Tesla announced the prices for the new Model S and Model X in China, which are not produced locally. The Model S is available in two versions: a regular version with dual motors and all-wheel drive, and a Plaid version with three motors and all-wheel drive.
The Model S starts at RMB 789,900 ($115,000) and the Model S Plaid starts at RMB 1,009,900. The Model X is also available in two versions: a regular version with dual-motor all-wheel drive and a Plaid version with tri-motor all-wheel drive. The Model X starts at RMB 879,900 and the Model X Plaid starts at RMB 1,039,900. Chinese consumers who order both the Model S and Model X can get a free optional Yoke steering wheel or standard steering wheel.
Tesla did not mention when deliveries of these models will begin in China, though it is expected to be in the second quarter. In addition to the new Model S and Model X, Tesla also significantly reduced the prices of the Model 3 and Model Y in China.
In September 2020, Tesla unveiled the Model S Plaid in the US, which features three motors and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 1.99 seconds. The company began delivering the Model S Plaid in the US in early June 2021, but removed the more capable Plaid+ model.
In late November 2021, Tesla CEO Elon Musk mentioned that the Model S Plaid could come to China in March 2022, and at that time, the Model S Plaid was listed at a price of RMB 1,059,990 on Tesla’s China website. However, this information was later removed from the website.
On October 11, 2021, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced a list of new energy vehicles that are exempt from vehicle purchase tax, and the Model S and Model X were included on the list. In the US, the Tesla Model S starts at $104,990, the Model S Plaid at $135,990, the Model X at $120,990, and the Model X Plaid at $138,990.
