China Teslas expected here

China-made Tesla Model 3 and Y EVs are expected in Australia and New Zealand.

Speculation this could be the case was reported by EVs and Beyond in September last year, but now Tesla fans say changes in the online configurator for both countries confirm Giga Shanghai will make some of the Model 3 range for here.

They suggest the Tesla Model 3 2021 Standard Range Plus and Long Range will be made in China, with delivery expected to take anywhere between two and 12 weeks depending on the country.

The Performance model is expected to continue coming from Tesla’s US factories, notably Fremont in California.

Tesla has been invited to comment and hasn’t yet given any official explanation, though its public relations division in the US was axed last year.

Production is likely to ramp up in China, the move to source some Teslas from there considered a way of reducing wait times in the Asia-Pacific area and to boost assembly quality.

It’s also reported Shanghai Tesla production could improve driving range for 2021 models, said to reach 508km (NEDC), and that China-made Teslas will have vehicle identification numbers beginning with ‘LRW’.  

The Model 3 was among the best-selling new EVs in both Australia and New Zealand in 2020.

China-built Model Y deliveries are expected to start later this year.