Tesla launches in Latvia and Uruguay, expanding on two continents

Tesla is opening two new markets this week, in Latvia and Uruguay, though neither has much direct bearing on US homeowners. In Latvia, Tesla's first store opens August 21 in Riga, with the Model 3 and Model Y already available to order online. Pricing before the country's 21% sales tax runs from about €30,990 for the Model 3 up to €53,490 for the top Model Y. The Model 3 was already Latvia's best-selling EV even without an official Tesla presence, and the country's charging network grew 77% in the past year.

In Uruguay, Tesla is now selling the Model 3 and Model Y directly, shipped from its Shanghai factory, with prices from $32,990 to $49,990 depending on the model and range. Uruguay is a small car market, but electric vehicles already make up close to 30% of new sales there, and the country's electricity grid ran on 99% renewable sources in 2024, one of the cleanest anywhere.

For homeowners, the real story is bigger picture: Tesla's sales have slowed in the US, Europe, and China, so the company is chasing growth in smaller countries instead. It's a sign of how competitive the EV market has become globally, though it doesn't change pricing, incentives, or vehicle options here at home.