The Tesla Model 3 (Business Insider)
  • Elon Musk on Tuesday tweeted that a Tesla dealership will probably open in South Africa by the end of 2019.
  • The price for the Model 3 - Tesla’s cheapest vehicle - starts at R500,000, but that excludes South Africa's hefty import tax. 
  • Preorders for the Model 3 already opened in South Africa in 2016. 

South Africans will be able to buy a Tesla electric vehicles by the end of 2019, if billionaire Elon Musk keeps to his word.

The cheapest of its cars, the Tesla Model 3, starts at R500,000 - before import costs and South Africa’s 25% duty on imported electric vehicles are considered.

In reply to a tweet on Tuesday morning, South African-born Musk said Tesla would likely open a South African store in 2019.

Read: You can soon buy a Tesla in South Africa - here's everything you need to know, including prices and specs

In 2016, the 47-year-old entrepreneur tweeted that Tesla's cheapest car, the Model 3, would be heading to South Africa. 

The Tesla Model 3 at launch (Business Insider)

The Model 3 starts at $34,200 (roughly R500,000) for the base model which will be available early 2019. The longer range model costs $41,200 (R600,000) and the performance version costs $52,200 (R750,000). 

For an extra $5,000 (R70,000) drivers can also add Enhanced Autopilot to the Tesla which will help steer, accelerate and brake the car for you. 

Sensors on the Tesla Model 3 (supplied)

Enhanced Autopilot also automatically change lanes on highways to overtake other cars or navigate to interchanges and exits.

The Model 3 can seat five people and has a range of around 355 km. The performance model has a range of roughly 500km. 

The interior of the Tesla Model 3 (Business Insider)

The vehicle can charge anywhere where there is an electrical plug. It comes in five different exterior colours, and black and white interior colours. 

The front trunk of the Tesla Model 3 (Business Insider)

The Model 3 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km per hour in just 5.1 seconds - with a top speed of 225 km. The Performance can reach that speed in just 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 250 km. 

(Business Insider)

Musk has previously described the Model 3 as an entry level model, designed specifically for mass appeal. 

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