Tesla has brought its most affordable Model 3 to European shores in an attempt to revive flagging sales amid growing controversy surrounding CEO Elon Musk's involvement with former US President Donald Trump. The new Model 3 Standard is priced at €37,970 (£33,166) in Germany and other countries, making it a more accessible option for buyers looking to join the electric vehicle market.
In October, Tesla launched the same car in the US, touting its value as a way to boost demand by attracting a broader range of customers. Musk claims this move will have a positive impact on sales by offering a lower price point that appeals to a wider demographic.
However, Tesla's strategy is being put to the test as the company faces stiff competition from rival Chinese manufacturer BYD, which outsold Tesla across Europe for the first time in spring. Furthermore, recent backlash against Musk's past support for Trump has resulted in a decline in sales, with some buyers expressing dissatisfaction over his involvement in politics.
To address this, Tesla has simplified its Model 3 trim levels by removing premium finishes and features from the lower-end model. Despite these changes, the new car still boasts an impressive driving range of over 480 miles (approximately 300 kilometers).
The move comes at a time when UK electric car sales are facing challenges due to new taxes on vehicles introduced in last month's budget. Sales declined by 3.6% in November compared to previous years, with critics warning that these regulations could deter potential buyers from switching to electric vehicles.
In response to the decline in demand, industry experts like Mike Hawes of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) are calling for policymakers to reconsider their approach to incentivize the adoption of electric cars rather than penalizing them.
In October, Tesla launched the same car in the US, touting its value as a way to boost demand by attracting a broader range of customers. Musk claims this move will have a positive impact on sales by offering a lower price point that appeals to a wider demographic.
However, Tesla's strategy is being put to the test as the company faces stiff competition from rival Chinese manufacturer BYD, which outsold Tesla across Europe for the first time in spring. Furthermore, recent backlash against Musk's past support for Trump has resulted in a decline in sales, with some buyers expressing dissatisfaction over his involvement in politics.
To address this, Tesla has simplified its Model 3 trim levels by removing premium finishes and features from the lower-end model. Despite these changes, the new car still boasts an impressive driving range of over 480 miles (approximately 300 kilometers).
The move comes at a time when UK electric car sales are facing challenges due to new taxes on vehicles introduced in last month's budget. Sales declined by 3.6% in November compared to previous years, with critics warning that these regulations could deter potential buyers from switching to electric vehicles.
In response to the decline in demand, industry experts like Mike Hawes of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) are calling for policymakers to reconsider their approach to incentivize the adoption of electric cars rather than penalizing them.
. While it's cool that they're making the Model 3 more affordable, I think it's a short-sighted move. With all this competition from BYD and whatnot, can't they focus on making better cars rather than just undercutting the price? 
And let's be real, Musk's involvement with Trump is still a major turn-off for some people, but it's not like he's going to magically clean up his image over night 
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. Mike Hawes is right, we need incentives to encourage people to switch to electric, not more regulations that stifle innovation. And what about the poor people who can't afford these fancy EVs anyway? It feels like Tesla is just playing a short game, trying to get rich quick on their brand recognition 
. Let's hope they come around and focus on making some real changes 
. I mean, €37,970 is still pretty steep even with a lower price point compared to other models they offer. And what's up with the rivalry between BYD and Tesla? It's like, can't they just make EVs cheaper for everyone?!? 
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. Can't they just focus on making awesome cars instead of getting caught up in politics? 
Not surprised though, people are super sensitive about their politics these days.
gotta say, €37k is still pretty steep but i guess its better than nothing lol. dont think this will really help with sales though, competition from byd and those new taxes in the uk are gonna be tough to overcome... also, elon's involvement with trump has been a major turnoff for some buyers, hope tesla can fix that 
I'm so stoked to hear that Tesla is bringing its affordable Model 3 to Europe!!! 
Price point of €37,970 (£33,166) is SO reasonable for a car like this! 
I've been considering getting an electric vehicle and now it's more accessible than ever! 
Fingers crossed that the new trim levels will be enough to turn sales around 
they're basically taking away some features that people might want, and that's not gonna win you over if you already had your heart set on those extras. plus with all the competition from BYD now, tesla needs to do more than just tweak their pricing strategy... i think they should focus on improving the overall driving experience and charging infrastructure for electric cars in europe. 
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. And hey, 480 miles of driving range is still crazy impressive! 
especially w/ this new model 3 standard price point 
i mean, 37k is still kinda steep for most people. and what's up with the new taxes on electric cars in the uk? isn't that just gonna push people towards buying older or cheaper models instead of newer ones? 
i mean, 480 miles of driving range is impressive but what about the charging infrastructure? we can't have buyers stuck at home waiting for a supercharger 
, but will it be enough to revive flagging sales? 
. But, we need policymakers to rethink their approach to incentivize adoption, not deter it 
. Like, I get that some people might be uncomfortable with his politics, but let's not forget he's also a genius inventor and CEO who's trying to make sustainable energy a thing 
. bring back the range of options and let people choose what they want, dont just dumb it down like that 
. its all about the benjamins honey 
and maybe even convince their friends to switch from gas 
. I just hope BYD doesn't steal all the sales 
. We need more incentives for EVs, not more barriers 
I mean, who wants to buy from someone with a history of tweeting crazy stuff 
? and btw what's up with all these new taxes on electric cars