Tesla launches sales of Model S sedan in Korea
Tesla Korea is finalizing purchasing processes for its customers here who made preorders for its premium sedans of the Model S 90D.
The U.S.-based electric vehicle (EV) maker’s affiliate here opened a so-called “design studio website,” where preorder customers can choose various options, including vehicle color and interior.
Tesla Korea sent an email to preorder customers, informing them they can complete their purchases via the website, according to sources.
Among the carmaker’s lineup, the Ministry of Environment has so far certified the Tesla Model S 90D, which the ministry confirmed has a range of 378 kilometers when fully charged.
The luxury EV’s price starts at 130 million won ($114,000), and is expected to reach 156 million won for the full-option package.
The environment ministry and provincial governments are offering 12 million won to 19 million won in subsidies for an EV, but Model S customers are not expect- ed to benefit as the sedan failed to meet the requirements — a vehicle should take less than 10 hours to charge on a 7 kilowatt-hour low-speed charger. It takes around 13 hours to fully charge the Model S 90D’s high-capacity battery.
The Tesla Model S 90D mounts a single-speed electric motor along with a 90kWh lithium-ion battery that produces maximum 417 horsepower. It takes 4.4 seconds to reach 100 kilometers per hour. Its top speed is 250 kilometers per hour.
Preorder customers can choose their vehicle options, including the color, wheel size and interior design as well as Tesla’s cutting-edge autopilot system, all through design studio website. The delivery is expected to take about three months.
An industry insider said Tesla Korea will soon finalize their approval process for its other models like the Model X SUV and the Model 3 sedan.
The first Tesla showroom i n Korea, which was supposed to open last November at Hanam Starfield in Gyeonggi Province is widely expected to open by the end of next month.