The Tesla Model S is undeniably one of the stars of the electric car segment, but it is also marketed as a luxury car. So, while people expect it to sell well for an EV, when it comes to luxury cars, the competition is so tough than many don’t give the Model S a chance.
Well, it looks like they were wrong, as Tesla’s electric sedan – priced from $70,000 (€53,960) – has outsold the benchmark of the luxury segment, and the soon-to-be-replaced, Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It happened in the U.S. in the first quarter of this year, with Tesla selling 4,750 Model S sedans. Mercedes-Benz sold 3,077 S-Class vehicles, BMW delivered 2,338 7-Series sedans and Audi sold 1,462 A8 models.
The statistics released by LMC Automotive show that more people bought a Tesla Model S than any of the similarly priced gasoline-powered cars from the top three German luxury brands.
The comparison may be found exaggerated by some, as actual selling prices for the Mercedes S-Class start toward the upper end of the Tesla Model S price range, while prices for the other cars are at the lower end. On top of that, the Model S qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit, while the other cars don’t. But the fact remains – Tesla’s only model at the moment is selling well, with Model S sales estimates for this year having been raised from 20,000 to 21,000.
Add to that is the praise the Model S received from Consumer Reports and it’s pretty clear that times are good for Tesla Motors.
By Dan Mihalascu
Story References: CNN Money
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