Tesla has begun importing its electric vehicles (EVs) into Israel, beginning with the U.S.-based company’s Model 3 sedan. While the first units in Israel will come from China’s Shanghai factory, a new update holds that the EVs may be arriving sooner than buyers first expected.
Many in Israel who ordered the Tesla Model 3 had originally been told they would receive deliveries in June. However, according to an update Sunday from Calcalist, many customers have reported receiving requests to finish payment ahead of newly-planned deliveries, set to happen as soon as next month.
First Tesla Supercharger Opens in Israel, Model Y ‘On the Way’ https://t.co/76rRosFZJl
— TeslaNorth.com (@RealTeslaNorth) March 31, 2021
While the first round of Model 3 units imported into Israel by Tesla were from the company’s Fremont, California factory, the next round vehicle chassis numbers reported to buyers through these payment messages showed that the new round of models would be made in China (MIC) at the company’s Gigafactory Shanghai–and also include newer and more efficient lithium-iron phosphate batteries.
While Tesla Israel did confirm that the deliveries will begin in May, they also noted that they would still extend well into June. Rather than addressing the change in supply location, Tesla responded saying that each Model 3 offers “the same experience” to its customers.
In the exchange, Tesla Israel wrote, “We do not detail which plant provides the vehicles to our customers. The Model 3 provides all customers with the same experience.”
Tesla’s MIC Model 3s have been imported to Europe from Gigafactory Shanghai for the last several months, in anticipation of Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin production facility. The new factory, located in Gründheide, Germany outside Berlin, is set for completion later this year. Consequently, the Model 3 has led European EV sales for the past several months.
