Tesla Model S. Source: Tesla
Last Friday’s revelation that Tesla would not be building Right Hand Drive versions of the Model X or Model S for any countries, including Australia, was met with a mixture of sadness and anger. Some reservation holders loyal to Tesla felt they’d been harshly stood up after years of adulation, while those not so loyal to Tesla unsurprisingly went down the path of anger and resentment, with threats of “I’m going to buy another brand of EV” or “let’s organise a class action”. Is it a big deal?, does it warrant the carry-on that’s filtered through social media for the past 72 hours? No, so I’ll put down a few dot points which hopefully will sway a few reservation holders to move on to the important things in life.
+ Tesla’s mission statement: To accelerate the advent of sustainable transport by bringing compelling mass market electric cars to market as soon as possible. The Model 3 and Model Y are mass market vehicles, the Model X and Model S are not, their purpose was steeping stones to the 3, Y and eventually the smaller 2 or Q or whatever it gets called.
+ “You absolutely have to own a Model X or S.” These vehicles have been available in Australia since 2016 and 2014 respectively, plenty of time to purchase a new one.
+ “You always trade up to new every 3 years.” Sadly, folks still fall for a marketing ploy engineered by US automakers in the 40s and 50s, that’s not very sustainable so you’re on your own.
+ “You need Plaid acceleration in your life”: I’m sure you do, but the acceleration war is won, the point has been proved, Australia now needs hundreds of thousands of clean, efficient low cost EVs to replace all the ICE clunkers polluting the city and suburbs.
+ A Tesla Model 3 or Model Y is below your pay grade:” I can see those 1950s marketing teams at Ford, GM and Chrysler really made an impact that still survives today.
Here’s some advice from someone who has a 2015 Model S and a 2023 Model Y: The current Model X and S vehicles are built in Fremont, the same factory as my Model S, and nothing has changed in 8 years.
The drivetrains, batteries and efficiency are fantastic, the care factor in fit and finish not so fantastic, the 2023 Model 3s and Model Ys are built in Shanghai, the whole vehicle including drivetrain, batteries, efficiency, fit, finish and most of all factory workers care factor are a very high standard.
The Model Y is not a downgrade, it’s not only the best value for dollar, it’s Tesla’s best vehicle so far.
You’re going to punish Tesla by buying a European brand EV? Go ahead, that’s not punishing Tesla, it’s a win for Tesla, dragging legacy auto kicking and screaming into electrified drivetrains was one of Teslas aims, one vehicle manufacturer can’t do it all on their own.
Rob Dean has owned a Model S since 2015 and recently purchased a 2023 Model Y.
Keyword: The right hand drive Tesla Model X and Model S are cancelled: It’s time to move on