Tesla dashes Model S/X SA dreams by ending right-hand-drive

The long rumoured and much awaited arrival of Tesla in South Africa has been dealt a further blow after the automaker announced that production of its flagship models, the Model S and Model X, will no longer involve the steering wheel on the right.

See Musk’s response below

Model 3 and Model Y still RHD

Although sales of the smaller Model 3 and Model Y are reportedly still taking place with right-hand-drive, the cancellation of the Model S and Model X has not been universally welcomed by buyers in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia who in some cases, have been waiting for more than two years for their orders to be fulfilled.

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In a statement to buyers widely circulated on social media, the now Austin, Texas-based electric automaker said, “due to recent changes to the vehicle program, [Model X and Model S] will not be available in right-hand-drive. Unfortunately, this means your order is unable to be fulfilled and will be cancelled. You will receive a full refund for any payments made”.

Why cancel?

Despite not revealing exact details for the decision, an unnamed Tesla spokesperson subsequently told Britain’s Autocar the cancellation would not only allow it to ramp-up global production, but also reduce the apparent complexity associated with moving the steering gear from the left to the right.

The representative further added that the move would allow the automaker to pay greater attention to its quality that has consistently attracted significant criticism for being unacceptable for a premium brand as evident by persistent recalls in the United States.

Settlement

As compensation for waiting Model S and Model X owners in the UK and Japan, Tesla has offered either a price credit that comes with downgrading to a Model Y or Model 3, the opportunity to have their orders cancelled with a full refund as mentioned, or to keep their original order and receive a left-hand-drive model allowed under each country’s law to be driven on the road.

Buyers in Australia and New Zealand meanwhile have received the same choice, though not the latter as a result of left-hand-drive cars being banned.

Interest will not be fulfilled

Despite having a presence in South Africa though its Tesla Powerwall, and indeed by renewable energies firm, Rubicon, who owns the only Model X in the country, the automaker, headed by South African-born Elon Musk, is unlikely to enter the market anytime soon in spite of mounting interest despite the worsening electricity crisis.

While having previously admitted to considering a local market entry, Musk, responding to a replay on twitter in 2019 as to when Tesla will be making local landfall, said, “would love to, but import duties are extremely high, even for electric vehicles”.

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