Tesla has quietly stopped selling right-hand drive (RHD) versions of its Model S sedan and Model X SUV in Australia and New Zealand. The electric carmaker’s move has drawn the ire of potential buyers in those countries who have pre-ordered the Model X and Model S. However, the automaker said those affected buyers now have the option of getting a refund or buying a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y instead.
Tesla’s websites in Australia and New Zealand display a straightforward notice at the top saying the Model S and Model X are not available for order, and the specs shown are for the US models. The move follows Tesla’s decision to stop production of RHD versions of the Model X and Model Y. The automaker blamed mechanical and logistical hurdles as the reason.
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Australia and New Zealand aren’t the only countries, with Tesla implementing similar measures in other RHD markets, including the UK, Ireland, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. After Tesla decided to discontinue the Model S and Model X in Australia and New Zealand, some buyers expressed their outrage on social media, which is understandable, as some of them have been waiting for their cars since 2020. reserved vehicle.
However, in markets where Tesla sells RHD versions of its cars, the car company continues to sell LHD models. The automaker’s Japanese and UK websites mention that the Model X and Model S are still available in the UK, Ireland, Thailand and Japan, albeit in LHD configurations.
In the UK, the EV brand is offering pre-orders the option to buy the LHD versions of the Model S and Model X, switch to the RHD versions of the Model 3 or Model Y, or cancel the order entirely for a full refund. The Australian and New Zealand markets have also adopted the same strategy.
First published date: Jun 3, 2023 at 11:05 AM CST
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