Tesla fining customers up to $50,000 for selling their cars
This is the reason why Tesla is fining certain customers tens of thousands of dollars for selling off their vehicles.
Earlier this year, it was announced that the Elon Musk-owned electric car company was planning to phase out its Model S and Model X vehicles in favour of the significantly cheaper Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
When announcing the decision to employees, Musk said the 'honourable discharge' would allow Tesla to focus on 'moving into a future that is based on autonomy', with the priority being the robotaxi and humanoid robot Optimus (according to USA Today).
However, Tesla isn't getting rid of the cars which put them on the electric vehicle map without saying a proper goodbye, with the motoring company announcing plans to release final Signature Editions of each model.
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What is the Tesla Model S/X signature edition?
According to Motortrend, Tesla will build just 350 signature editions, which will feature distinct gold badges and unique logos, as well as other cosmetic touches.
The Model S will make up the bulk of the signature editions, with 250 models, while the X will number 100.
A collector's car for the biggest fans of Tesla, you may say.
However, there are several caveats involved with owning one of these cars.
Motortrend notes that the cars will be invite-only, which means that unless Tesla deems you lucky enough to own one, you've got no chance.
The motoring company is also putting in place schemes to prevent the cars from making their way onto the resale market by forcing drivers to sign an agreement saying they cannot sell the car within the first year of ownership – unless you want to pay a hefty fine.
Not A Tesla App suggests the cost of trying to resell your signature model within the first 12 months won't be cheap either, with a fine of $50,000 (£36,953) being handed to drivers who do so.
If this wasn't enough of an incentive not to flip the car within its first year of purchase, it's also been suggested that Tesla could even blacklist drivers from access to future models, per CarExpert.
Should an owner wish to push ahead with offloading their signature model, the outlet states that Tesla will subtract $0.25 per mile driven alongside the cost of reasonable wear and tear from the original price.
If Tesla approves the sale but decides against buying the car back, owners will then have the opportunity of selling the vehicle through a third-party vendor, but only after 'written consent' is obtained.
It all sounds like too much hassle to me.
Brenna Cooper