Tesla cuts prices in New Zealand on Model 3, Model Y

Wednesday, 24 April 2024

Elon's latest electric car touches down in New Zealand with new looks, more tech, and the weirdest indicators in the world.

Tesla has rolled out its largest local price cuts on its two core models — the Model 3 and Model Y — this year thus far, as part of a spate of global cuts on the two nameplates.

First introduced to the market late last year, the Model 3 sedan was initially priced at $67,990 for the entry-level model and $76,200 for the Long Range. These prices were both recently bumped down to $65,900 and $75,200, respectively.

This week, though, the brand has further lowered those prices. The most affordable grade is now priced from $63,900 plus on-road costs, while the Long Range is $73,900.

The updated Tesla Model 3 features no traditional indicator stalk or drive mode gear selector, a new touchscreen in the rear, and tweaked styling.

The Model Y, meanwhile, had previously been priced at $67,900 for the base model, $77,900 for the Long Range, and $89,900 for the Performance. The trio are now priced from $65,900, $75,900, and $86,900, respectively.

The changes signal the first discounts that have been handed down to Tesla’s new ‘Project Highland’ Model 3 since its market arrival.

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Since it first arrived in New Zealand in 2022, the price for Tesla’s most affordable Model Y has dropped almost $10,000. The variant was initially priced from $76,200. The Model Y Performance’s price has plummeted by more than $20,000, down from its original price of $108,900.

Tesla’s global price tweaks come weeks after the American EV manufacturer confirmed its first year-on-year quarterly international deliveries in four years, amid reported shipping delays and a softening in consumer interest in new cars.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is known to use discounts as a counterweight to market forces, with the brand implementing numerous price changes during the height of the semiconductor shortage.