Thailand is one of those markets where cars are unbearably expensive, thanks to import duties and local taxes. Tesla has not officially sold its cars in the country, although there are plenty on the roads, even the Bangkok Police Department has a fleet of Model 3 vehicles as of 2020.
Tesla decided it was time to fix this situation, and both Model 3both Model Yofficially launched in Thailand at prices that would likely beat private importers. In the base RWD spec, the Model 3 starts at around $50,730 at current exchange rates, while the Model Y RWD starts at $56,500.
The Model 3 Long Range can also be ordered for $57,654, and the Performance version comes in at $66,595. The same goes for the Model Y – Long Range starts at $65,153 and Performance starts at $72,363.
While prices are about $10,000 higher than in the US, it’s considered reasonable for the Thai market. The entry-level BMW 5 Series starts at just over $85,000 in Thailand, while the same car costs $54,000 in the US – that’s a pretty big difference.
Interestingly, the standard color for both Model 3 and Model Y in Thailand is Solid Black. US and European customers get White as the standard option, while in Thailand this color is an optional extra.
No word yet on delivery schedules, but that shouldn’t take too long. Thailand is a much shorter distance from Giga Shanghai than Europe, and with Tesla sales in China calming down, the company will ensure that it delivers its cars to a new market without any delays.
A similar situation exists in Turkey. In a very short time (I’m waiting in the first months of 2023), we will see Tesla officially in our country. Even the installation of Tesla Superchargers in many points of Turkey has been completed.
The only missing launch. Well, of course, there is also the price structure. As you know, the SCT rates are quite high in our country, and unfortunately, this also applies to electric vehicles. An additional excise tax of approximately 60% will be reflected in Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. We will wait and see the sale prices together.