The experience of one new Tesla owner epitomizes the excitement in the Tesla Model Y community in Australia as they track shiploads of Model Ys coming from China and watch the expected times of delivery for new orders blow out. Michelle ordered her Model Y in the few minutes after she got her email saying the portal was open.She told me about it all recently, her voice still betraying that initial excitement.
As Michelle found out later, that would have meant a much longer wait and even a price increase. She checked the ordering status later that night for a friend and found that the estimated time for delivery had gone from August 2022 to between November 2022 and February 2023. A week later, the website was signaling delivery between February 2023 and May 2023. And the price had gone up $4000.
Why a Tesla, I asked. Well … mum has a Model 3 Long Range, brother has a Model 3 Performance. Brother in law is the odd one out — he has ordered an. What sold her was the tech. She loved the minimalist dash — just like a tablet on wheels! Accessing the features of the car through the screen was a large positive. That, and the fun — fart mode, karaoke, and old-time Atari games!
Even though she hasn’t had a test drive yet, she knows how Teslas drive because of her family’s vehicles. She is looking forward to the torque. Michelle goes camping with friends and family, but she is not a tent person, so she and kids are looking forward to camp mode — she has already bought the mattress. Her car will be white and she will add pink accents — and a hot pink number plate — YEAHHHH.
As far as charging goes, it’s all sorted. The family works together in their own business and has installed a charger at work — smart move when you have 3 Teslas in the parking lot! If she needs a top-up at home, Michelle plans to trickle charge from the solar on her roof. When she takes delivery, she is planning a 1000 km road trip to Sydney so her son can get in plenty of driving practice.Featured photo: Michelle tries out the Model Y. Photo courtesy of Michelle.