Importing tesla model s into south america

[johnratty]

Hey Tesla Motors Club members,

I am Australian living in Argentina and want to import a Tesla Model S.

How long does it take to charge a 85kwh Model S on 240volts 50 hz standard power outlet that we use here in argentina... Similar to the European standards.

Will the GPS work ? Do I need to use my phone GPS on bluetooth paired to the touchscreen to get the mapping to work on the 17inch screen.

Any Chileans and or Mexicans that have been through this experience already feel free to let me know how things worked out for you guys.

Thanks.

 

[jbcarioca]

I have no experience with Argentina or Chile but I do have with Brazil. I tried for more than a year to get permission to import one in Brazil but it was not permitted because the car is not homologated anywhere in Mercosur (Brazil would have accepted, they said, certification from any other Mercosur country as basis for Brazil import approval). In any event I could notget permission. A few months ago Brazil exempted BEV's from import duties so maybe there is a chance.

Tesla, at the same time explicitly told me there would be no support, no warranty protection, no firmware updates, no cellular coverage, no GPS database and no assistance of any kind, even if the car were shipped back to the US for servicing. Following the change in Brazilian policy I was told that Brazil and Mercosur distribution was a topic of long range interest. I was given the understanding that they will not consider beginning until the production lines have caught up with demand elsewhere.

I gave up, bought a P85D in Miami and bought a condominium with parking to store it. Now I often go to Miami to visit my car.:love: That is actually true.

 

[Atlantis]

. Following the change in Brazilian policy I was told that Brazil and Mercosur distribution was a topic of long range interest. I was given the understanding that they will not consider beginning until the production lines have caught up with demand elsewhere.

Well, that's a first step. And with the new policy in solar power and net metering model in place, maybe Tesla will begin to saw more interest in Brazil as a market for Tesla Power wall batteries and, then for Tesla car sales. As a Brazilian (by birth) I would love to see a Tesla Factory to produce Tesla III and future Tesla pick up for South American market and Africa, but not before Chinese and European factories, so not before 2022 - 2025 at least.

 

[Ames]

Hi John,

I can share my experience importing to Abu Dhabi, UAE.

It takes nearly 2 days to charge a 90 kWh battery from 0 to 100% on a normal 240 V 10 amp plug. To be more realistic, my daily commute consumes 15% of my battery and I can easily get that back and much more in 12 hours. Why not install a more powerful supply like 3 phase 16 amps or 32 amps which allows you to charge at over 50 km/h or 100 km/h. You will need dual chargers for the 32 amp option.

The turn-by-turn navigation will not work but google maps will. You can use the 17" screen to find places and place a pin which you can see relative to your current location. It works but it's not the same as turn-by-turn which uses an onboard Navigon map. I'm not sure if the Mexican Teslas cover south America - you could check with them.

We have over 20 cars in the UAE and we recently flew in a Tesla ranger to do all sorts of odd jobs such as service, battery replacement, dual charger installation, upgrade to Ludicrous, and installation of a local SIM card (recommended).

It is a lot of fun taking the car for registration and watching them search for the engine and a place to put the emissions probe.

Alex

 

[meloccom]

Hey Tesla Motors Club members,

I am Australian living in Argentina and want to import a Tesla Model S.

How long does it take to charge a 85kwh Model S on 240volts 50 hz standard power outlet that we use here in argentina... Similar to the European standards.

Will the GPS work ? Do I need to use my phone GPS on bluetooth paired to the touchscreen to get the mapping to work on the 17inch screen.

Any Chileans and or Mexicans that have been through this experience already feel free to let me know how things worked out for you guys.

Thanks.

240 Volts and 10 Amps will charge a Model S at about 10 Km/h so about 2 days flat to full. Fortunately you're rarely in the position where you need to execute a full charge. In most cases you will plug in after a day's usage and replace what you used that day whilst you are asleep which is about 100Km per night. I would recommend you consider installing a compatible wall connector in your garage to speed your charging.

The first thing to consider is what country where a Model S is sold has the most similar electricity system to Argentina, this is most likely a European country. So although you are in the South America a North American specification Model S may not be the correct one for your situation. I recommend you seek professional advice regarding your electrical situation.

Although likely compatible an Australia Model S is probably the last place you want to get one due to our heavy Luxury Car Tax which is not refundable when you export the car. Tesla has so far declined to sell in New Zealand and most of these seem to have come directly from The Netherlands.

Then finally you need to be sure the local authorities will allow you to import and register your car and what taxes and charges apply. To a large degree local specialist car clubs and importers should be able to help you answer those questions.

Finally if you purchase it new through a Tesla centre it would be a good idea to mail them an Argentinian SIM card for them to install behind the 17" screen to give you data access. This should allow the google maps in the centre console to work, however the Turn by Turn Navigon navigation is unlikely to work as it relies in internal maps that would not cover Argentina.

If you get through all that, without any Tesla support you could be up for significant expense when things go wrong but at least with data access Tesla can diagnose your car remotely assuming they are willing to do so.
Good luck.

 

[Atlantis]

It is a lot of fun taking the car for registration and watching them search for the engine and a place to put the emissions probe.

Alex

It was so cruel from you to let them to be lost as that...Joking.
More seriously, such pleasant moment deserves to be registered in the "Tesla Moments"'s thread...

 

[Jon.sabb]

Hi John,

I live in Argentina and I also want to import a car. Did you have any luck?

 

[Tam]

...Did you have any luck?

That was 6 years ago, but now Tesla is selling in Mexico. Would that make any difference if you import from Mexico instead of the US?

 

[jbcarioca]

You will probably want a European rather than NA spec car because the charger plug for Europe is Menekkes normally the EV plug in Mercosul where they exist. In practice you'll need adapters to the plugs you have available to you. You might want to check if there are BMW ChargePoint's anywhere or CHAdeMO, mostly for Nissan. There is an adapter available for both.

Tesla has accepted Model 3 reservations for Brazil, I have one as do other people. Realistically we do not expect them anytime soon.

I suggest checking with other people who have imported Tesla to unsupported
Countries. My impression is that the major problems are lack of software updates, GPS mapping data, and heaven help you if you have a problem.

 

[johnratty]

Hi John,

I live in Argentina and I also want to import a car. Did you have any luck?

Hi Jon, No I didn't . But like the Brazilian guy JB got his fix by investing in the US I am investigating my options in overseas markets.

 

[johnratty]

That was 6 years ago, but now Tesla is selling in Mexico. Would that make any difference if you import from Mexico instead of the US?

Nice point Tam. I even hear Tesla has registered their company in Chile so keeps getting more interesting.

 

[jbcarioca]

Nice point Tam. I even hear Tesla has registered their company in Chile so keeps getting more interesting.

I was told that both Chille and Argentina will be open for Tesla orders within the next "year or so". I believe them since once Tesla has entered one Mercosur country the vehicles will be good for all of them. The question is when, and those of us with Brazilian Model 3 reservations are anxious to know the answer.

 

[jsbattig]

I'm moving to Uruguay in July 2017. Cars are so expensive there (taxes) that was I going to trade two Audis and a 2006 DB9 for two Hyundais (no kidding). Not sure now if may be worth waiting for Tesla to land in Mercosur maybe I can get a Model 3 in Montevideo. I asked support people on Tesla site over chat, but of course they won't tell you anything concrete other than "we are in Mexico now!".

 

[jbcarioca]

I'm moving to Uruguay in July 2017. Cars are so expensive there (taxes) that was I going to trade two Audis and a 2006 DB9 for two Hyundais (no kidding). Not sure now if may be worth waiting for Tesla to land in Mercosur maybe I can get a Model 3 in Montevideo. I asked support people on Tesla site over chat, but of course they won't tell you anything concrete other than "we are in Mexico now!".

It's quite likely that Model 3 will be available in Uruguay when it arrives in Brazil. The question is how service. And Superchargers will be handled. If other such locations are a guide it will probably be mostly roving service technicians. If the eye will get to Porto Alegre they'll probably get to Uruguay also, especially because there is so much Brazil tourism there. Certainly Destination charging should be widely available. So now we wait!

 

[jsbattig]

Well, may postpone the purchase of the second car and make do with the family car in the meantime... I really want to get a Tesla as my next car, just happened to coincide with moving to South America!

 

[jbcarioca]

Sadly there are not even PHEV currently sold in Uruguay AFAIK.

 

[jsbattig]

Hyundai Ionic was recently launched in Uruguay. I have not seen it yet in person, and I don't know what models are available but it caught my attention now that I'm looking to replace my US fleet with reasonable priced vehicles in there, and also accounting for the high price of gasoline

 

[jbcarioca]

Hyundai Ionic was recently launched in Uruguay. I have not seen it yet in person, and I don't know what models are available but it caught my attention now that I'm looking to replace my US fleet with reasonable priced vehicles in there, and also accounting for the high price of gasoline

The Ionic launched in Uruguay and Brazil is the non-PHEV. They claim, at least for Brazil, that the PHEV and BEV will also be sold here. In the meantime the Prius is sold here for prices that begin at US$41,000, quite rich for them given exemption from most import duties and near-total exemption from road taxes in the biggest States. There is no information yet on Ionic pricing in Brazil. I also could not find it for Uruguay, but dealerships are about the only authoritative source for Uruguay pricing so far as I know
The recession probably has slowed other entrants. There were a few Leaf in Rio and Sampa and they are still sold for fleet use only. BYD is available, the E6, in Brazil. I was told by a BYD employee (in Fortaleza of all places) that they were "just about to launch" for Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. I have no idea if the information was correct, but BYD often starts on very small scale, so if you're interested in them it's probably a good idea to call them directly. I am still waiting for the Model 3, with my aging ICE serving in the meantime for my Rio needs. Given fuel costs and taxes the Prius or Ionic might be good bets, if you can actually find one.

 

[jsbattig]

Ionic goes for U$S 47900 in Montevideo. It's available as of right now there.

 

[johnratty]

For Argentina for now I am going to buy a Honda Fit (imported for Mexico) as a family car. I also think that they need to reduce the import taxes on cars before I would consider anything luxury here. A Toyota Prius here cost around $60,000 USD so too pricey to consider. Sticking to renting or leasing a Tesla in Australia as a way to get my hands on a Tesla.