The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Tesla says it has built initial versions of an affordable car, a move likely meant to stem the steep decline in sales the company has experienced in markets across the world. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says that Elon Musk's electric-vehicle maker posted the worst quarterly sales decline in more than a decade and profit that missed Wall Street targets, but its profit margin on making cars was better than many feared. Tesla said it expects volume production of the long-promised cheaper vehicle in the second half of this year, raising hopes it will rekindle demand as it battles rising competition from cheaper EVs, especially in China, and a persistent backlash against Mr. Musk's political views. Production of the cheaper car will increase next quarter, slower than initially expected, and the company did not provide an update on its full-year deliveries forecast. "Tesla's disappointing results aren't surprising given the rocky road it's travelled recently," said Emarketer analyst Jacob Bourne. "A truly affordable model will hit the bullseye in terms of boosting sales if Tesla can effectively position it right without detracting from its higher-priced models."