Made in China, the Model 3 sold here is one of the vehicles threatened by the increase in customs duties. Tesla warns that a price increase is likely on July 1st. But could this be a marketing trick?
On June 12, Europe officially announced its intention to increase customs duties on electric cars imported from China. The Old Continent accuses Beijing of generously supporting its manufacturers, who then offer models to us at discounted prices. The Commission gives China a few weeks to respond. But in the absence of a response, “provisional countervailing duties will be introduced as of July 4th.”
And this does not only affect Chinese brands. American or European models produced in the Middle Kingdom and sold here will also be affected. With reinforced customs duties, sales prices will increase.
Among the losing cars is the Tesla Model 3, with the version offered in Europe being assembled in Shanghai. Tesla has officially alerted customers. On its website, the manufacturer clearly writes: “The price of the Model 3 is expected to increase as of July 1, 2024, due to a potential increase in import taxes.”
The manufacturer encourages customers to take delivery of a Model 3 in June to take advantage of the current price, before the possible increase… which is still announced as conditional.
One wonders whether the price will actually increase, or if Tesla is waving the red flag to boost sales, which have dropped this year. The manufacturer has already offered a gift in June to encourage customers to leave with a model before June 29, in the form of 20,000 km of free supercharging.
Just a reminder, the price of the Model 3 had decreased in April. The Rear-Wheel Drive version had seen its price drop by €3,000, to €39,990. This decline was mainly due to the loss of the bonus in France, as the car no longer qualified for state aid due to its Chinese production.