I'm waiting for the Tesla Model 三 (Model 3), as I am not comfortable driving the large Model S.

They're using the Chinese character for "3"?

There's a story behind this.

Tesla had applied for the trademark registration of "Model E" for automobiles but Ford did not like it and objected, prompting Tesla to withdraw its application: post made on the Hong Kong Tesla forum. The Chinese 3 looks almost identical to the writing of E in the Tesla brand name.

A Tesla S owner to whom I mentioned this said that he would not be surprised if Musk had planned this already from the moment he agreed to withdraw the trademark application for "Model E"

I'm waiting for the Tesla Model 三 (Model 3), as I am not comfortable driving the large Model S.

Have you driven it? It don't think it feel like a very big car. It's heavy though, but really low center of gravity.

I doubt the Model S will sell in huge numbers here. Most rich people opt for Benz or BMW's. But the Model 3 might attract a lot of customers.

Yes, I've driven the model S85, both on and off the motorway. It takes some getting used to. My Citroen C5 isn't much narrower, but with the Tesla I had to be extra careful not to touch the kerb, what with the relatively narrow lanes of Swiss roads.

Accelerating from 50 to 80 km/h when getting out of a town was also a problem. With a petrol engine, I can practically tell from the engine sound when I reach the new speed limit, but with the Tesla I have to keep my eyes glued to the tachometre. Depress the accelerator pedal just a couple of millimetres and before you know it, you are over the limit.

When entering a town, I could not just take the foot of the accelerator and perhaps even brake a little to slow down to 50. Take your foot off and the Tesla decelerates so fast the fool who follows me too closely will bump into me. The same when slowing down in traffic or to stop at an intersection.

But I love the Tesla and can hardly wait for the model 3 to become available. Three long years to wait, if not more.

Maybe better a BMW i3 or i8 to start electric driving in TH.

They are plugin hybrids and can be charged on the plug too. With only a sole battery Tesla sticking in Thai- traffic would be a lottery...

Thai traffic would be fine. It's not using a lot of power apart from air con. I'd jump at the chance to own a Tesla if the price was ok

I've been in one of these things in Amsterdam. No idea what it was and, being a bit thick, couldn't figure out why it wasn't making much noise. In the centre of the dash sits a huge iPad tablet like thing.

I was baffled.

Then I had a schmoke.

Was that the tesla taxi service they have there? I spotted one there last month. V cool

Just the other day, I was driving to Khon Kaen from Korat and I saw a new filling station under construction. It was rather

small, maybe accommodate 2 cars. No 7/11 though. Then I saw the sign. Tesla Fill-up Station. Grand opening April 1st, 2016!

Amazing Thailand!

Just the other day, I was driving to Khon Kaen from Korat and I saw a new filling station under construction. It was rather

small, maybe accommodate 2 cars. No 7/11 though. Then I saw the sign. Tesla Fill-up Station. Grand opening April 1st, 2016!

Amazing Thailand!

LOL.

Probably another mom&pop LPG station, unless your whole post was hoax

charge stations not needed.

This one slightly overcharged.

Maybe better a BMW i3 or i8 to start electric driving in TH.

They are plugin hybrids and can be charged on the plug too. With only a sole battery Tesla sticking in Thai- traffic would be a lottery...

I'm waiting for the 330e plugin-hybrid. But not sure when or what price it will have in Thailand.

Maybe better a BMW i3 or i8 to start electric driving in TH.

They are plugin hybrids and can be charged on the plug too. With only a sole battery Tesla sticking in Thai- traffic would be a lottery...

I'm waiting for the 330e plugin-hybrid. But not sure when or what price it will have in Thailand.

When Tesla finishes building it's 9 Charging Stations in Thailand you'll be ready to hit the road! The one outside Korat will

open in 7 weeks. You may have to buy a special adaptor to fit Tesla's Charging System. Check with your local Tesla Dealer!

Good Luck Mate!

When Tesla finishes building it's 9 Charging Stations in Thailand you'll be ready to hit the road! The one outside Korat will

open in 7 weeks. You may have to buy a special adaptor to fit Tesla's Charging System. Check with your local Tesla Dealer!

Good Luck Mate!

My local Tesla dealer does not exist. Im not sure whats the deal with Tesla here. They were not present at the motor expo. Maybe they will show at the 2016 Motor Show?

No other cars can use Teslas charging stations unfortunately. But PTT are building a few stations around. I guess we have to wait a few more years before Thailand is EV friendly.

The tax on importing a tesla is 80%. Below 4m in total. Not too bad

Just the other day, I was driving to Khon Kaen from Korat and I saw a new filling station under construction. It was rather

small, maybe accommodate 2 cars. No 7/11 though. Then I saw the sign. Tesla Fill-up Station. Grand opening April 1st, 2016!

Amazing Thailand!

It's a hoax, and you're a bit early with with an April Fool prank.

Tesla are officially launching the Model S in Thailand at the Motor Expo next month.

Prices are expected to be in the 5-7M Baht range, with deliveries starting next year. They will also be installing 120 of their supercharger charging stations around the country, giving Telsa owners free charges.

More info:

manager.co.th

That is huge news!!!

They are also building a supercharger network of total 120 chargers around the country. That means you can drive for free everywhere in Thailand ... As long as you have spent 5 - 7 million on a Model S (or X) first

I have driven the Model S, and its a great car!

I thought so too, seems we're a party of two here though

Make that three!

I've driven the Model S and I was hugely impressed, I'd love one but my bank balance doesn't match the asking price!

Is this one occasion where it makes sense to import a car? Just 80% tax on a tesla ..

Is this one occasion where it makes sense to import a car? Just 80% tax on a tesla ..

I don't know where that figure comes from...a couple I've seen online for sale and imported from Hong Kong were closer to 6 million. (And these were rather older new basic models...not P90Ds or anything like that.)

A profit margin? Unless I'm very mistaken, 80% is the current Thai tax rate on this type of electric vehicle

A profit margin? Unless I'm very mistaken, 80% is the current Thai tax rate on this type of electric vehicle

80% import duty in Thailand but not the highest with Egypt at 135% and India at 125%. Hong Kong shows 0%.

http://www.dutycalculator.com/dc/188489781/cars-motorcycles/other-vehicles/electric-cars/import-duty-rate-for-importing-car-tesla-model-s-from-united-kingdom-to-thailand-is-80/

On this Thai site, Tesla seems to be denying entry into Thailand. That was Nov. 30th 2015. Not sure what is going on.

The Tesla has indicated that no policies or marketing representative office in Thailand. Due care company to market in only five countries in the region include Australia, Japan, China, Macau and Hong Kong only.

Google Translate Auto Spin

Elon Musk backed out perhaps. Wasn't willing to grease Thai palms

As fat as I understood, it was a company that wanted to act like the sole importer. Similar to what Thai Yarnyon does with Volkswagen in Thailand.

I was in Bangkok a few weeks ago and did see a Tesla driving through the city. Could not make out if it was right or left hand drive, but it did have a Thai license plate.

I have seen the Model S in showrooms in the US. They are very impressive. I love the fact that the battery is on the floor, giving it a super low center of gravity. And the "drive train" consists of a watermelon size motor on the rear axle. Mechanically it is very simple, and has been rated as extremely reliable in the US, quite a feat for a small manufacturer.

There is an incredible amount of luggage space, with large, spacious compartments in the front and rear.

The seating is a bit disappointing and could use a nice do-over by a British luxury car maker, but the huge flat screen at the center of the dashboard, which I believe accepts Android Apps including Google Maps, is fabulous!

I hope these guys succeed, it is a very compelling piece of technology.

The following news article is already a few months old but very interesting.

**********

 

Mar 8th 2016 at 11:31AM

Tesla Model S fined for excessive emissions in Singapore
Elon Musk has already discussed the issue with the prime minister.

 

In the US, buyers of a Tesla Model S electric vehicle get a tax credit from the federal government worth $7,500. In Singapore, apparently, buyers get fined about $11,000. Joe Nguyen shelled out about $400,000 for his Model S in Hong Kong (around $51,000 US), then brought it back to Singapore for a rude awakening that was basically about the length of his tailpipe.
 

First, there was a testing process to get the car legalized in Singapore that took a couple of months.

 

Read more: http://www.autoblog.com/2016/03/08/tesla-model-s-fined-for-excessive-emissions-in-singapore/

 

-- autoblog  2016-03-08