Tesla Electric Sedan Due in Japan Next Year

Tesla Motors Inc. says it will begin shipping its Model S electric sedan to Japan early next year. The company has been taking orders for the car from Japanese buyers since last year.

The company did not announce pricing for Japan, where the Tesla Roadster sports car sells for $163,000. The sedan starts at $49,800 in the U.S. but is expected to cost more in Japan. Tesla aims to produce 5,000 Model S units this year and 20,000 in 2013.

The company says the Model S battery has about 30% more capacity than the one in the Roadster. The sedan's 300-mile range is greater than any other EV sold in Japan, a selling point Tesla says will attract buyers.