Elon Musk's solution for Tesla drivers in right-hand-drive countries is bizarre
Published on Jul 05, 2023 at 4:15 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Jul 06, 2023 at 2:32 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Alessandro Renesis
Tesla is phasing out production of right-hand-drive models, which is bad news for buyers in countries like Japan, the UK and Australia.
But it gets worse.
The American automaker came up with a workaround solution for the issue and it’s making everything a lot weirder.
READ MORE: Tesla Cybertruck looking production ready as tease continues with latest outing
The EV maker has introduced something called The Reacher.
The Reacher is literally an extendable plastic grabbing stick that you can use to reach the other side of the car.
This, in Tesla’s mind, is what UK drivers are supposed to use whenever they have to retrieve a parking ticket from a machine or grab a burger from a drive-thru.
Imagine driving a $100,000 Tesla Model S and using that to grab your food at a drive-thru.
Even worse, imagine telling people it was an official Tesla product.
Tesla made the decision to stop making RHD versions for the Model S and Model X to lower production costs.
So if you’re based in the UK, or any other country where the steering wheel is on the right-hand side of the vehicle, you’re going to have to make do with LHD versions of these models.
Alternatively, you can still get a Model 3 and Model Y with the steering wheel on the right.
The Reacher does sound like an Easter Egg, even though it isn’t, and the financial consequences of Tesla’s decision will be clear in the near future.
Tesla knows this will affect sales, but presumably the company also knows how much money it’ll save by not making RHD versions of those two models.
Hopefully, they did the math right.
In the meantime, the internet is doing what it does best: having an opinion.
“What a sheer act of arrogance from Tesla,” one user said.
“Shame on Tesla,” another wrote.
Mind you, some people aren’t particularly displeased.
“Elon Musk trolling the Brexit country,” a Twitter user commented.
“If Tesla reintroduces RHD, and only a limited number of the Reachers are given, they might become rare collectibles,” another said.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
