Tesla China has revealed pricing and specifications for the locally made, upgraded version of its base Model 3 electric sedan, adding the new made-in-China vehicle to its website on Friday morning and confirming a delivery schedule.
While it was expected that the made-in-China version of the Standard Range Plus (SRP) vehicle would be cheaper than its US version, it had been unclear by how much. It can now be confirmed there is a significant price difference, equating to $A10,000 cheaper.
As shown on Tesla’s Chinese Model 3 page, the US-made SRP Model 3 is Â¥377,000 ($A79,000 at today’s rates), whereas the Chinese version in only Â¥328,000 ($68,800 at today’s rates).
It has the same specs as the USA-made version – 460km range (NEDC cycle), top speed of 225km.hr and acceleration to 0-100km/hr in 5.6 seconds.
The updated order page with pricing was noted online by Chinese-based Tesla fan Vincent, who has reported previously on Tesla developments in China via Twitter.
Now Tesla China officially announced Made in China 🇨🇳 ✨✨Model 3 SR Plus✨ ✨ has a cruising range of 460 km (NEDC estimate), starting at RMB 328,000 and expected delivery time is 6 to 10 months and officially open vehicle reservations!! $TSLA #Tesla #China #TeslaChina #Model3 pic.twitter.com/hp7KM2C3hM
— vincent (@vincent13031925) May 31, 2019
However, as Vincent points out, for those wanting to take advantage of the cheaper pricing, there will be a long wait.
Production cannot start just yet because Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory 3 is still in the final stages of completion.
A recent flyover of the nearly finished Gigafactory, the land for which was bought just over half a year ago for a price tag of $5 billion, shows the EV maker’s first overseas EV general assembly plant looking all but finished, with some roof areas still to be completed.
A recent job seeker event in Lingang to staff the Shanghai Gigafactory also indicates that its opening date can’t be too far off.
May 29th, Tesla China held a job opening recruitment in Lingang to raise the 1st wave of front-line employees for the Shanghai Gigafactory GF3. A lot of ppl went there & which was originally scheduled to end at 4 pm, was delayed until nearly 7 pm. $TSLA #TeslaChina #Tesla #China pic.twitter.com/gyfW5rBjtB
— vincent (@vincent13031925) May 29, 2019
Meanwhile, in Australia, the online configurator for the Model 3 went live on Friday afternoon – as we report here. The drive-away price for the lowest-cost version is around $71,000.
According to the configurator viewed by The Driven this afternoon, the upgraded version of the base Model 3 will have a starting price of $66,000 (before drive aways) and the Performance will start from $85,000 (before drive aways). Drive away prices vary from state to state because of the stamp duty and other taxes.
