Seems really expensive given when these were last in the USA they were offering $99 a month leases for 36 months, and you got the tax credits as though this was a purchased vehicle which nearly covered all of the monthly lease payments.

I don't think there are many places in the world where cars are as cheap as in the USA. The prices in Australia also include taxes and fees, which I don't think is a practice in the states.

Taxes and fees would amount to at most 3-4k in the US on the 35k car, depending on the specific local taxes.