You didn’t read that wrong. Carsome is now able to provide customers semi-direct access to the Tesla purchase process, namely the US electric car maker’s most compact four-door saloon, the Model 3. Even more impressively, they can spec the car to their liking before pulling the trigger.
Just as there are many car brands in the world (that do not count Malaysia as an official market), Tesla has arguably been most successful in elbowing its way up the desirability list in relatively short order.
Despite booking one being as easy as filling up a form and swiping your credit card in North America, Europe and other regions, securing one for yourself here is a much more elaborate and fiddly process involving grey market importers and some clever manoeuvring through loopholes. Even then, there’s plenty of variables for something to go a bit wrong, and you’re not guaranteed the exact car you were hoping for.
First of all, no, Tesla isn’t officially involved with Carsome’s method of bringing Malaysian buyers closer to their cars. While customisation options involving cosmetic packages, exterior colour, and add-on equipment packages are supported, these Model 3s are coming from Tesla Japan and Tesla Hong Kong via a partnership with a local importer.
Similar to the purchase experience offered to other Carsome customers, buyers can browse through the platform’s inventory of available Tesla models already in the country, as well as book test drives and the help of a personalised consultant to facilitate arrangements.
However, where the Tesla Model 3’s process differs is the ability for customers to pre-order their own unit. They will essentially be able to access the same level of vehicle customisation that’s on either Tesla’s Japanese or Hong Kong website configurators – subject to availability, of course – including access to the different battery capacities, single or dual electric motors, and performance-related upgrades.
Once the spec of the Model 3 has been dialled in, there’s only the downpayment to settle and some patience to endure the 12 to 16 week period it takes for the vehicle to be delivered. When it’s finally here, Carsome will even aid in the after-sales experience as well as warranty and maintenance claims.
Since Tesla buyers will be making these claims and enquiries through a local intermediary and import partner, we don’t expect it to be as seamless an experience as having Tesla officially in Malaysia. That said, the finer details of this aren’t clear to us, and having a 3rd party on your side is much better than having no support whatsoever.
Carsome has confirmed to us that the pre-order service will expand to include Model S and potentially more models within the Tesla line-up. Should the response from Malaysians meet their expectations, they will be looking to expand this EV pre-order service to other brands as well.
To this end, they are also mulling on the idea of erecting DC fast-charging stations at some – if not most – Carsome physical locations in the future.
Keyword: You Can Spec And Pre-Order A Brand New Tesla Model 3 From Carsome!