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Right Hand Drive Roadster

Discussion in 'Roadster' started by AndrewBissell, Jun 19, 2009.

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  1. AndrewBissell

    AndrewBissell Member

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    #1 AndrewBissell, Jun 19, 2009
    I got email today from Don Cochrane of Tesla in the UK saying that next year Tesla will offer Right Hand Drive models.

    This is a significant indicator in my view of good company health and credible market expansion in prospect.

    Right Hand Drive models obviously open up UK sales much more. My speculation is that the UK alone wouldn't be enough reason to do this (presumably) costly development. I speculate that it prefigures the Japan launch of Tesla, and I predict one of the 2010 Tesla store launches will be Tokyo.

    Andrew
     
  2. dpeilow

    dpeilow Moderator

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    #2 dpeilow, Jun 19, 2009
    Good news - possibly it opens up Australia more, as I understand the Japanese see having LHD as cool.
     
  3. AndrewBissell

    AndrewBissell Member

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    #3 AndrewBissell, Jun 19, 2009
    Looking at the email again, I see I skim-read it. Specifically mentioned were Japan and ... Australia! Well done dpeilow. Bets on first store? Tokyo, Sydney, Perth, Osaka, ...?
     
  4. meloccom

    meloccom Moderator Aus/NZ

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    #4 meloccom, Jun 20, 2009
    Don't forget Hong Kong.
    It's a small place with lots of wealthy people and you are required to have somewhere to park your car to get it registered so most will have somewhere to charge. That would be my pick for the first Asian sale office.
    As for Australia I want it to be Sydney, as I live there, but it will probably be Melbourne as Project Better Place has headquartered there.
    As soon as they announce a RHD model S I'm ready to put my deposit down.
     
  5. dpeilow

    dpeilow Moderator

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    #5 dpeilow, Jun 28, 2009
  6. dpeilow

    dpeilow Moderator

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    #6 dpeilow, Jul 7, 2009
  7. doug

    doug Administrator / Head Moderator

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    #7 doug, Sep 28, 2009
    Greentech Media: Tesla Soon in Asia, Wrong Side of Road

     
  8. MARKEDMOND1

    MARKEDMOND1 New Member

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    #8 MARKEDMOND1, Sep 28, 2009
    I have a left hand drive model and it is OK to drive in the UK
     
  9. doug

    doug Administrator / Head Moderator

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    #9 doug, Sep 28, 2009
    Yes LHD is OK in the UK, but certainly RHD is preferable unless you're a mailman. =)
     
  10. dpeilow

    dpeilow Moderator

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    #10 dpeilow, Sep 28, 2009
    Or driving a road sweeper.
     
  11. pjo

    pjo New Member

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    #11 pjo, Nov 19, 2009
    Is Luxuary Car Tax applicable to Tesla Roadstar ?

    Thanks.
     
  12. dpeilow

    dpeilow Moderator

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    #12 dpeilow, Nov 19, 2009
    Presuming you are an Aussie (asking about LCT): Wikipedia says the following:-

    Which implies it is applicable if there is no additional category available to EVs.
     
  13. meloccom

    meloccom Moderator Aus/NZ

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    #13 meloccom, Nov 19, 2009
    When I talked to Simon Hackett he said that his Tesla was subject to all the normal taxes of a motor vehicle even though it was initially brought in to Australia on a temporary basis for "Testing and demonstration" purposes only. I didn't ask him if the higher fuel efficient luxury car tax threshold applied but I would imagine it would.
    Still given a US$125,000 Roadster, after import duty 5%, GST 10% and LCT 33% (for amounts above $75,000) I think you will still have little change out of Aus$200,000.:frown:
     
  14. doug

    doug Administrator / Head Moderator

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    #14 doug, Feb 1, 2010
  15. bobw

    bobw Tesla Reader

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    #15 bobw, Feb 2, 2010
    You might be a little more likely to have to get back out of the car to unplug it, though. Have any current owners had to do that?
     
  16. mpt

    mpt Electrics are back

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    #16 mpt, Feb 2, 2010
    Re: Right Hand Drive Roadster announced for Q1 2010

    Yes, too often but I have found that I can at least close the charge port door when I leave that open without getting out.
     
  17. TEG

    TEG TMC Moderator

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    #17 TEG, Feb 2, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 4, 2010
    Those are some nicely done pictures of those RHD roadsters!

    Anyone else notice the fogged up headlight housings in this one:
    4323481721_f3bf6ab947_b.jpg


    Moderator's note: Subsequent discussion on airbags moved here.
     
  18. TEG

    TEG TMC Moderator

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    #18 TEG, Feb 5, 2010
  19. AndrewBissell

    AndrewBissell Member

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    #19 AndrewBissell, Mar 31, 2010
    Taken Delivery of RHD EU Signature 222 Today

    I felt it was appropriate to use this thread to announce with pride having finally taken the plunge to Tesla Roadster ownership today.

    I took delivery at the Tesla Store in London of a Signature Edition with VIN 222 of 250.

    It's a right hand drive model in Obsidian Black.

    More info to follow. Right now it's back at the store for further work before delivery out.
     
  20. doug

    doug Administrator / Head Moderator

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    #20 doug, Mar 31, 2010
    Congrats!
     
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