So… Highland is out…

[Steve-R]

If you can wait up to 6 months then I would sit tight for the new model. If you need a car before then I'd get whatever you can get your hands on now.

If you are able to buy "quickly" (e.g. cash) you could wait and be fastest-finger-first. I've been one of the first recipients of new models because when the actual order book opened I placed my order immediately (and I did not hold a prior reservation). Folk who had made a reservation, and assumed that was the batting order, were disappointed.

Why are Oz getting a RHD date prediction and UK not?

I think because Oz is a smaller market it's easier to guarantee them deliveries when they are producing less during the switch over period. I've not seen talk of moving M3 production to Germany, not sure it would make sense as China is closer to the other major RHD markets.

I'll be getting it through salary sacrifice so can't move quickly and wanted to get and finish the contract before my mortgage renewal in just over 3yrs so want to order sooner rather than later so I can at least have fun with it until the mortgage rate jumps for me!

Going to my local Tesla centre next week to have a test drive of the RWD to make a final decision (providing Octopus EV are still accepting orders!)

 

[randompixel]

Not just Aus but Japan, NZ and Thailand all have Highland for delivery Q1, so it is just UK/IRE left out of the RHD party at this time.

 

[WannabeOwner]

I think because Oz is a smaller market it's easier to guarantee them deliveries when they are producing less during the switch over period

Makes perfect sense. But has not been a factor for Tesla in the past!

Delivery is obviously quicker to those local markets, so easier to convert cars-to-cash.

All that points to Tesla being comfortable having zero M3s available in UK market. (And maybe the Antipodean / Asian markets have a preference for Saloon over Hatchback?). I think you might not get RHD Highland M3 in UK until Q2. Especially if Finance / Sacrifice because the lease people can be slow to do the paperwork (flip side might be that they have pre-ordered hundreds, so will then just allocate one to you. Depends on the Lease company ... Flip-a-Coin for the answer to that one, unless someone here has some inside track

 

[MrBadger]

I appreciate the provenance of the sources, but surely they would have known this at the design stage (and not touted a RHD from the outset)?

Surely that would mean that Tesla have thought about development before they have announced its availability and how good it is going to be…

 

[FastLaneJB]

Well thats at odds with pretty much everyone including a number of Tesla staff for thinking that. I kind of think people in the RHD markets may have followed the RHD story closer than someone who's not.

One guy even told me that they looked at introducing a MS+ rear wheel drive only version a bit like the the old P85+ but that was ruled out due to the small numbers.

Right but the rumours suggest only the rear motor would be carbon wrapped so as long as Elon's next idea isn't to move the seating wheel to the back so back seat driving really does become a thing we'd be good

 

[FastLaneJB]

I haven't read the entire thread or much about Highland so apologies if this has been discussed.

Are Tesla going to be offering any incentives to people trading up from the previous M3 to the new one?

Yes but only the day after you buy one and your return window expires

 

[Irata]

Now the home page of the Tesla website for the UK is showing the upgraded model 3, the new headlights are obvious. The order page is still the previous model.

Electric Cars, Solar & Clean Energy | Tesla

Tesla is accelerating the world's transition to sustainable energy with electric cars, solar and integrated renewable energy solutions for homes and businesses.

www.tesla.com

 

[Jason71]

I see some video reviews of the Highland are starting to appear. Rory did one for autotrader.

Is it me being cynical or does it appear that the location Tesla have chosen to hand out the press cars appears to be in rural France in the sort of location that does not have a roundabout within 100miles radius. Coincidence ,
I believe France actually has more roundabouts than any other country on Earth so you have to go pretty rural to avoid them but it looks like Tesla may just have made the effort

 

[HaggisMan]

Yes there also isn’t a mention of indicator stalk removal on the website too afaik.

I think we are going to see a few less informed punters voicing their disappointment come January delivery time (and umpteen tabloid articles about it too)

 

[spdpsba]

(and umpteen tabloid articles about it too)

And what about TMC threads and legal challenges saying why it is not appropriate for Britain. I’ve decided I am not going to click on those threads.

 

[Durzel]

I see some video reviews of the Highland are starting to appear. Rory did one for autotrader.

Is it me being cynical or does it appear that the location Tesla have chosen to hand out the press cars appears to be in rural France in the sort of location that does not have a roundabout within 100miles radius. Coincidence ,
I believe France actually has more roundabouts than any other country on Earth so you have to go pretty rural to avoid them but it looks like Tesla may just have made the effort

lol so there's no front fogs at all... brilliant.

 

[ACarneiro]

And what about TMC threads and legal challenges saying why it is not appropriate for Britain. I’ve decided I am not going to click on those threads.

Oh, but you wiiiilllll

 

[ACarneiro]

lol so there's no front fogs at all... brilliant.

If they’re saving on indicator stalks then that makes perfect sense…

 

[LiamPope]

(and umpteen tabloid articles about it too)

I'm sure I've already seen 'I'm an EV expert and I wouldn't buy a Tesla for this one reason' or words to that effect, and it was about the stalks, so yeah we will!

 

[Mark89052]

I'm sure I've already seen 'I'm an EV expert and I wouldn't buy a Tesla for this one reason' or words to that effect, and it was about the stalks, so yeah we will!

Yes seen those stories pop up on Apple News (generally Sun or Mail) since ‘Highland’ was officially announced so should be no excuses but hope it easy to get used to

 

[WannabeOwner]

Yes seen those stories pop up on Apple News (generally Sun or Mail)

Just got off the phone to Elon. He said he's thrilled with the free advertising ...

 

[Mark89052]

Short review here, interesting trip around a roundabout about half way through

 

[Pagemakers]

Anybody know how autopilot is engaged/disengaged on the highland?

 

[randompixel]

Pressing the right wheel. Depends on your settings it might be once for Autosteer, or once for TACC and again for Autosteer

You can read the manual in English, just not for the UK version yet. https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/model3/en_is/GUID-101D1BF5-52D2-469A-A57D-E7230BBEE94B.html

 

[FastLaneJB]

I see some video reviews of the Highland are starting to appear. Rory did one for autotrader.

Is it me being cynical or does it appear that the location Tesla have chosen to hand out the press cars appears to be in rural France in the sort of location that does not have a roundabout within 100miles radius. Coincidence ,
I believe France actually has more roundabouts than any other country on Earth so you have to go pretty rural to avoid them but it looks like Tesla may just have made the effort

A quick google tells me they should have used Highway 85 in Saudi Arabia which is 510miles of straight road