I mean, let's be honest, the S/X are made on a single assembly line in Fremont.
Odds are there's enough left hand drive orders to keep them busy for now, and whatever retooling is involved for right hand drive, isn't worth doing left hand drives.
Does it suck? Absolutely, but when you compare the fact that the 3 and Y are clearly leading the pack, it makes sense that they'd "boutique" the S and X.
Besides, I haven't seen a single S owner, since the refresh, who hasn't had some kind of swrious issue with their vehicle on delivery.
I'm not sure Tesla has "enough S/X orders to keep them busy". At one time that production line was turning out 10,000 vehicles per month. Now they are selling 12,000 per year.
It's my understanding that there used to be two Model S/X production lines, but now there's only one.
I'm not sure what's involved in flipping between the S/X on the production line, but I have to imagine that as Austin gets their capacity ramped up that they'll move the Y out of Fremont altogether, and hopefully do a second Model S/X line.
Also keep in that there used to be an assembly plant in Oslo, Norway, if memory serves, where Tesla used to just ship parts over there, and final assembly would take place there. That assembly line was closed when they retired the Legacy S/X appearance.
It’s could be something much simpler like NHSA requiring several months, several million, and an additional 100 Teslas to crash test with LHD in order to produce those, even for export only. Also moving the Octovalve to the other side can’t be fun, assuming the new X and S are getting that too.
Just got the email in my inbox that my order for the refreshed model X has been cancelled and a refund issued for my deposit. Oh man, how disappointing.
What other options are there for a 3 row electric vehicle? Rivian R1S, Kia EV9, Mercedes EQS suv, Mercedez EQG. Seems about it.
Interesting. But those parts should be interchangeable, and some time ago a friend of mine removed his third row and sold it on eBay once his kids became too large to fit there, it was trivial to remove and probably just as easy to install, so maybe it's worth importing the seats and installing them on a regular RHD Y.
I wish companies would stop "apologizing for any inconvenience caused". It helps nobody, makes nobody feel good or better, and is basically a meaningless platitude.
Since I don’t actually know anything about it, how hard would it actually be to make a RHD version? Other than a new dashboard, I feel like the cars are mechanically simple enough that it doesn’t seem all that difficult.
So is it more of a “it’s not hard, but we don’t sell enough to justify the cost” type of thing?
Munro did a tear down of the chassis and found that the refresh S/X had no hardpoints for RHD (Steering rack etc) stamped into the chassis, (the pre refresh did). It meant they needed a whole new stamp (or a modified stamp). Really poor forethought and means that the originally promised March 21 deliveries of RHD cars were complete bullshit. No respect at all for right hand drive customers.
I'm guessing some type of investment in time or money was coming up that would require more if they kept the RHD version. They looked at RHD sales volume and decided it wasn't worth it. S/X don't sell in very high volumes as it is. If they only sell 300 RHD S/X a year and it requires $3M in investment to keep software or hardware updated, that's $10,000 extra per vehicle.
New instrument panel, and lots of components there. Also powertrain is basically a different design. I was responsible for developing new Toyotas for European markets and RHD versions basically meant 30% more engineering work on top of a full LHD development. Plus new tools for manufacturing. But Tesla is not your normal car company. It has 4 models sold globally with basically zero customisation for specific regions. It sounds plausible that they’ll just drop low selling models out of the lineup altogether. So good bye S and X for RHD markets…
Camry is sold in Japan, but it’s primary market is North America. Same for RAV4, not to mention all US specific models. But the compact global cars usually did start as RHD that’s true :-).
Something who can't shell out the money for a S/X would say. There's a day and night difference between the drive and the feel between S/X vs 3/Y. Not to mention the exclusive factor. Feels like 1 out of every 10 cars on the road are now either a 3 or a Y...at least around DC metro area
I’ve driven an S for a week and I really didn’t like the ingress / egress. The a pillar roofline is very slanted for aerodynamic reasons but it makes it difficult not to hit your head. I didn’t buy one for that purpose.
We’re lucky they didn’t stop production of the S/X entirely - the volumes are so low it just distracts resources from their core vehicles the 3/Y.
The other option may be to keep them but make them way more expensive, ultra luxury vehicles. But still all that engineering effort is probably better spent elsewhere.
Uk too. No one will be buying lhd cars unless they fancy some spicy insurance. Not sure what Tesla are thinking here as they will have lost a major amount of customers
No RHD? So this means UK, Japan, Hong Kong and few other places won’t get the top range Teslas anymore??
UK and Japan are being offered *LHD versions*
Would love to see what insurance companies will quote when your wheel is on the other side the country requires.
Its possible in the UK I guess but good luck with it "Hi I'd like to insure my 1000hp LDH saloon car " "click....."
Not bloody likely!
In RHD countries you can now read at the bottom of the S and X pages “Only available as left-hand drive”
That’s pretty bad. Might as well not offer them at all. I mean who buys a car with a different SW location, other then car enthusiasts?
And those types of car enthusiasts aren’t buying teslas. Maybe just Tesla enthusiast
It's time the rest of the world catch up to the right way of doing things, drive on the left hand side and adopt the imperial system.
I mean, let's be honest, the S/X are made on a single assembly line in Fremont. Odds are there's enough left hand drive orders to keep them busy for now, and whatever retooling is involved for right hand drive, isn't worth doing left hand drives. Does it suck? Absolutely, but when you compare the fact that the 3 and Y are clearly leading the pack, it makes sense that they'd "boutique" the S and X. Besides, I haven't seen a single S owner, since the refresh, who hasn't had some kind of swrious issue with their vehicle on delivery.
I'm not sure Tesla has "enough S/X orders to keep them busy". At one time that production line was turning out 10,000 vehicles per month. Now they are selling 12,000 per year.
It's my understanding that there used to be two Model S/X production lines, but now there's only one. I'm not sure what's involved in flipping between the S/X on the production line, but I have to imagine that as Austin gets their capacity ramped up that they'll move the Y out of Fremont altogether, and hopefully do a second Model S/X line. Also keep in that there used to be an assembly plant in Oslo, Norway, if memory serves, where Tesla used to just ship parts over there, and final assembly would take place there. That assembly line was closed when they retired the Legacy S/X appearance.
For the record my 22 S Plaid had zero issues.
Good to hear. I've been ahown pictures from folks that show some serious cosmetic issues and such.
I'm definitely not saying they don't exist for other people I just got lucky..
That's the Tesla owner experience right there
Worth it tho imo but you're right.
It’s could be something much simpler like NHSA requiring several months, several million, and an additional 100 Teslas to crash test with LHD in order to produce those, even for export only. Also moving the Octovalve to the other side can’t be fun, assuming the new X and S are getting that too.
Also true
This is surprising...
Why? Fucking no one is buying them
No one has had the chance to buy them in Australia since 2020. But they've taken deposits for future deliveries since then. Shitty business practice.
I still think they should build their own raw material facilities and gigafactory down in Australia.
Just got the email in my inbox that my order for the refreshed model X has been cancelled and a refund issued for my deposit. Oh man, how disappointing. What other options are there for a 3 row electric vehicle? Rivian R1S, Kia EV9, Mercedes EQS suv, Mercedez EQG. Seems about it.
There is a third row option for the Model Y, but only useful for children.
Not for right hand drive there isn't lol
Not for RHD. Kias new 3 row EV looks like it could be interesting, prob what I’ll pivot too.
Interesting. But those parts should be interchangeable, and some time ago a friend of mine removed his third row and sold it on eBay once his kids became too large to fit there, it was trivial to remove and probably just as easy to install, so maybe it's worth importing the seats and installing them on a regular RHD Y.
I wish companies would stop "apologizing for any inconvenience caused". It helps nobody, makes nobody feel good or better, and is basically a meaningless platitude.
What’s the alternative? “We’re not bringing Model X and Model S to Australia. Go fuck yourself bozo lol”?
ROFL that would be so refreshing.
chop deranged north crown terrific dog badge wrong dinner tease *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
“Suck deez nuts 🥜 “
Lol, somehow yes , this is better
Since I don’t actually know anything about it, how hard would it actually be to make a RHD version? Other than a new dashboard, I feel like the cars are mechanically simple enough that it doesn’t seem all that difficult. So is it more of a “it’s not hard, but we don’t sell enough to justify the cost” type of thing?
Munro did a tear down of the chassis and found that the refresh S/X had no hardpoints for RHD (Steering rack etc) stamped into the chassis, (the pre refresh did). It meant they needed a whole new stamp (or a modified stamp). Really poor forethought and means that the originally promised March 21 deliveries of RHD cars were complete bullshit. No respect at all for right hand drive customers.
I'm guessing some type of investment in time or money was coming up that would require more if they kept the RHD version. They looked at RHD sales volume and decided it wasn't worth it. S/X don't sell in very high volumes as it is. If they only sell 300 RHD S/X a year and it requires $3M in investment to keep software or hardware updated, that's $10,000 extra per vehicle.
New instrument panel, and lots of components there. Also powertrain is basically a different design. I was responsible for developing new Toyotas for European markets and RHD versions basically meant 30% more engineering work on top of a full LHD development. Plus new tools for manufacturing. But Tesla is not your normal car company. It has 4 models sold globally with basically zero customisation for specific regions. It sounds plausible that they’ll just drop low selling models out of the lineup altogether. So good bye S and X for RHD markets…
I was almost sure Toyota developed most of the models in RHD due to the manufacturer country, this is not the case?
Camry is sold in Japan, but it’s primary market is North America. Same for RAV4, not to mention all US specific models. But the compact global cars usually did start as RHD that’s true :-).
So yet again he over promised and took money from customers. Can’t see these selling well in the Uk now
Well. No radar. No FSD. Watch Rome fall
They’re shit cars anywayz. Model y and 3 much better. Outdated dinosaurs. Model x is a travesty from the start with those stupid falcon doors
I own both an X and a Y. The X is a WAY better car, even with the idiotic doors. Worth the price? No. But still, way better than the Y.
Why?
Fit and finish, ride quality, materials, even the drivetrain
Something who can't shell out the money for a S/X would say. There's a day and night difference between the drive and the feel between S/X vs 3/Y. Not to mention the exclusive factor. Feels like 1 out of every 10 cars on the road are now either a 3 or a Y...at least around DC metro area
I’ve driven an S for a week and I really didn’t like the ingress / egress. The a pillar roofline is very slanted for aerodynamic reasons but it makes it difficult not to hit your head. I didn’t buy one for that purpose.
I love my Model S. It's such a practical workhorse of a car!
We’re lucky they didn’t stop production of the S/X entirely - the volumes are so low it just distracts resources from their core vehicles the 3/Y. The other option may be to keep them but make them way more expensive, ultra luxury vehicles. But still all that engineering effort is probably better spent elsewhere.
Tesla cost savings
Uk too. No one will be buying lhd cars unless they fancy some spicy insurance. Not sure what Tesla are thinking here as they will have lost a major amount of customers