Just as the first Tesla Model Y vehicles arrive in Australia, another has been spotted testing in neighbouring New Zealand.
Earlier this week the Australian ship and delivery tracker VedaPrime revealed that three of the electric SUVs had landed down under. The news was important because they were release candidate vehicles and among the first right-hand drive (RHD) units built by Tesla.
Interestingly, the Model Y spotted in New Zealand is left-hand drive (LHD) like those made for North America. A blue Model Y with Gemini wheels was seen by Ecotricity NZ in Wanaka, a small town on the southern part of the island.
The vehicles are likely in the area for winter testing. Wanaka is the closest city to the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds (SHPG) which are located just a short 40-minute drive away.
Tesla isn’t the only electric car maker currently testing their vehicles in New Zealand. Last month a Rivian R1T, R1S, and Amazon delivery van were seen being offloaded at the airport. A Rivian employee later confirmed the vehicles needed to be certified prior to their launch in North America, which will hopefully happen very soon.
