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Tesla Model S Starts from $121,000 in China

Tesla Motors has announced that the 2014 Model S with the premium 85 kWh battery will start from CNY734,000 in the People’s Republic of China, which means about $121,000 at current exchange rates.
Tesla Model S 1 photo
Photo: Tesla Motors
While the price tag is about 50 percent higher when compared to the US model, the electric sedan is actually quite affordable compared to other vehicles sold in China. For instance, the price for a BMW M3 triples once the car arrives in the Asian country.

In a statement released last week, Tesla said the price of a Model S in China is much lower than its competitors “simply because we want to treat our Chinese customers just as well as we'd treat customers in any other country”. Specifically, Tesla priced the Model S with the 85 kWh battery just like in the US, where it costs $81,070, and added “only unavoidable taxes, customs duties and transportation costs.”

“We know it's unconventional. We know we could charge more. We know that our competitors will try to convince Chinese consumers that our relatively lower price tag means the Model S is a lesser car, when the real reason their car costs more is that they make double the profit per car in China compared to the United States or Europe,” the manufacturer added.

In addition, Tesla launched the online design studio for the Model S, which reveals that the 85 kWh Performance model will cost CNY852,500 (about $141,000).
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About the author: Ciprian Florea
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Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer.
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