Step change in model 3 production

Bloomberg's Tesla Model 3 tracker, which has been remarkably accurate over the last couple of years when compared to Tesla's quarterly production data, is showing a big jump in weekly Model 3 production.  Most of this is going overseas, as sales in Europe have just started.

Source: Bloomberg
Note: the green line represents a 13-week moving average of the weekly estimates.

This jump in production suggests that the new battery pack line and the Panasonic lines at the gigafactory are up and running.  It's also good news for the introduction of the base level Model 3 at US$35,000, because these improvements were needed to get costs down enough to do the base Model 3.

However, Tesla's US website has removed any mention of the base Model 3 from its website. This has caused consternation. 

I don't believe for one minute that Tesla is not going to produce a base-level $35,000 Model 3.  This is part of Musk's plan, to make EVs affordable to the middle classes.  It's an emotional, ethical, values commitment by him, but has been hindered so far by the incredibly complex roll-out of the Model 3, and by the need to turn a profit.  I have no doubt Tesla could produce a Model 3 and sell it for $35K, by removing the glass roof, the premium interior, etc., and putting in a smaller battery pack.  Already Tesla has snipped a couple of thousand off the more expensive Model 3 options as battery costs have fallen and it has turned a profit, so that the cheapest Model 3 is now $42K.  It's not that far off.