Canadian Pricing and Delivery

[Doug_G]

I wonder, though, if Tesla could import the car without the battery (with no duty), and sell us the pack separately... and then the duty would only apply on the value of the pack? Okay... I'm grasping at straws here, but anything to save some $$$ on that darned duty!

You are not the first to suggest it. I'm pretty sure Tesla knows about that idea.

[mnx]

Does anyone else think we'll (cdn sigs) get finalize e-mails next week? (or am I setting myself up for disappointment?)

[gg_got_a_tesla]

I wonder, though, if Tesla could import the car without the battery (with no duty), and sell us the pack separately... and then the duty would only apply on the value of the pack? Okay... I'm grasping at straws here, but anything to save some $$$ on that darned duty!

Could that require crash testing again in Canada? There must be some such onerous implication for Tesla to not have gone for it...

[raymond]

I wonder, though, if Tesla could import the car without the battery (with no duty)

Without the battery pack it is not a car and might fall in a higher tax-category / cannot get a road-worthiness certificate / I don't know what else. TM has just as much reasons to avoid the 6.1% tax as the buyers do.

[ahimberg]

The options page isn't clear but I believe that if you want heated seats then textile is not an option in Canada either. It's just that leather seats are included in the base price.

The response I got from the Tesla didn't say that, they said the option is not currently available in the US. I would have expected them to say its not available in Canada either if that's the case. What I really expect is as pricing comes out worldwide its going to match Canada as tesla moves to 1 type of seat. Makes no sense that early-ish US buyers can't pay for it.

[Robert.Boston]

If the problem were primarily from the battery, then you might expect that the 60kWh and/or 40kWh batteries might not be subject to the tariff.

[tomanik]

"As of January 1, 2002, at least 62.5 percent of a passenger car or light truck's net cost must be of value originating in North America. All other vehicles must reach 60 percent North American content to qualify for zero duty rates." - Page 10 - http://trade.gov/static/autos_report...rriers2011.pdf

If the import duty is based on cost then yes it would seem that the 40kWh and possible the 60kWh could meet the content requirement. That said for Tesla it is probably simpler (or maybe even required) that the duty be applied to all models since we know the 85kWh does meet the requirements. Regardless we are one step closer to having the Model S in Canada.

[Brian H]

I hear you. I really need the range, and going from 85kWh to 60 would be a bitter pill. I'll have to go back to my models of how and where I plan (need) to drive to see if I could swing it.

Run some of the 5 & 10 yr. model-to-model comparisons over at Teslarumors.com/teslanomics . Might help refine your POV on TCO .

[Brian H]

...

So, I suppose I have convinced myself (thanks, TMC! ), as psychologically difficult as it is to pay this much for a car. Although I just have to practice the line, "Well, in the US it starts at $49k with the tax credit". I was leaning towards maybe getting a pano roof, but now I really am not sure... convince me, people!

"I'm saving so much on fuel over the life of the car, with my trade-in it's almost free!"
That should gob-strike 'em!

[mknox]

Run some of the 5 & 10 yr. model-to-model comparisons over at Teslarumors.com/teslanomics . Might help refine your POV on TCO .

Thanks. I already have very good fuel cost data on my ICE cars (have recorded every drop of gas along with fuel price and odometer for many, many years) and, by virtue of working in the electric utility industry for over 33 years, a good understanding of electricity rates and costs.

If not for the Model S, I would likely be in the market for a CDN$60 - 70k (taxes included) vehicle. Audi A6 or A7, Cadillac CTS etc. The Model S with the options I like comes in at a bit over $102k (taxes included).

I've already calculated about $18k savings in fuel over 5 years (ICE gas costs minus Model S electricity costs), so that still leaves a $14 - 24k difference between what I "should" be spending over 5 years and what I "would" be spending on Model S. That's why I need to go back over the options list.