In a bold move that is sure to shock the world, Tesla has announced the latest addition to their popular vehicles in China: the Model S and Model X. That’s right, folks, the same car that has been on the market for quite some time now, just with a slightly higher price tag. But wait, there’s more! Not only will these cars cost you an arm and a leg, they’ll also come without the prestigious Tesla logo on the back. That’s right, in a move straight out of a cost-cutting handbook, Tesla has decided to remove their iconic “T” logo and replace it with a cheap and generic “TESLA” lettering.
Do note that, this news comes from a Chinese blog, and hence this may be limited to the Chinese market only. However, if Tesla implemented it in the Chinese market, then they can definitely do in the global market.
Tesla removes the “T” logo on rear of the car to cut costs?
It’s unclear whether this decision was made for design reasons or for cost control considerations, but one thing is for certain: it must be simpler to make an English logo in the trim. After all, the “T” logo needs to be made separately, and it needs to be adhered to the vehicle, and the cost should be higher. But why stop at just removing the logo? Why not also remove the wheels, the engine, and the seats, while you’re at it? That would surely save some cost.
In all seriousness, this decision by Tesla to remove the logo from their cars is a baffling one, and it remains to be seen how it will impact sales. Many Tesla fans may feel that the company is losing touch with its roots and prioritizing profits over principles. Only time will tell if this cost-cutting measure will pay off for the electric vehicle.
Tesla Model S/X enters the Chinese market
As Tesla continues to expand its presence in China, the company has announced official prices for its two flagship vehicles, the Model S sedan and the Model X SUV, in the country. Tesla has also provided an estimate for when deliveries of these vehicles will begin in China. It should be noted that while the Model 3 and Model Y are produced at Gigafactory Shanghai, the Model S and Model X are still imported from the United States as they are currently only manufactured at Tesla’s Fremont factory.
As posted on Tesla China’s official Weibo account, the new Model S starts at RMB 789,900 (approximately $115,000), while the new Model X starts at RMB 879,000 (approximately $128,000). The Model S Plaid starts at RMB 1,009,900 (approximately $147,000) and the Model X Plaid starts at RMB 1,039,900 (approximately $151,000).
In comparison, the Model S starts at $104,990 in the United States, while the Model S Plaid is priced at $135,990. The new Model X starts at $120,990 in the United States and the Model X Plaid is priced at $138,990.
In addition to the higher prices, Chinese customers also have the option to choose between a traditional round steering wheel or the vehicles’ controversial yoke steering system, which has been highly praised by CEO Elon Musk. While a specific delivery date has not been listed on Tesla China’s official website, the vehicles’ configurator estimates that deliveries of the new Model S and Model X will begin sometime in the second quarter.
According to Tesla’s Q4 and FY 2022 vehicle delivery and production report, the company sold 17,147 Model S and Model X vehicles in the fourth quarter and a total of 66,705 new Model S and Model X vehicles in 2022. With Chinese customers now able to order the flagship cars, it is likely that there will be a significant increase in deliveries of the new Model S and Model X in the coming quarters.
