Tesla will begin test building Model 3 cars on Feb 20

Tesla Motors will reportedly enter "pilot production" of its more affordable Model 3 electric vehicle on February 20, according to "people familiar with the matter", says Reuters.

Reuters' sources didn't say how many Model 3 vehicles would be built in February, but it would most likely be a smaller number of cars in order to test Tesla's assembly system, and the quality of vehicle parts used on the Model 3. Tesla Motors' boss Elon Musk told investors that more than 370,000 customers have put deposits down on the Model 3, with July 2017 set to be the kick off month on production.

Model 3 vehicles will be built in Fremont, California on February 20, and then two days later - Tesla reports its Q4 2016 results. Perfect timing for the production to start, isn't it? Reuters source said: "What better way to stoke the fan base and Wall Street than to wheel out pre-production models".

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Tesla's upcoming Model 3 vehicle will be an exciting entry into the electric car market, as it will be priced at around $35,000 before government incentives.