Tesla pricing changes, again

TESLA has adjusted pricing of both its Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV for the second time in as many months, the ask for a Model Y Performance slashed again – to $95,300 before on-road costs – as long-awaited Australian deliveries commence.

Last month a Model Y Performance started at $98,435 + ORC, a reduction of $3177 compared with the beginning of this year, while those taking delivery on models ordered now – estimated to arrive this month or next according to the Tesla website – stand to save a further $3135.

All other Tesla models have gone up by a modest $400, the 3 and Y now respectively beginning from $64,300 and $69,300 plus on-road costs.

Last month, entry prices dropped to $63,900 + ORC for the Model 3 and and $68,900 + ORC for the Model Y, ostensibly to help Tesla cement its sales leadership as competition in the battery electric vehicle (BEV) market hots up.

Access to the Model 3 is still $1200 less expensive than it was at the beginning of this year while the mid-tier Long Range some $2700 more affordable (at $77,300 + ORC) and range-topping Performance $1300 and cheaper (now from $90,300 + ORC).

In base single motor, rear-wheel drive form the Model 3 offers an output of 190kW and 375Nm, features a WLTP driving range of 491km, a 0-100km/h time of 6.1 seconds and a DC fast charging capacity of 170kW.

The Long Range (dual motor all-wheel drive) variant ups output numbers to 307kW/510Nm, provides a driving range of up to 602km (WLTP) and  0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds while the 353kW/639Nm flagship Performance can travel 547km (WLTP) on a single charge, hit 100km/h in 3.3 seconds. Both these big battery variants also have DC fast charging capacity of 250kW.

At $69,300 plus ORCs, the rear-drive single motor Model Y SUV range is still $3000 cheaper than it was in January, offers output figures of 220kW and 420Nm, a 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds, WLTP driving range of 455km and can receive DC fast charging at up to 170kW.

Flagship Model Y Performance ups the ante to 413kW and 660Nm brining the 0-100km/h dash down to just 3.7 seconds. Tesla says the Model Y can travel 514km (WLTP) on a single charge and accept DC fast charging at up to 250kW.

The Tesla Model 3 was Australia’s best-selling medium passenger vehicle, electric or otherwise, in 2022 with 10,877 deliveries across the 12-month period. The Model Y achieved similarly strong results in the medium SUV over $60K category with 8717 sales over the same period.

Year to date, the Model 3 accounts for 5598 of the 7917 medium passenger cars sold in Australia, while the Model Y continues to dominate its segment with 1231 deliveries representing a 24 per cent share.

March 2023 Tesla Model 3 pricing*:

March 2023 Tesla Model Y pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.