Tesla has made the decision to temporarily suspend orders for the Model S and X vehicles in Australia, marking a significant development more than two years after their initial release in the United States. Without providing any explicit explanation, the car manufacturer has discreetly removed the option to reserve these models for a price of $400 AUD ($264), leaving behind a new alternative to “Get Updates.” This change applies similarly to New Zealand, the neighboring country of Australia.
The most recent availability of the Model S and X in Australia was observed in 2020. Since the introduction of the revamped S and X models in 2021, only the Model 3 and Model Y have been accessible to Australian customers. It is worth noting that this pattern is consistent across the majority of Tesla’s markets. The Model S and X were initially exclusive to the United States and Canada for almost 18 months before making their debut in mainland Europe last autumn.
Undoubtedly, this news comes as a disappointment to Australians and New Zealanders, as the arrival of the Model S and X in European and Asian markets was just beginning. The delay could be largely attributed to the fact that both Australia and New Zealand follow a right-hand-drive (RHD) system. The production of RHD versions of the Model S and X has yet to commence, and when it does, priority will likely be given to markets such as the United Kingdom and Japan.
In the United States, the starting price of the Model S is currently $89,130, while the Model X is priced at $99,130, which is $10,000 higher. The Long Range Model S offers an impressive EPA range of 405 miles, whereas the Model X can cover 348 miles per charge according to the EPA’s measurements.
Regarding the top-tier Model S Plaid, it recently experienced a price reduction and is now available for $109,130. This high-performance variant can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a jaw-dropping 1.99 seconds. Similarly, the Plaid version of the Model X carries the same price tag of $109,130 and boasts a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 2.5 seconds.
