Tesla speeds up export plans to take advantage of low dollar

Posted Thu Mar 27 2008 11:42 AM by James Martinez

Carmakers may be finding it tough importing cars into the U.S. because of the weak dollar but on the flipside exporting cars outside of the States is proving to be very lucrative. This is especially the case with niche carmakers like Tesla, whose all-electric roadster, which sells in the U.S. for about $100,000, effectively becomes cheaper for markets like Europe and Asia because of the falling dollar.

Unfortunately, Tesla has no export plan in place and with the 600 cars scheduled to be produced this year already sold out and half of next year’s allotment also spoken for, we could be a couple of years away from seeing the roadster become an international star.

In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Tesla sales exec Darryl Siry revealed company officials will be speeding up export plans to take advantage of the falling dollar. “We have always wanted to distribute in Europe, but with the low dollar we are going to move quicker,” he said. “The introduction date for the Roadster in Europe will be announced in a couple of months.”

Siry wasn’t willing to reveal which European countries would get the Tesla first but he said Sweden and Norway were likely candidates.

Tesla Roadster

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Reader Comments

Thu Mar 27 2008 11:46 AM
Gus says

Oh to have a few 100 thousand lying around...
Thu Mar 27 2008 1:05 PM
chris says

well... its like a 90,000$ car cause of the 10,000$ in gasoline ull never have to buy. and in all fairness... its a bargain for the performance.

but yeah,... 100 grand.....
Thu Mar 27 2008 3:38 PM
Gus says

Well, if you even have an extra $90 large laying around, let me know.
The other consideration is that (for now) it would have to be a second car.
When are those fast-charging batteries and filling stations coming, please?
Thu Mar 27 2008 4:16 PM
Tony says

Tesla is planning to have more every day driver cars such as an SUV, sedan and a sub compact. They made the roadster for the image as a company. Basically the car looks and performs great and is not the average electric car thats looks like junk. This one people are taking serious and that was their goal. After the roadsters success look for something more affordable from the brand.
Fri Mar 28 2008 10:13 AM
chris says

yep, tony's right... their plans are for a family sedan next with some sort of crossover to follow, likely on the same platform. they'd be smart to set up shop in the USA, and pump out 100 units a day. between the exchange rate, the overwhelming hunger for good manufacturing jobs, and one of the largest green markets in the world, I'd say they'd be stupid NOT to do that.

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