Will Tesla Model 3 “retrofitting” be available in France soon?

To satisfy its demanding clientele, Tesla does not hesitate to offer installation of certain options on the Model 3 that are not standard.

The term retrofit is increasingly devalued. Essentially, it now refers to modernizing a product that does not benefit from the latest technological advances. In the case we are about to present, this is a bit of an exaggeration, but that is how Tesla defines it…

The initial situation is amusing. Chinese owners of a Tesla Model 3 produced between 2017 and 2021 have pointed out the absence of a very specific feature that made them insanely jealous: power trunk lift supports. Favoring the easy way, they demanded that Tesla allow them to correct this “defect” at the workshop but at their own expense.

Chinese initiative

At the end of August, Tesla responded positively to this request and, for 2980 Yuans (about 400 euros), the older Tesla Model 3 can now automate the sequences for opening and closing the trunk, including from a mobile app.

Outrage across the Atlantic over this injustice, and especially this blatant Chinese favoritism, and an immediate reaction from Tesla. Starting next week, owners will be able to schedule an appointment to upgrade their trunk, turning it electric. This will cost $800, double what is asked of the Chinese! Our little finger suggests that we are not the only ones to notice this, and the price will soon drop.

Anything but a gift from Tesla

So do the Chinese and Americans have advantages that others do not? Rest assured, Europe, and therefore France, will certainly follow suit, at an even higher price. But talking about money is vulgar, and it’s true that why bother opening a trunk manually when you can do it with a touch of a finger. Luxury lies in the small details.

READ ALSO > USA: Tesla outshines the competition with 60% market share