Tesla Model 3 Highland finally on sale in the United States

Four months after its reveal in China, then in Europe, the Tesla Model 3 finally arrives in its first global market.

It marks the end of a long misunderstanding, but also of deep resentment towards Tesla among American fans. Who, already busy launching the Cybertruck, did not understand why the debut of a new model would go to China, then Europe.

Rationality still affects many Tesla customers, far from industrial or inventory management considerations for a company. Especially when lobby groups are fighting over maintaining various federal bonuses in the USA. Tesla has largely lost out on this, probably paying the price of the ongoing conflict between the Biden administration and the troublemaker Elon Musk.

As of Wednesday, January 10, 2024, it’s done: the revamped Tesla Model 3, called Highland, is now on sale in the United States. It is priced at $38,990 before taxes (about €35,600) in Rear-Wheel Drive version. The Long Range reaches $45,990 before taxes (around €42,000).

For comparison, the same Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive is sold at €42,990 inclusive, and the Long Range at €50,990. That’s roughly the same prices once taxes are included. There are, however, some American states where the VAT is zero (Oregon, Alaska, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Delaware), while in California it is 8.75%. There, the estimated “pre-ecological bonus” cost (state and federal) is about $42,400.

While performance remains strictly the same, the range is officially rated at 272 miles, or 437 km. In Europe, the WLTP cycle rates it at 513 km, a significant difference! The same goes for the Long Range, rated at 341 miles, or 548 km. In Europe, it claims 629 km!

Tesla is again overestimating its ranges, a phenomenon pointed out in the USA at the start of January 2024. All catalog ranges have been revised downward, and fans are once again crying scandal.

The American Model 3 benefits, however, from a little detail: the Stealth gray color is offered as standard when it costs €2000 in France. Conversely, the multi-layer white, which is standard in Europe, is priced at $1000 in the US.

The attractive 19-inch rims, sold as an option for $1500, are unlikely to be popular. With them, the range drops to 248 miles, or 399 km. A psychologically significant figure for customers. As for the autonomous driving option, sold at €7500 in France, it increases to $12,000 in the USA (€10,900!).

First deliveries are expected in February 2024.