Tesla to end Model S and Model X sales in Japan this month
Tesla will cease new orders for its Model S and Model X in Japan by March 31, 2025, limiting sales to existing inventory and pre-owned vehicles. The decision aligns with Tesla's strategy for right-hand-drive markets, as it previously discontinued RHD variants. Modifications for local safety standards may have contributed to the decision, given the low sales volume in Japan. Despite this, Tesla plans a refresh for these models, with delivery windows in Europe pushed back to August.
Tesla has announced that it will soon stop accepting new orders for its Model S and Model X vehicles in Japan.
According to a post from the official Tesla Japan account on X, domestic sales of the two vehicles will end on March 31, 2025. After this date, the company will limit sales to existing inventory and pre-owned vehicles, discontinuing custom orders for new units.
Tesla did not give an explanation for the sudden end of Model S/X sales for the Japanese market. As it is the company is only selling around 10,000 units per quarter globally, with the majority of those going to the Canadian and U.S. markets, leaving a very small number of sales in Japan.
The decision to halt sales of these models in Japan aligns with Tesla’s broader strategy concerning right-hand-drive (RHD) markets. In May 2023, Tesla discontinued the production of RHD variants of the Model S and Model X, affecting markets such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore. Since that date, Tesla has been selling left-hand drive (LHD) versions in Japan, a RHD market, which in itself was likely another reason for the change.
To comply with local safety standards, the Model S/X needed modifications, including the installation of a camera and display system to address the front passenger side blind spot in LHD vehicles for pedestrians.
The costs associated with these homologation processes may have outweighed the benefits, especially given the modest sales volume of these models in the Japanese market.
Despite the discontinuation in certain markets, Tesla remains committed to the Model S and Model X. Lars Moravy, Tesla’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, hinted at an upcoming refresh for these models, stating that they would receive “some love later this year.”
Confirming this refresh is on the horizon, estimated delivery windows for the Model S and Model X in Europe were recently pushed to as far back as August.
