Tesla has told motoring.com.au that the company fully intends to bring the Model S sedan to Australia. For Aussie buyers there won't be any tax concessions, as there are in the USA, but at least buyers shouldn't be slugged the full amount for Luxury Car Tax.
Wait a moment, back up a bit. What exactly is the Model S, anyway?
The new Tesla — not to be confused with the Lotus-designed Roadster — is electric powered, right? Check. And it's a large car with four doors, around the same size as a BMW 5 Series, right? Check again. In fact, it will seat seven, as long as two are kids who don't mind watching the world go by through the rear window of a car.
The Model S is built in California by Tesla, the company that has formed strategic alliances with both Daimler AG (for the smart fortwo EV) and Toyota — the two companies worked together on the development of the electric RAV4. Jerome Guillen, Tesla's Model S Program Director advised that the car will be built in right-hand drive and yes, it will come to Australia, "Probably mid-2013".
But how many of the cars will Tesla sell here — and for how much? Guillen wasn't saying, but could provide numbers to help with the guessing.
"In the US the car is between $60,000 and $80,000 — US dollars — before any federal tax rebate. Of course, you can do your own math..."
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