Californian electric car maker Tesla has dropped pricing for its mass-market Model 3 following suspension of certain tariffs by China for vehicle imports from the US, making it more competitive with similar ICE models and other locally made electric cars.
The price change was noted on Monday, with the price for the long-range model dropping over ten per cent from 440,000RMB ($A88,700) down to 399,000RMB ($A80,450).
The performance model dropped just under 6 per cent from 595,000RMB ($A120,000) down to 560,000RMB ($A113,000).
The price change was reported by Twitterer Vincent, who also noted that the new pricing puts the long-range Model 3 comfortably within the price range of other mid size luxury sedans in China (he notes the prices in US dollars):
It’s also worth noting that with the launch of Chinese startup Nio’s new all-electric ES6 SUV with 510km range – which is also available in two models – its high performance version with 84kWh battery pack coming in at 398,000RMB ($A80,000), Tesla have another competitor to contend with.
Not that this bothers Tesla – as CEO Elon Musk recently told reporter Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes Overtime, “If somebody comes and makes a better electric car than Tesla and it’s so much better than ours that we can’t sell our cars, and we go bankrupt, I still think that’s a good thing for the world.”
According to Tesla’s Chinese website, drivers can now order the two models and expect to receive their vehicles as of next year (see English translation in italics):
Model 3 is designed with safety in mind and is designed to achieve the highest ratings for all types of safety testing. The Model 3 has a cruising range of up to 220 miles and starts at just $35,000.
Some Model 3 models have been opened for selection in mainland China.
Book your Model 3 now and start shipping in 2019.
Model 3 is now available as an option. Among the models currently on sale, the high-performance all-wheel-drive version starts at ¥ 560,000 and the long-life all-wheel drive version starts at ¥ 499,000.
Please check your reservation email or call 400-919-0707 for configuration and pricing information.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.
Hyundai recently launched its smallest and lowest cost EV on to the Australian market, but…
Tesla is working on newly refreshed versions of the Model S and Model X ahead…
The Marion council is going ahead with its plan to sell a contaminated piece of…
Largest car subscription provider in Australia, is partnering with Jet Charge to provide electric vehicle…
Are hydrogen tanks getting lighter? Are fuel cells getting more powerful? Is battery chemistry improving?…
BYD's next ute has been spied again, with more details emerging suggesting it could have…
