US electric vehicle brand takes almost $4000 off the asking prices of some local variants
After several consecutive and conspicuous price increases, Tesla Australia has swiped up to $3100 from the asking prices of its Australian line-up as the American giant tries to stay competitive against the increasing number of value-oriented Asian brands coming to market.
The biggest discounts have been applied to the Tesla Model 3 Long Range and Tesla Model Y RWD, each of which have had $3100 slashed off their asking prices and now start from $76,900 and $68,900 plus on-road costs respectively.
Continuing down the list of adjustments, the Model Y Performance is now $1800 cheaper at $94,900 plus ORCs, with its Model 3 counterpart is similarly now $1700 more affordable at $89,900 plus ORCs.
The smallest price reduction belongs to entry-level Model 3 RWD, which now starts from $63,900 (-$1600) plus ORCs in its most basic form.
That isn’t exactly the end of the story though, because Tesla is one of the few locally brands to not factor the Luxury Car Tax into its asking prices, which in this instance, applies to the two Performance models.
Pricing of some key optional extras has been adjusted down too, including the red multi-coat paint (now $2400: -$500), the Model 3’s 19-inch Sport wheels ($1800: -$400) and Model Y’s 20-inch Induction wheels (now $2400: -$500).
Conversely, the order and delivery fees have been subtly increased; the former by $50 to $400 and the latter by $25 to $1400.
Tesla accounted for just under 59 per cent (19,594) of all electric vehicle sales last year even though its local portfolio only contains these two models.
In a turn of events that’ll probably have Toyota scratching its head, the Model 3 was the best-selling medium passenger vehicle in the country, finally ending the reign of the once-unassailable Toyota Camry.
What makes the feat even more impressive is that the cheapest Model 3 still costs nearly twice as much as the cheapest Camry.
And while the Model Y couldn’t match its sedan sibling’s success in terms of sheer numbers, it still dominated the mid-size luxury SUV market segment with a huge 22.7 per cent share courtesy of its 8717 sales – almost double the number of X3s sold by BMW over the same period.
How much does the 2023 Tesla Model 3 cost?
RWD – $63,900 (-$1600)
Long Range – $76,900 (-$3100)
Performance – $89,900 (-$1700
*Prices exclude on-road costs and LCT where applicable
How much does the 2023 Tesla Model Y cost?
RWD – $68,900 (-$3400)
Performance – $94,900 (-$1800)
*Prices exclude on-road costs and LCT where applicable
Keyword: Tesla Model 3 and Model Y prices shaved