Tesla Model 3 News

Tesla has just announced some serious discounts to its existing stock in Australia as it fends off increasingly tough competition. Existing and demonstrator Model Y SUV examples are available from $61,020 (drive-away), which is $2950 less than before, according to the brand. The Model Y usually starts from $58,900, before on-road costs. This deal makes the Model Y more competitive with its key rivals, the BYD Sealion 7 and Zeekr 7X, which start from $54,990 and $57,900, respectively, both before on-road costs. This news follows Tesla slashing the price of its top grade ‘Performance’ variant from $89,400 to $84,900 in October 2026. Tesla is also offering discounts on its Model 3 sedan with demonstrator and existing examples of the Premium RWD starting from $57,733 (drive-away), equating to $3530 off. The Premium RWD variant usually starts from $54,900 and is a step up from the base Model 3 that now starts from $45,900 (before on-road costs) in Australia. It also means it’s priced more closely to the Premium grade of the BYD Seal that starts from $52,990 (before on-road costs). The Model 3 doesn’t sell as prolifically as its Model Y SUV sibling, but it still managed to shift 5775 units up to September 2026, which is more than the BYD Seal (3808). The Model 3 is available with a single electric motor that produces 190kW and 375Nm or dual motors, producing 343kW and 741Nm. The Model Y also has single or dual electric motor options, producing 220kW/420Nm, 378kW/493Nm, or 461kW/741Nm. The Model Y is the best-selling electric car in the world, and Australia is no exception. It’s shifted 43,386 units up to September 2026. This is more than the BYD Sealion 7 (19,964) and the Zeekr 7X (12,006) combined, but these rivals are rapidly gaining popularity. The mid-size SUV segment is the most hotly contested in the market, and the Model Y is now facing an influx of new and affordable electric SUV rivals in Australia in 2026. The Geely EX5 ($41,990) has seen a similar popularity increase to the Sealion 7 and 7X, while the Lepas L6 ($47,990) has just gone on sale Down Under.

For over a decade we’ve been told the sedan is dying. Sales have declined, the amount of options available has dwindled and buyers continue to gravitate to SUVs and utes. And yet, the sedan survives. But not just survive, new models are now arriving and sales for the total mid-size sedan market have been on the rise in 2026. Mid-size sedans, both mainstream and luxury, are up 18 per cent year-to-date to the end of September. Geely is the latest brand to believe there is a future for sedans, confirming the new Emgrand L plug-in hybrid will arrive in Australian showrooms next year to compete against the likes of the Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal and Mazda 6e. Despite the relatively-fresh competition and the recent sales growth, sedan sales are still amongst the smallest in the country. The best-selling sedan is the Toyota Camry, with 9471 sales to the end of September, which compares to 31,209 sales for the Toyota RAV4 mid-size SUV. Geely Australia’s Director of Product Planning and Marketing, Andrew Tuitahi, said the brand is confident there will be buyers looking for an SUV alternative. “When it comes to Emgrand L EM-i that's designed to target a slightly different market, but we think there is an opportunity for a more traditionally styled sedan with high technology and alternate fuel offerings,” Tuitahi said. “There's a lot of metrics and a lot of research that we've conducted,” he added. “Certainly the response from customers is positive. The response from dealers is positive. And there are absolutely buyers who don't want to drive an SUV. They want something that looks a little bit more conventional, and they like that style of sedan.”  “ I think we'll put together a package and share it when we launch Emgrand. But certainly there is a buyer profile demographic that is finding sedans appealing,” he said. Looking at the latest sales figures there is a growing market for electric and plug-in hybrid sedans, led by the likes of the Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal and Seal 6 as well as the new Mazda 6e. All of those models have grown in volume in the first three quarters of 2026, although the Seal 6 and Mazda and both all-new models, so any sales would be incremental volume. While they have grown, that is from a small base and overall sales remain relatively small. Tesla has sold 5775 examples of the Model 3, which is a seven per cent increase on 2025, but that figure is dwarfed by the combined 35,930 sales of the Model Y and Y L. BYD has sold a combined 4727 Seal EV and Seal 6 PHEV sedans (and wagons), which does mean that two of the three best-selling sedans are electric, suggesting there is a demand from customers for efficient vehicles outside of the SUV market. However, it isn’t a large demand with the rest of the market contributing a combined 27,805 total mid-size sales, which is less than the RAV4 has managed on its own - just to underscore the dominance of SUVs. Kia’s EV4 has managed just 361 sales, the Skoda Octavia 340 and the MG MG7 only 230. Even the once popular premium sedans, including the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Class are down significantly in 2026. So, while Geely is confident there are buyers for the Emgrand L, and Tesla, BYD and Mazda are managing to make sedans work for them, the cold, hard fact remains that the traditional ‘four-door’ is unlikely to become a mainstream choice again for Australians. Sedans aren’t dead yet, but anyone expecting a resurgence shouldn’t be.

Tesla is gearing up to fight off a new wave of Chinese electric cars, with big updates to its range. The fully-electric Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV will feature a suite of upgrades and price cuts as they fight off increasingly competitive Chinese rivals Down Under.  The Model Y’s top-spec ‘Performance’ grade now starts from $84,900, down from $89,400 (before on-road costs).  The Model 3 is now cheaper as well, starting from $45,900 instead of $54,900, before on-road costs.  Tesla said both updated cars can be configured on its website.  Tesla's Model Y is the best-selling electric car globally, with Aussie buyers gaining access to improved performance. The Model Y’s long-range all-wheel-drive grade squeezes more performance out of its dual electric motors, and can now sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds, down from 4.8 seconds. This is faster than lower grades of the Zeekr 7X ($57,900) that accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds.  The Model Y L three-row SUV is also now quicker from a standing start. Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 4.5 seconds, instead of 5.0 seconds.  The Model Y will be offered with a new Glacier Blue paint colour and a grey interior colour option.  The Model 3’s price cut complements a larger 16.0-inch first-row touchscreen, up from the 15.4-inch unit previously installed, and matching the Model Y. The range-topping Tesla Model 3 Performance has an improved driving range figure of 600km, which is 29km more than before, according to WLTP standards.  The car also receives a dark headliner, and the Zen grey interior option, as well as new 19-inch wheels.  Tesla’s Model 3 has had a slower sales return in 2026 compared to its Model Y SUV sibling, batting for buyer attention with the strong-selling BYD Seal ($52,990).  Both cars are equipped with Tesla’s ‘Power Share’ vehicle-to-load system that allows for owners to power appliances and tools directly from the high-voltage battery.  Tesla cars in Australia previously did not have vehicle-to-load functionality, but this latest update brings them into line with other key mainstream EV rivals.  The brand also confirmed older examples cannot be retrofitted with the Power Share technology.  

A new-car price war is brewing, and it has never been more affordable to buy a Tesla. The American carmaker has slashed $9000 of the price of entry into its Model 3 electric sedan, with a new based rear-wheel drive (RWD) variant priced from $45,900 (before on-road costs). That makes it cheaper than the base BYD Seal Dynamic ($49,888), Kia EV4 ($50,040) and Mazda 6e ($49,990). This follows several tempting offers from rival BYD in the past month. "Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive is the most affordable way for Australians and New Zealanders to own a Tesla, and the most accessible way to experience Full Self-Driving (Supervised)," said Thom Drew, Country Director – Australia & New Zealand. Australians can order the Model 3 RWD from today with the first deliveries expected from mid-October. Tesla is notoriously secretive with its mechanical details of its vehicles, but it appears the base RWD has the same hardware as the RWD premium. It has a claimed driving range of up to 572km calculated via the benchmark WLTP test cycle, and has a 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds. It is believed to be powered by a single electric motor making up to 208kW fed by a roughly 63kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery. Tesla has ripped out some of the features from the Model 3 Premium RWD, to make it more affordable, but it has all the essentials. It has: Tesla Audio system with seven speakers   16-inch first-row touchscreen  3 USB-C ports (2 rear, 1 front)  Wireless phone charging (front)  Footwell ambient lighting Panoramic glass roof  18-inch Prismata wheels  Matrix LED headlights Hands-free boot Power-folding side mirrors  There is also Tesla’s app that allows you to control vehicle features remotely, such as air conditioning, charging, power tailgate, unlock the car and more. The multimedia screen controls all the vehicle functions, and has apps such as Spotify, Apple Music, Netflix, Youtube and games. It also grants owners access to Tesla's expansive network of Superchargers and it will be constantly improved via over-the-air updates. Owners can still access Tesla’s Full Self Driving (Supervised) in the cheapest variant, with a subscription costing $149 a month. Tesla covers its vehicles with a five year/unlimited km warranty. Tesla Model 3 range pricing (Australia)  

Tesla is trying to provide better value for Model Y and Model 3 drivers in Australia. The brand has introduced guaranteed future value loans for new cars. This allows prospective buyers to lock in a guaranteed minimum future value to reduce monthly repayments. Customers can choose to pay a predetermined amount to keep the car or upgrade to a new model at the end of the loan period. Tesla said this will minimise the unexpected depreciation usually attached when selling a previously new car. New cars depreciate by a significant portion of the purchase price over the first few years of ownership, generally, and EVs have attracted a higher rate of depreciation than other cars. Tesla said that by deferring a portion of the car’s cost to the guaranteed future value, monthly payments will be cheaper than traditional loans. The car must be well looked after and comply with wear and tear guidelines, as well as meet the agreed kilometre usage in order to be eligible for the deal. Car leasing company Driva is facilitating the scheme, with the initiative being extended to rideshare later this month. The Tesla Model Y SUV and Model 3 sedan are both eligible for the deal. The Model Y starts from $58,900, before on-road costs, with prices ranging up to $89,400 for the Performance grade. Meanwhile, the Model 3 starts from $54,900, but the top grade costs a minimum of $80,900. The Model Y was the best-selling car in Australia in June, producing the best sales month since the Holden Commodore in the early 2000s. Tesla introduced a six-seater variant of the SUV earlier this year, the Model Y L, which it said has been a strong seller. Electric vehicles sales continue to increase in Australia in light of their increased affordability and skyrocketing fuel prices.

Tesla has sold out of a sought-after genuine accessory for its Model 3 electric sedan only days after its launch. The US electric carmaker is offering an air mattress for the Model 3 that fits across the folded rear seats and the boot. It’s made of three-inch high-density foam with a waterproof polyester exterior covering. It can be inflated with the integrated air pump and it comes with a carry bag and repair kit. This kind of air mattress is perfect for those who want to sleep in their vehicle overnight when camping. At this stage Tesla is only offering this air mattress genuine accessory on its US website. It’s priced from US$235 (~A$340). This Tesla-branded air mattress is not offered in Australia yet, although a number of third party accessory companies already offer a similar product. However, many don’t fit the exact contours of the vehicle. Tesla already offers genuine accessory air mattresses in the Model Y, Model Y L in Australia. They’re priced from $375 and $300, respectively. The US electric carmaker also offers a genuine accessory air mattress for the Cybertruck electric pick-up in North America. In Australia, Tesla has been going from strength to strength. In June a total of 8670 vehicles were sold, making it the fourth best-selling brand for the month. A lot of the heavy lifting was done by the Model Y electric SUV. A total of 8072 vehicles were sold in June, making it the best-selling vehicle for the month by far. It’s the first time an EV has ever been the selling-car. So far in 2026, Tesla has sold a total of 23,588 vehicles, which is up 66.7 per cent year-on-year. It’s now the 10 best-selling brand in Australia.

Tesla has rolled out a key update for its Full Self-Driving Supervised technology, with version 14 (or v14.3.3) addressing the key flaws in the system’s earlier iterations and creating a near-flawless self-driving experience. Described by Elon Musk as “a banger”, the new version began rolling out on eligible Tesla vehicles in Australia on June 19, and now CarsGuide has taken the wheel (or not taken the wheel) to test the upgraded tech on Australian roads. But first, what’s new? Truthfully, a lot of stuff that’s difficult to understand. The neural vision encoder has been upgraded, for example, while the AI compiler has been rewritten with MLIR.  But it’s less what's been done, and more why it has been done, with Tesla's intention to make self-driving technology feel more natural, and more decisive, while adding new features. Tesla says reaction time is now 20 per cent faster, and lane biasing and tailgating have been mitigated. There’s also faster response times for emergency situations, like oncoming traffic, the sudden appearance of emergency vehicles and the unexpected arrival of what the brand describes as “small animals” in the Tesla’s path. The driver monitoring system has also been sharpened, making it less keen to chirp the driver for not paying attention, while the system has been trained to push through "temporary system degradations" without asking the driver to take over. It's about reducing driver interventions, Tesla says, and to that end the brand has also included a kilometre counter that tracks how long self-driving was in use without the driver having to do anything. The biggest (and most noticeable from the driver’s seat) change is the way Tesla’s FSDS now operates, with the ‘driving’ modes expanded to include Sloth, Chill, Standard and Hurry. While only Sloth (which “comes with lower speeds and more conservative lane selection”) and Chill are new, all have been programmed to offer a more noticeable difference in driving behaviour. Hurry, for example, reacts like a harried human driver, overtaking slower-moving cars and darting into traffic gaps. “Driver profile now has a stronger impact on behaviour,” Tesla says. “The more assertive the profile, the higher the max speed.” Also new is the ability to choose how your trip will end, with your Tesla now able to pull into your driveway, or park at the front of your house. Alternatively, you can choose a carpark or indoor carpark. If that’s the on-paper changes, the real-world result is nothing short of staggering. One of my biggest complaints with self-driving technology is that it takes longer to get somewhere than if you drove yourself – especially in a busy city, where lane selection and gap seizing is absolutely crucial. But Tesla FSDS V14 pretty comprehensively addresses those concerns. My first journey was a 33km trek from the edge of Sydney’s Northern Beaches to the city’s inner west, on a rain-soaked afternoon on the edge of School Zone chaos, and at no point was I forced to intervene. Twice with an exit approaching in less than 800m, my Tesla Model 3 left its lane to overtake a vehicle travelling just under the speed limit ahead of me, cutting back into the correct lane in time to take the exit. In previous iterations, I’ve found the technology’s patience is a lot more forgiving than my own, but that was not the case this time, with the Tesla also quick to change into a faster-moving lane when it spotted an opening, too. When I arrived home, my Model 3 parked in a space out the front of my house, like it had been asked to. The changes might not sound revolutionary, and the core technology isn't that different from when FSDS first launched in Australia, but the on-road feel is massively different, with the system now feeling far more natural and human-like in its reaction times and decision making. Or to put it another way, I have now taken several trips in the Model 3, and the only time I have intervened is when I doubted the vehicle's ability to navigate a dangerous-feeling situation. That's not to say the system would have failed, just that I don't yet have the courage to launch it into a complicated and busy intersection on a dark and rain-soaked Sydney evening. Downsides? You might have noticed I said "near-flawless", and that is because Tesla's FSDS still has an uncanny ability to pick out a pot hole, of which there are many on Australian roads. Even when cars ahead swerved around them, the Model 3 clanged through them. Another time it clipped the edge of what appeared to be a bit of bumper in its lane, while cars ahead and behind dodged it. But even this is on the list for future updates, with Tesla promising to "add pothole avoidance" in its next update.

For the first time in Australia, electric cars are outselling diesel ones in what appears to be a major turning point for the Australian market. The latest data, compiled from both the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Electric Vehicle Council, shows registrations of electric cars have more than doubled year-on-year, and now account for just under 20 per cent of Australia’s new car market. This is the culmination of multiple factors, including an influx of affordable Chinese models as the country’s behemoth manufacturers seek export markets to flee tough local conditions, and Australia’s new vehicle efficiency standards (NVES) heavily incentivise lower-emissions models, either to avoid fines or rack up credits. On top of this, skyrocketing fuel prices have clearly made many Australians think twice about committing to another combustion car, and the prospect of government incentives ending further down the track as outlined in the latest federal budget has no doubt only bolstered the latest figures. Digging into the data and one thing becomes obvious - amongst the 10 best-selling EVs, all of them were built in China.  In what should come as a warning to legacy automakers yet to embrace “China Speed” as part of their business model in our market, even the most successful models from Tesla and Kia are built in China. This trend looks to continue, with Mazda the next brand to introduce Chinese joint-venture models via the Mazda 6e sedan and CX-6e SUV, both of which use Changan platforms. The Japanese giant will no doubt be betting heavily on these two models to reduce its market-leading projected fine under the new NVES rules. Nissan will also begin to introduce its array of successful-in-China Dongfeng-based models in the coming years, with Suzuki, Toyota and Volkswagen potentially being left behind as they continue to source cars from more traditional manufacturing locations like Japan, Thailand and Europe. May in particular was a bumper one, not just for market leader Tesla, but also for keen newcomers Jaecoo and Geely. BYD dominates nearly half of the top-10 charts, including the Atto 2 and Atto 1, which both arrived in 2026. EV Sales May 2026 The year-to-date numbers paint a slightly different, but overall familiar story, with the Model Y managing to maintain its lead over the Sealion 7. Some year-to-date surprises include Geely’s EX5 rising to third place and Jaecoo’s aggressively-priced J5 has largely captured the entry-level EV space. Zeekr has had a huge year off the back of the launch of its 7X as it keeps up with its big order bank, and Kia has managed to hold onto 9th place with its relatively popular EV5. The Tesla Model 3 is in seventh place and is the only sedan on the list. EV sales year-to-date 2026 It is hard to say what this chart will look like by the end of 2026, although the complete and ongoing re-shuffle of Australia’s favourite cars looks to continue. One thing is for sure though, China has the market well and truly cornered on fully electric cars in Australia.

The electric car sales boom is still in full swing, with the latest data revealing a record-breaking month for Tesla in Australia. Tesla sold 6433 units in May 2026, equating to the highest single month recorded for the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) ever.  This sales surge has been mainly driven by the Tesla Model Y SUV, which achieved 5605 sales in May 2026, more than 2000 units up compared to May 2025. This latest data likely cements the Model Y as the best-selling electric vehicle in Australia, with the BYD Sealion 7 and Zeekr 7 still trailing the popular Tesla. The Model 3 sedan has also seen a big sales boost for May, more than doubling its total compared to the same time last year.  Tesla’s increasing sales comes after the brand launched its six-seater Model Y L in Australia, adding further diversity to its lineup.  Tesla experienced a tricky April this year, with both its Model Y and Model 3 copping big downturns in sales. The brand said delivery cycles impact how sales numbers look on a month-to-month basis, with differing numbers of cars being imported into the country.  Polestar has also experienced some sales growth, with its Polestar 4 up nearly 40 per cent on year-to-date.  It comes as high fuel prices continue to weigh on the minds of buyers, accelerating the EV transition. EVC Chief Executive Officer Julie Delvecchio said this data was a crucial point in the EV push. "May 2026 is an important moment for Australia's EV transition - the strongest month on record for combined Tesla and Polestar sales,” Delvecchio said.  “When fuel prices hurt, people look for alternatives. Electric vehicles offer exactly that - no trips to the servo, no price spikes at the pump, savings of around $3,000 a year. “We know Australians buy cars that save them money, suit their lifestyle and perform well. Record EV sales suggest more Australians are finding electric vehicles tick all three boxes.” Chinese brands such as BYD have also been getting in on the increasing popularity of EVs, with its Sealion 7 mid-sizer expected to continue its strong sales performance in Australia. 

Sedans used to be the staple of many brands in Australia, from the Holden Commodore to the Toyota Camry, but the SUV boom has seen numbers drop off significantly. Ten years ago, in 2016, the Toyota Camry was the fifth best-selling car in Australia, followed by the Commodore sedan in sixth. Fast forward to 2025, Toyota's sedan was the 35th best-selling car in the country, and the Commodore was nowhere to be seen. In 2026 there have been less than 10,000 mid-size sedan sales in Australia so far compared to mid-size SUVs, where almost 100,000 have already been sold.  The Camry is still the dominant player in the sedan-only segment, owning nearly 70 per cent, but it looks like China’s next battleground in Australia will be a shot at shaking its dominance. BYD has led the way in this respect and it already has a fully-electric Seal and the just-launched plug-in hybrid Seal 6 on the market. The Seal in particular made some successful inroads into the sedan space. It accounts for the majority of sales outside of the Camry and the Tesla Model 3. The brand is not stopping there, with a larger Seal 7 plug-in hybrid sedan now approved for sale in Australia. MG is another brand focussing on sedans, having already brought in its MG5 a few years ago and the MG7 in 2026, both to middling levels of success so far. It’s not just BYD and MG that are getting in on the sedan act, however, with Geely confirming its Emgrand sedan next year initially in plug-in hybrid form, but possibly also plugless at a later date. Additionally the China-built Tesla Model 3 remains one of the best-selling EVs in the country. There are also 'legacy' brands pinning their hopes on a strong-selling sedan.  Mazda recently launched its fully-electric 6e sedan, which is based on the Deepal L07 (not yet sold in Australia) - another China-made model.  The 6e is a crucial model for Mazda as it looks to turn around extensive fines incurred under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) due to its predominantly petrol-powered range. The electric 6e saw its initiative pre-order allocation run out very quickly, starting from $49,990 (before on-road costs), highlighting early signs of it achieving its potential. Korean brands Kia and Hyundai have also seen solid sales from its hatch/sedan models, with the K4 and i30 plugging along with a decent amount of registrations, which will be bolstered thanks to the arrival of desirable plugless hybrid versions of both. As usual, price is a key factor where Chinese sedans are providing an enticing alternative, bucking the trend of sedans becoming more expensive as buyers focus on SUVs. While the Mazda 2 is the most affordable sedan on sale at just $28,490, it is the sought-after hybrid tech luring buyers to newer options. The plug-in hybrid Seal 6, for example, starts from $34,990, which is $5000 more affordable than the plug-less hybrid-only Camry, and it is both larger and offers genuine EV range over the barely more affordable Hyundai i30 plugless hybrid (from $33,250). It will no doubt be a similar story for Geely's Emgrand EM-i which is set to launch in 2027. While SUVs remain the biggest seller in Australia, this new wave of affordable and electrified sedans could see the once bustling segment reignited. The question remains whether this array of new options will just fragment a shrinking part of the market, or whether buyers are now looking for something different from the SUV trend.