Tesla Model 3 Highland preorders reportedly open as current Model 3 hits its lowest ever price

Tesla started cutting prices for its Model Y and premium Model S and Model X vehicles at up to US$8,500 in China recently, as well as upping the incentives for a Model 3 purchase. Despite the insurance subsidy and referral bonuses that led to a record low Model 3 price there, however, there aren't many purchases, reports an investigation by a local financial publication.

One of the reasons for the tepid interest in a Model 3 that its interviewees at Tesla's showrooms cite, is that everyone is waiting for the imminent launch of a Model 3 facelift that may be 14% cheaper than the current version. According to one showroom customer "the new Model 3 is coming out soon, and I'm not in a hurry to place an order to pick up the Model 3 car." "I want to wait for a while, maybe the new model will be cheaper," they added.

Dubbed Model 3 Highland, the facelift was recently caught cruising in the countryside there, and should launch within the next two weeks, tip the insiders. Those who wish to preorder one can even reserve a spot now at select showrooms in Beijing for 1,000 yuan (~US$136). 

Tesla has allegedly already started mass Model 3 Highland production at a rate of 10,000 units a month, and should have about 7,000 Highlands by the end of August, while early adopters would get delivery in October. In fact, all the recent price cuts and incentive moves by Tesla in China aim to clear up inventory in preparation for a boom in Model 3 Highland orders, tips the report.

Those who preorder a Model 3 facelift and plunk down a deposit now, can apparently still take advantage of the referral bonuses given for inventory vehicles:

The first option is to directly pick up the existing Model 3 car. If the above conditions are met, you can enjoy an insurance subsidy of 8,000 yuan and a friend recommendation gift of 3,500 yuan, that is, you can pick up the car for 220,400 yuan. In the second option, you can choose to pick up the car you like within 60 days. You can also use the 3,500 yuan friend recommendation gift, even if the Model 3 facelift price is higher than the current Model 3 starting price of 231,900 yuan, you can still pick up the car at the current preferential price.

The expected Model 3 Highland changes include more aggressive body restyling, a larger 66 kWh battery, and interior improvements such as ventilated seats. Needless to say, it will also ship with the new Hardware 4.0 FSD cameras that offer higher resolution, as Tesla already started equipping all of its current models with the kits.

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