If the BMW 3 Series seems to be in trouble in the US due to the Tesla Model 3, it appears it might have a much bigger problem in China. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range is already at the top of the price range of a BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and lower-trim options should eventually arrive to compete with those models’ lower-trim options.
Additionally, at the highest end, the Tesla Model 3 Performance crushes the prices of the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 — as in, it’s approximately half the price of those premium-class competitors.
Don’t let the prices fool you, though — the Tesla Model 3 offers superior performance. As our friend Vincent, who shared all of this info with us, points out, the Tesla Model 3 Performance is even quicker than the BMW M4.
As Vincent shares, the prices of midsize luxury sedans in China (in USD) are as follows:
- Audi A4 — $43,000–60,000
- BMW 3 Series — $42,000–72,000
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class — $46,000–72,000
- Tesla Model 3 Long Range — $72,000
As far as the performance versions, you get:
- BMW M3 — $162,000
- BMW M4 — $184,000
- Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 — $173,623
- Tesla Model 3 Performance — $81,160
Here are the original tweets about these comparisons:
New Tesla Model 3 LR pricing ($72K USD) in China is very consumer friendly, fit right into the competitors price ranges:
Mid size luxury sedans in China (USD):
BMW 3 Series $42K-$72K
Audi A4 $43K-$60K
Mercedes Benz C-Class $46K-$72K$TSLA #Tesla #China #Model3 #TeslaChina pic.twitter.com/ybFSXNqUSe
— Vincent 🚀🟠 (@vincent13031925) December 17, 2018
Nope, price is for now
— Vincent 🚀🟠 (@vincent13031925) December 18, 2018
Ok, this is the most exciting one!
Pricing (China🇨🇳) of Tesla Performance Model 3 vs Mercedes Benz C 63 AMG @Tesla PM3: $81,160 USD
MB C 63 AMG: $173,623 USD $TSLA PM3 in China is offering a super discount. More than $92K lower than C63 AMG with much better performance. pic.twitter.com/Dg4x8dTGqI
— Vincent 🚀🟠 (@vincent13031925) December 17, 2018
yup and this is the performance data:
BMW M4 0-60 3.8 sec
Tesla PM3 0-60 3.5 sec
And I can't find a reason to buy BMW… sorry, just can't— Vincent 🚀🟠 (@vincent13031925) December 18, 2018
In addition to those comparisons, Vincent highlighted that prices for the Tesla Model S and Model X dropped notably in the past week:
Update with English version & USD pricing table.
Tesla officially lowered the prices (Model S And X) in China🇨🇳: some models have cut prices by more than $15K USD, a drop of 11%Q1 2019 sales numbers (China) will be insane!!$TSLA #Tesla #China #TeslaChina pic.twitter.com/luHQbyZNN3
— Vincent 🚀🟠 (@vincent13031925) December 14, 2018
Dec 17, @Tesla's official web showed the price of Model 3 in China was lowered again. Performance M3 now 560K yuan, ⬇️ 35K yuan; long-range now 399K yuan, ⬇️ 41K yuan. $TSLA told reporters that the price reduction of Model 3 was due to tariff factors. #Tesla #China #TeslaChina pic.twitter.com/8KtBhh6CdN
— Vincent 🚀🟠 (@vincent13031925) December 17, 2018
**Correction**
Typo mistake, Long Range is now 499K yuan , not 399K
— Vincent 🚀🟠 (@vincent13031925) December 18, 2018
Taking into account huge fuel and operational savings from driving a Tesla Model 3 rather than a BMW or a Mercedes, as well as the many extra benefits of an electric car and especially a Tesla, I have to agree with Vincent’s comment that “I can’t find a reason to buy BMW … sorry, just can’t.” However, same goes for Mercedes, Audi, etc.
Expect a good first quarter for Tesla in China.
If you’re looking to buy a Tesla, appreciate my work, and need a referral code, here you go: http://ts.la/tomasz7234
Images via Tesla
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