Tesla slashes Model S, Model X pricing
TESLA Australia has dramatically readjusted driveaway pricing of its Model S sedan and Model X SUV by up to $87,000 on the back of its parent company’s move to online-only global sales.
While the Model S now kicks off from $136,393 driveaway for the entry-level Standard Range grade, the mid-spec Long Range ($143,366) and flagship Ludicrous Performance ($165,529) variants have fallen by $33,441 and $82,583 respectively.
The Model X’s Long Range ($151,255) and Ludicrous Performance ($171,425) grades have been reduced by an equally significant $31,968 and $86,977 respectively.
All quoted driveaway pricing is based on the Melbourne metro area.
As a result, the list prices for the Model S’ Standard Range ($115,600 plus on-road costs), Long Range ($120,700) and Ludicrous Performance ($136,900) variants, and the Model X’s Long Range ($127,200) and Ludicrous Performance ($142,000) grades, have been adjusted accordingly.
The Model S and Model X’s Long Range and Ludicrous Performance variants were previously called 100D and P100D respectively, while the former’s new Standard Range grade is comparable to the discontinued 90D in regard to driving range (520km on the NEDC cycle).
This nomenclature was first used by the Model 3 sedan that is set for Australian launch mid-year and has just had its targeted $US35,000 ($49,500) starting price for the US market confirmed. It formally kicked off from $US43,000 ($A60,500).
Given that Tesla co-founder and chief executive Elon Musk tweeted in July 2017 that the crucial model will start from the converted US price “plus import duties and sales tax” when it arrives Down Under, this bodes well for local buyers on its waiting list.
However, in order to achieve this lower starting cost, Tesla has decided to close most of its retail stores, exclusively moving to an online sales model that will lead to job losses.
The exact impact on its Australian operations is yet to be revealed.
“Shifting all sales online, combined with other ongoing cost efficiencies, will enable us to lower all vehicle prices by about six per cent on average, allowing us to achieve the $US35,000 Model 3 price point earlier than we expected,” Tesla said in a blog post.
As such, similar price adjustments were made for the Model S and Model X in the US market over the weekend.
2019 Tesla Model S pricing*
| Standard Range (a) | $115,600 |
| Long Range (a) | $120,700 |
| Ludicrous Performance (a) | $136,900 |
*Excludes on-road costs
2019 Tesla Model X pricing*
| Long Range (a) | $127,200 |
| Ludicrous Performance (a) | $142,000 |
*Excludes on-road costs
