First customer roadster in Europe?

[TEG]

Tesla first owner in Germany

 

[Cobos]

If you look at this article, it says in Norwegian that Reidar Langmo is number 24 on Tesla's waiting list. That means he should have been given his car now right ? And hence be the first in Europe?

Cobos

 

[TEG]

But wouldn't a sig 100 brought to Europe be considred "gray market"? The ones specifically made for Europe probably have different certifications stickers and such.

 

[vfx]

But haven't we all known that there have been a handful of buyers in Europe who bought a Tesla first-round totally sight unseen - local laws be dammed?

 

[TEG]

Yeah, but the guy in the link I posted says his is the first certified one (e.g.: official European model, not a US model transported over).

Is he the guy that bought 11 at once? Perhaps he gets special treatment for that!

 

[vfx]

Yep, It's him.
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/news-articles-events/1659-german-dude-orders-11-roadsters.html
Anyone who places a million dollar order gets well-deserved special treatment.

 

[Alpine Driver]

In general, it should not be possible that it is a official EU version.
I learned from darryl, that the reason why tesla officially starts selling in europe in may 2009 is that a legislation change for small vehicle manufacturers in the EU takes place on April 30th. So first official sales can start in may.
(there are some exemptions for small manufacturers from abroad; they do not have to meet some standards which are usualy necessary for distribution a vehicle in the EU; e.g. some pedestrian safety rules.)
Therefore, a car NOW would not qualify for that exemptions.
In general, it would be possible to use a US car and do a "Einzelgenehmigung" (single approval); which might allow you to get a licence on some tricky way, but decreases the value of the car.
On the other hand, the car in the picture does not have any licence plates. So maybe it is simply operated with dealer "test" plates.
Or, more likely, the report uses wrong facts.