You’d almost forget it due to the hype around Elon Musk and his venture as Twitter’s top man, but his car brand Tesla has had a fantastic year. The products have returned to the market and two new factories have been opened, including one near Berlin. A great opportunity to knock on the brand’s door again. We arrived at the German factory with the Model Y, which made its debut in the Netherlands earlier this year.
Where in previous years there had been a lot of hype about nothing at Tesla, 2022 has been full of activity. For example, the Model S and Model X are back in the lineup after a thorough update, the long-awaited Model Y has made its appearance and the brand’s first electric trucks have been delivered. Additionally, Tesla is on track for new production and sales records. In the Netherlands, the brand is not doing as well, but more on that later.
In addition to the new plant on the outskirts of the German capital, a production plant in the US state of Texas was also opened this year. This doubled Tesla’s production capacity in one fell swoop, at least on paper. Due to the opening of the German factory, new Model Y models will eventually no longer have to be shipped by sea from China to Europe.
For the time being, only the €70,000 Tesla Model Y Performance is being produced in Berlin. The model has a specified range of 514 kilometers and that is why we make the journey with that car. Although, given the price and performance, the model may not be the obvious choice. For the Dutch market, the new entry-level model at 49,990 euros is more interesting, which can be delivered quickly (within two months), but which therefore will still arrive from China for the time being.
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All your (charging) worries are taken away
It’s been a while since we’ve dated a Tesla. What is immediately striking about this renewed knowledge is how much the car takes away your worries. Teslas are known to be very efficient and therefore use steam sparingly. So no problems with eco modes or economic settings for the climate control, just to get the greatest possible range – the car always drives economically.
The own Supercharger network is also how you would like to see it when you first get acquainted with electric driving: Enter a (distant) destination – in our case Berlin – and the car takes care of the rest. So no games special route planners and other apps. You can see exactly where you need to upload and for how long. So you don’t have to walk on eggshells.
The lightening is also in the details. The battery is preheated shortly before arrival at the fast charger for best performance, the charging port opens automatically and no steps or falls are required with the Superchargers. Plug it in and you’re done. Such convenience is still scarce. The charging speed exceeds 220 kilowatts for only a few seconds.
A visit to the rim doctor is almost inevitable
All of which makes the Model Y in particular a great travel car. Compared to the Model 3, you sit comfortably high up and can also take a huge amount of luggage with you. The interior is well finished, but not very welcoming. Certainly not in the dark.
The Performance version takes away the pleasure of travelling. The car has tighter springs and is lowered. Plus, this version rolls on 21-inch wheels with flat rubber around them. As a result, Model Y Performance is jerky and restless. Also, with these wheels, a visit to the rim doctor is almost inevitable. Two sizes smaller so it doesn’t feel like a punishment to us. The Model Y’s turning radius is large in all cases. Turning the road fast is not an option.
Performance is impressive: a top speed of 250 kilometers per hour and an acceleration time of 3.7 seconds. Yet you never get the idea of having a “volcano” under the steam pedal. It works well gradually – only when you press the pedal all the way down on the carpet do you shoot forward. Experience shows that you only sprint once or twice and then leave it as it is. The same applies here: for less money you could get the more pleasant version of the Model Y in your hands.
The Netherlands is getting bored
It remains to be seen whether relatively short delivery times and a new entry-level model will ensure that the Netherlands opts for Tesla en masse in 2023. Up to and including November, the Model Y’s sales counter was just under 1,600 units. There will probably be another thousand in the traditional final sprint in December. Even then, the car lags far behind the competition.
Transport, Logistics & Automotive economist Rico Luman notes that Tesla is growing due to the expanding global market for electric cars, but that the brand’s market share is shrinking.
“This is also understandable. Tesla produces cars that are not for everyone, while electric cars are to be replaced across the full width of the target groups. It is therefore logical that the market share is declining.”
In the Netherlands, cars the size of the Opel Corsa and Peugeot 208 hold a 45% share of the total fleet, but only a quarter of the market for all-electric models.
Delivery times as a weapon in battle
However, the factory in Germany could play an important role in Tesla’s continued success. For example, delivery times can be significantly reduced, while with the competition in some cases you have to wait almost a year for a new electric car.
“New factories, including those in Germany, are badly needed by Tesla to produce on a continental scale and to meet demand more stably, with shorter ages. Manufacturing is crucial these days and Tesla seems to have succeeded quite well in this recently. Due to the growth of the electric vehicle market, the battery market will become tight in the coming years and Tesla seems to be well positioned here as well.” In any case, we see that the growth hasn’t stopped yet at the site near Berlin.
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