In a recent development, Tesla has halted production of right-hand drive (RHD) versions of its popular Model S and Model X vehicles in the UK and various other countries. As a result, the electric vehicle manufacturer faced the challenge of accommodating British customers who still required access to the right-hand side of their cars. To address this issue, Tesla has come up with a distinctive yet intriguing solution dubbed “The Reacher,” a tool featuring the company’s branding.
The decision to discontinue the production of RHD variants of the Model S and Model X was made in May of this year, with the aim of streamlining production processes and enhancing quality. Customers who had previously placed orders for RHD models were presented with three options: cancel their order, choose a right-hand drive Model Y or Model 3 with a £2,000 credit, or accept a left-hand drive version of the originally ordered vehicle.
Wow my photo is doing the rounds – it’s an absolute weapon of a vehicle MXPlaid – but to clarify – nobody forced me to buy it . . . . @TeslaOwnersUK (p.s the plate has changed now to my personal one) https://t.co/0vhEp5a9v5 pic.twitter.com/U6RkYph3OU
— TonyWootts (@Tonywootts) June 30, 2023
In an effort to assist reservation holders in assessing the feasibility of operating a left-hand drive vehicle in their daily routines, Tesla organized test drive events that lasted for nearly a month, concluding on June 30th. Contrary to certain reports, the company did not impose any obligations on customers to make a purchase, as confirmed by a new Model X owner on Twitter.
Nevertheless, Tesla has introduced “The Reacher” as an accessory to aid owners of left-hand drive vehicles in accessing items located on the right-hand side of their cars. Early demonstrations by some users online have shown that this tool allows them to retrieve food (although the effectiveness with drinks remains uncertain) from drive-thru windows, insert key cards, and perform other tasks without the need to exit the vehicle.
While this may not be the most practical solution for driving on British roads, it represents a step forward compared to other automakers who solely offer left-hand drive models in markets where driving occurs on the left side of the road. It remains to be seen whether Tesla Model S and Model X owners will consistently utilize “The Reacher” in their daily lives, although some may find it to be a useful tool.
Even if owners opt not to use “The Reacher” regularly, there is a notable possibility that they could sell the accessory online at a premium. Tesla’s limited-edition novelty items often fetch higher prices on the secondary market compared to their initial cost from the automaker.
Tesla’s latest product just for the UK market… 😂😜😢 (yes really) pic.twitter.com/JsvELtZEjk
— Tesla Owners UK 🇬🇧 (@TeslaOwnersUK) June 25, 2023
Not my photo: a grabber for LHD Model S and X in the UK pic.twitter.com/ppzl0ABoJK
— Andrew Goodlad (@GoodladAndrew) June 25, 2023
