The Japanese Government Will Pay You If You Buy A Tesla

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

The Japanese government will give you $40,354 (in ever appreciating Yen) if you buy a Tesla Roadster. Prices for a Tesla Roadster start at $152,000 in Japan, but with the government donation, that price tag will be a bit more palatable. You will have to buy the car in Japan. Most likely, you will also have to drive it there. Something will be worked out, for sure.

The Roadster has been introduced to Japan in May. It is the first imported vehicle to be approved for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry program, says The Nikkei [sub].

But don’t hesitate too long. The sign-up period for the subsidy (available for electric vehicles and clean-diesel cars) ends Feb. 8. 2011. Don’t have the money? No worries. Just charge it.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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 5 comments
  • AaronH AaronH on Aug 31, 2010

    The government steals money from those who do not buy the car and hands the loot over to those who do...This is called violence in the mind of thinking (non-public-school) adults.

    • Psarhjinian Psarhjinian on Aug 31, 2010

      Yes, yes, we got the idea the first twelve times you said it. Horse. Dead. Beating. Etc.

  • Jkross22 Jkross22 on Aug 31, 2010

    Aaron, it's not stealing... it's called income redistribution, but instead of going to needy people, it's going to the well heeled who have transportation needs that can't be met by an ICE powered car. I get money being directed to those that lost their homes due to natural disasters. To rich folk who want a weekend toy? Reminds me of our gov't subsidizing golf cart purchases because they're battery powered.

  • Invisible Invisible on Aug 31, 2010

    WAIT A MINUTE. If you listen to the UAW shills, they tell us over and over how the government of Japan goes out of their way to limit/stop the sale of cars from the USA in their country. ;-)

  • Marcus WK Marcus WK on Aug 31, 2010

    Puns are the lowest form of humor.

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