American electric automaker Tesla has reportedly stopped selling the right-hand-drive (RHD) Model S and X in Australia and New Zealand. Mechanical and logistical hurdles apparently influence the decision.
Tesla’s Australian website currently displays a direct message at the top that the models are no longer available for order. The same applies to Australia’s neighbor, New Zealand, along with other RHD markets like Hong Kong and Singapore.
Affected customers will receive a full refund or the chance to purchase the popular Tesla Model 3 or Y with a $2000 credit (3000 Australian dollars).
Model S/X availability problems
InsideEVs reported that Tesla’s last record of selling the Model S and X in Australia was in 2020, about three years ago.
That said, Tesla has only been selling the Model 3 and Y to the Australian market since the revamped Model S and X launch in 2021.
However, it must be noted that Tesla’s other key markets also have a similar issue regarding the Model S and X’s availability. In fact, these two luxury cars were only initially available in the US and Canadian markets for nearly 18 months. They only became available in Europe in the fall of 2022.
Having said that, the S and X were only beginning to enter the markets in Europe and Asia, so this is obviously terrible news for Australian and New Zealander customers.
Customers expressed their disappointment on social media, especially considering that some of them have been waiting since 2020.
“A bit sad. Cybertruck order was canceled and now Model S Plaid. Still happy to have an RHD Model X already. Now apparently a collector’s item. Would be super interested in anyone doing conversions from LHD to RHD in Australia. Would happily import one from the US to do so.”
Affected customer @BennyShoogs
Model S/X in the US
For reference, The Model S has a base price of $89,130 in the US. Meanwhile, the Model X starts at $99,130, which is $10,000 more expensive. The Long Range Model S offers an EPA-estimated range of 405 miles, while the X has 348 miles range.
The higher-end trim Model S Plaid’s price dropped to $109,130 after Tesla’s latest price cuts. It has an acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in just 1.99 seconds. On the other hand, the Model X Plaid starts at $109,130, with an acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds.
See Also:
- Tesla to end Model S and X sales in RHD markets, like UK and Australia
- Australian Tesla Model S customers disappointed with long waits
- Tesla Model S/X won Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value award for 2023
- Tesla entices legacy Tesla Model S/X owners to upgrade to a new car with a $5,000 Trade-in Credit
- Tesla Model S & X Plaid land in Germany for customer deliveries
Tesla’s move to halt Model S and X orders will undoubtedly disappoint their customers in the affected markets. Unfortunately, the future availability of the RHD Model S and X in certain markets is still uncertain.
