'EVERY BEING ON THE PLANET'

Even before the paring back of the delivery team, investors questioned the level of demand for the Model 3 remaining after Tesla's all-out push to supply buyers ahead of the tax credit cut.

"Given the need for revenue to cover costs and generate cash, the financial community should be focused on the level of demand for Tesla vehicles – in particular the Model 3," wrote Barclays analyst Brian Johnson in January.

The two former delivery workers said the 2018 sales push has left Tesla's reservations list plucked clean of North American buyers willing to pay current prices of over $40,000 to get their hands on a Model 3.

Chief Executive Elon Musk initially said in 2016 the car would start at $35,000 - which sparked a rush of reservations - but Tesla has yet to actually sell any cars at that price, despite two price cuts already this year.

"We sold through just about every car we had on the ground and we called almost every being on the planet who had ever expressed desire to own a Tesla to let them know the tax credit was expiring," said the other ex-employee.

Tesla workers around the company were reassigned to pitch in, that source said.

"They said, 'Your job is off the table now, we have to get these cars delivered. Because if we don't get these cars delivered, you don't have a job tomorrow,'" the former employee said.