In a stunning discovery, three Tesla Roadsters were recently uncovered in a container at a Chinese port. The rare electric cars had never been driven and had been sitting abandoned for an incredible 13 years.
The Roadster was Tesla’s first-ever vehicle model and was released in 2008. Over 2,500 units were sold between 2008 and 2012, when Tesla discontinued production to focus on the Model S. The Roadster boasted a 56-kWh battery that could go up to 390 km on a single charge.
The three abandoned Roadsters, all 2010 models, were purchased by a Chinese entrepreneur who shipped them to China. However, for reasons unknown, they were left untouched at the port for over a decade. Eventually, the current owner acquired them and enlisted the help of Tesla repair specialist Groove Motor Company to sell the vehicles.
The three Roadsters were sold at an online auction, with the highest bid coming in at $700,000 per car. This totals to over $9 million for all three, making them some of the most expensive Tesla vehicles ever sold. In comparison, a similar used Roadster sold for $295,000 in 2022.
The sale has generated excitement among collectors and enthusiasts, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk acknowledging that the Roadster is becoming increasingly rare. Groove Motor Company CEO, Jason Calahan, plans to inspect the battery performance of the vehicles before finalizing the sale, but he believes they would be better suited for display in a museum than in the hands of a wealthy collector.
The discovery of these three abandoned Roadsters adds to the mystique surrounding Tesla’s first-ever vehicle model. It’s a rare find that reminds us of the incredible innovation that Tesla has brought to the automotive industry.