Electric Tesla roadster for SA?

Tesla has confirmed that right-hand-drive variants of its all-electric roadster will go on sale in 2010. 

The California-based company announced the news at the opening of its flagship European showroom in London, from which it hopes to sell up to 100 cars in its first year.

Elon Musk, Tesla’s chairman and CEO, was born and raised in South Africa, which means that the electric car pioneer could explore sales for it right-hand-drive sports car here too.

Despite the recession, Tesla is confident that there is still a market for a £94 000 zero-emissions sports car.
“We expect the London store to dramatically increase our brand identity throughout the continent,” said Musk.

Musk also hinted that Tesla are looking at other right-hand-drive markets. “With right-hand-drive models due at the beginning of next year, the UK market will provide a solid foundation on which to build this.”

In May, Daimler confirmed plans to buy a 10% stake in the company, following a series of financial setbacks for Tesla over the last year, including a lawsuit involving rival Fisker Automotive and credit problems that forced the company to seek $350m of US government aid.