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Tesla Model S Reaches Chinese Dealerships

Don't be fooled by the U.S. license plate on this factory fresh Model S. The luxury electric sedan you can see in the attached photo gallery is, as a matter of fact, the first Tesla Model S imported into China.
First parallel import Tesla Model S in China 6 photos
Photo: www.carnewschina.com; www.autohome.com.cn; www.xcar.com.cn
First parallel import Tesla Model S in ChinaFirst parallel import Tesla Model S in ChinaFirst parallel import Tesla Model S in ChinaFirst parallel import Tesla Model S in ChinaFirst parallel import Tesla Model S in China
However, the vehicle hasn't arrived in the country via the carmaker's official distribution system. Truth be told, this is the first grey import example of the Model S in China, with first official channel deliveries starting in June.

According to online motoring publication Xcar China, the green machine was delivered at a multi-marque dealer showroom located in the Tianjin metropolis, the largest coastal city in Northern China and one of the five central cities of the Asian country.

Being a parallel import, the price tag doesn't reflect the one announced by Tesla. Instead of the official ¥734,000 ($117,800 at current exchange rates) entry price, the dealer doesn't charge a hefty premium for the car as most would expect from a vehicle speculator.

By inviting wealthy customers to bid for this set of wheels, the Tianjin dealer will most certainly earn big bucks thanks to the sky high demand and the scarcity of the Model S in China. Further more, the showroom owner claims to have an extra thirteen units in his inventory.

Unfortunately, impatient Chinese customers of the Tesla Model S which have more money than sense will suffer a number of consequences as the result of buying a car introduced in the country through parallel importing.

The biggest drawback is represented by the warranty. Of course, it is valid in the United States, but if the vehicle isn't imported directly by Tesla Motors, it loses it's warranty as soon as it sets rubber on Chinese soil.

We remind you that the Palo Alto-based car manufacturer bears the Tesila moniker in China, with first dealers setting shop in the capital city of Beijing and Shanghai. A fully loaded Tesla Model S P-85 Performance commands a ¥1,087,000 sticker price, which is about $175.000.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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