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Not even close. It is a supercar, the order number vs the Model 3’s and Y’s is a rounding error.

The Roadster is about marketing as racing is to every other car manufacturer.

They do not need the measly deposits for this car to sustain Tesla, not even close.

> This is what we actually call a Ponzi scheme

I don't see how a Ponzi scheme involving paying to reserve a future product is even possible. One of us does not understand what "Ponzi scheme" means.

I think is more just traditional fraud

One might argue (successfully, I'm not sure) that the influencer referral link program was a form of Ponzi scheme.

Then it’s not really a Ponzi scheme. Those crash under their own weight pretty quickly. Not just because of govt intervention.

Madoff's ponzi lasted decades, possibly as early as the 1970s through 2008.