Tesla switches warranty, cuts used Model S prices, to lure Model three buyers
Tesla switches warranty, cuts used Model S prices, to lure Model three buyers
2016 Tesla Model S
Tesla has given its used electric-car sales a jolt and sweetened the deals for potential buyers.
CEO Elon Musk announced switches to the Tesla Model S sedan’s warranty structure and major price cuts on used examples during the annual shareholder meeting held June 6.
“Maybe somebody wants to buy a Model S for $35,000, $40,000,” he said, “and they can have that today.”
“And then when the Model three comes in, they can switch out to the Model Trio, if they want. Model S is still going to be—because it’s more expensive car, fatter, there is more room for bells and whistles—It’s still going to be our premium car.”
The idea is to put those interested in a Model three behind the wheel of a Model S, especially if a customer hasn’t yet pre-ordered a Model Trio, per a transcript of the meeting from Seeking Alpha.
Production for the Model three is expected to begin this summer, but it could be eighteen months or more before customers who order today receives their vehicles.
2015 Tesla Model S P85D, May two thousand fifteen [photo: George Parrott]
The fresh prices could be very tempting for those looking to own a Tesla electrified car.
A selection of used Tesla sedans shows prices hovering around $32,000 for a Model S sixty with rear-wheel drive, and lower-mileage eighty five sedans priced around $40,000.
Tesla says each pre-owned Tesla now receives a two-year/100,000-mile warranty—which may reassure buyers, since most of the used cars have logged fairly high miles for relatively latest model years.
Some examples have tallied 60,000 miles, while others have up to 91,000 miles.
The previous warranty covered four years/50,000 miles. The vehicles also receive 24-hour roadside assistance as part of the restructured warranty.
However, there are pros and cons to purchasing a used Tesla Model S.
2015 Tesla Model S P85D, May two thousand fifteen [photo: George Parrott]
Many of the cars do not feature the brand’s coveted AutoPilot system, a collection of active-safety systems that rely on a suite of sensors not installed in Model S cars until late summer of 2014.
Battery life, on the other forearm, is likely to be less of a worry.
Aggregated data shows that most Model S cars, even some with more than 100,000 miles, have retained ninety percent or more of their battery capacity thus far.
Another plus for a used Model S: most examples come with free Supercharging, since that perk is transferable to fresh owners when the car is sold.
Overall, it doesn’t seem that the idea of a used Tesla electrical car bothers buyers.
Anecdotal data suggests that used Model S sedans are being snapped up at a rapid rhythm.