Tesla's 'sketchy' move with electric cars abandoned in overgrown field

Rows and rows of unsold cars in overflow lots isn't an unusual sight anywhere in the world, but 'hundreds' of 2024 model Teslas pictured abandoned in an overgrown field has highlighted concern among enthusiasts and would-be owners about declining demand for the electric car brand — and unwanted intruders.

"Does anyone know what this is?" a confused EV enthusiast asked online, sharing images and describing "hundreds of Model 3s in an overgrown lot." Rows of the 2024 Model 3's along with several from 2023 and 2022 can be seen sitting idle in overgrown grass".

While typically overflow vehicles would sit in fenced-in paved or gravel parking lots— it was confirmed that the Teslas in the image, captured in a field in Tampa, Florida, were being held in the field by a Tesla store at the International Plaza as an overflow lot for delivery centres.

While some who viewed the images were quick to joke that the "models 3s are grazing", others thought the move was "sketchy" — with many pointing out moisture build up in tall grass could cause rust — or even make a comfortable home for a snake or rodent.

Tesla contends with major market shift

The scene comes as electric cars become more widespread, but so too does the competition which sees manufacturers fight for every buyer. Tesla has hit a stumbling block as cheaper options like BYD hit the market, prompting a recent drastic price cut of some of its electric vehicles by as much as $20,000 "almost overnight" as increased competition sees manufacturers fight for every buyer.

Tesla recently announced that it delivered 443,956 new vehicles worldwide — and produced 410,831 – between April and June of this year, marking a 4.8 per cent decline compared to the same period last year. Concerningly, it comes after an even sharper drop of 8.5 per cent between January and March.

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Snakes hiding in cars is common in Australia

It wouldn't be the first time that a reptile or creature made its way into a car parked in similar surroundings. Last year, an Aussie motorist got the shock of his life when a three-foot snake slithered through the engine of his camper van.

Another Aussie woman was horrified when she came face-to-face with a venomous snake in her Mazda CX7. It was "10 cm away" from her hands, she told Yahoo at the time.

WIRES volunteer Gary Pattison previously told Yahoo that if a snake, or any other creature, makes its way inside your car, the most important thing to do is call a professional.

“It’s not looking for a confrontation whatsoever. Just pull the car to the side of the road, hazard flashes on, get out and call a professional to come and get the snake out of the car,” he said.

The volunteer, who has been studying snakes for the past 25 years, said “it’s imperative” that once the snake is rescued, it be released in its area of origin, so it’s important to tell the snake handler where the reptile came from.

“They don’t do well out of their comfort zone with threats they’re unfamiliar with,” he added.

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