Are Modern Car Brands Taking the Mick Out of Wellingtonians? A Local’s Guide to Tesla and More

The Rising Costs of Car Ownership in Our Windy City

Here in Wellington, where the wind never seems to stop and the hills are as steep as the prices, we’re all talking about the cost of owning a car. Over the last five years, owning a motor in our city has gone up by a whopping 15%, according to the Wellington Regional Council. That’s quite a bit more than the national average of 8%. It’s not just the cars themselves; it’s the upkeep, insurance, and dealing with our unique landscape that’s pushing the costs up.

Take Tesla, for example. They’ve zoomed into Wellington with a 30% sales increase last year, which is impressive. But their Model 3 starts at around NZD $70,000, which is a fair bit more than similar electric cars from Nissan or Hyundai, which you can get for about NZD $50,000. Some of us reckon Tesla’s playing on our green conscience with these prices, especially since there aren’t many service centres here, meaning more travel for maintenance, which adds to the cost.

Then there are the luxury brands like BMW and Audi, with their fancy electric models like the i3 and e-tron, starting over NZD $80,000. Consumer NZ pointed out that these brands charge extra for what’s standard in less posh cars. It’s all well and good for brand prestige, but does it really suit our narrow streets and hilly roads? And let’s not forget, a study by the AA showed that keeping these luxury cars running can cost 20-30% more than your average Toyota or Honda. With our salty sea air speeding up wear and tear, that’s a real kick in the wallet.

And it’s not just about buying the car. Replacing a Tesla battery after 8-10 years could set you back over NZD $15,000. That’s a hefty sum for any Wellingtonian to fork out.

What We Wellingtonians Think and How the Market’s Playing Out

Feelings are mixed among us car buyers here. A survey by the Wellington City Council and local dealers found that 60% of us think these modern car brands are overcharging, with Tesla being a sore point for 40% of that crowd. We love the tech, but does it really fit our city’s needs? The fancy autopilot features are less useful on our twisty roads than on the open road.

The market’s been nudged by government subsidies for electric cars, which has bumped up demand and prices. Stats NZ tells us that since these subsidies kicked in, electric car prices in Wellington have risen by 12%, while regular cars only went up by 5%. This means brands like Tesla can keep their prices high because there’s this artificial demand.

There’s not much competition in the electric car scene here either. While Nissan and Hyundai have good options, they’re not as visible or pushed as Tesla, letting Tesla keep their prices sky-high. Consumer rights groups are now pushing for more transparency in pricing and educating us on the real cost of owning these cars. They’re holding workshops to help us understand how much these cars might depreciate. For instance, a Tesla Model S might lose half its value in three years, while a Toyota Corolla only loses about 30%, according to Trade Me Motors.

Our Council and Green Policies: What’s Happening?

Our Wellington City Council’s not sitting back. They’re pushing for less car dependency with better public transport and car-sharing schemes. Their 2021 transport strategy aims to cut private car ownership by 10% by 2030, which might make car brands rethink their pricing.

With our city aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050, there are incentives for electric cars, but they often benefit the richer folks who can afford Teslas. A study from Victoria University showed these policies might not be fair, as they help those who can splash out on premium electric cars, while the rest of us might stick with cheaper, less green options.

The council’s also started charging electric vehicles for road use, which has stirred some debate. It’s meant to make things fair, but some worry it might put people off electric cars. This could push brands like Tesla to adjust their pricing to stay competitive, especially when we’re all looking at the total cost of owning a car.

And to help out, the council’s put in free charging stations in public car parks, which is great, but it mostly helps those with cars like Teslas that can go the distance, not always the best fit for our city driving.

What Can We Do, Wellington?

So, what’s a savvy Wellingtonian to do? First off, we need to get clued up. Knowing the full cost of owning a car, from fuel to maintenance to resale, can save us from a financial headache. Consumer NZ has some handy tools for this.

Next, we should haggle at local dealerships. Wellington’s got a competitive scene, and there are often deals to be had, especially during events like the Wellington Auto Show.

Leasing or using car subscription services like MobiGo could be a smart move too, avoiding the big upfront cost of buying.

Lastly, we can band together. By supporting local campaigns for fair pricing and transparency, we can push back against brands that might be taking us for a ride. Chatting in community forums, on social media, or through local consumer groups can really make a difference, possibly leading to changes in how these brands price their cars here.

In the end, while brands like Tesla bring cool tech and help our environment, we’ve got to keep an eye on whether we’re getting ripped off. With smart choices, supportive policies, and a bit of community spirit, we can make sure we’re getting our money’s worth in Wellington, both for our wallets and our world.