ 705, valuing the company at $ 669 billion – 20% of which is owned by Musk himself. The second richest man in the world. It overtook Toyota earlier this year as the world’s most valuable automaker and last month Join the prestigious Wall Street Standard & Poor’s Index, To become the sixth largest listed company by value.