Exclusive: Tesla Model 3 Photo Shoot at the Gigafactory

Immediately after Tesla revealed the all-new Model 3 last month and gave us a ride, we iPhoned Tesla’s PR department and asked if we could shoot the Model 3 at the Gigafactory in Reno, Nevada with CEO Elon Musk. The answer came back: “Maybe. Please hold.” As Model 3 pre-orders shot from 180,000 on the first day to nearly 400,000 at last count, we checked back in, pleaded, cajoled, and finally secured two out of three: a slick silver Model 3 at the Gigafactory. Turns out the guy who lands rockets on barges floating in the Atlantic is a little too busy for us.

But that’s more than OK. We’re honored to be the first media outlet of any kind to get time with the Model 3, especially at the much-talked-about Gigafactory. So we’ve pulled out all the stops. We’re flying in Motor Trend testing director and resident Tesla expert, Kim Reynolds, for the day so that he can make his sage observations and insightful analysis. Yesterday, we stuffed a crack team of Motor Trend staffers into our long-term Honda Pilot and Kia Sedona and drove nearly 500 miles north to Reno. On board with us are ace shooters — Brian Vance and Robin Trajano handling still photography, master storyteller/producer Travis Labella on video and drone, and social media manager Chris Bacarella, who will be broadcasting our shoot across Twitter and Instagram. Speaking of broadcast, we will be updating live from the shoot via Snapchat (motor.trend) and Facebook Live, as we did yesterday:

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We’re honored to be the first media outlet of any kind to get time with the Model 3, especially at the much-talked-about Gigafactory.

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