The big joke of the Tesla Model Y at 36,990 euros continues

Since July, the Tesla France website has proudly announced the Tesla Model Y for less than 36,990 euros.

You know, this saga of the Tesla Model Y at 36,990 euros fascinates us. From the beginning, we sensed that something was off about this operation which aimed to grant a very generous discount of 4,000 euros on a car that still sells well despite the passing years and is already eligible for the ecological Bonus of 4,000 euros.

A first element of response appeared to us at the bottom of the Tesla home page, in small characters: “Valid on customized Model Ys and preconfigured Model Ys in stock (except for the Long Range Propulsion Model Y) ordered between July 26 and August 31.” So no surprise, this is not a promotion on all Model Ys ordered before August 31, but only on those listed in the list of available new vehicles. To put it simply, this list primarily houses a few examples of the most in-demand trim for a buffer stock. Currently, it’s the Long Range Propulsion which is thus not eligible for this discount. There are then vehicles that have been ordered but whose buyer has ultimately backed out. Finally, there is the always sensitive case of unregistered cars but already showing a few kilometers. These could, for example, be test cars on tracks or closed roads, or cars that have made a short road journey with a Garage W plate, perhaps for an urgent customer test. Factually, if a car shows mileage, it has already been driven and thus cannot be considered new. Trust us, during press tests, sometimes even less than 10 km can damage the rolling gear or transmission of a car… Legally, however, as the cars are not registered, they are considered new.

The Strange Summer of Tesla

Since July 17, we have been regularly visiting this page of available vehicles to find what is promised to us: A new Tesla Model Y at 36,990 euros. Well, so far we haven’t found any, but we’ve made a great friend, a Model Y at 36,990 euros with 55 km that we affectionately named Germaine. Germaine is the vacation buddy. The one you meet on the first day, knowing you will happily run into her every day until she leaves. And she doesn’t seem ready to go, as she is still there nearly 3 weeks after our meeting. However, still no sign of a vehicle with zero kilometers at this price…

The only new development is that this weekend, Germaine got a friend with 58 km! A nice way to feel less alone. More seriously, it is unfortunate that Tesla did not anticipate this operation by distributing a few truly new cars between July 15 and August 31. The French salespeople of the brand, who are absolutely not to blame for this matter and must struggle to sell new models without discounts, must share our view.

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