Tesla has started delivering its first made-in-China Model Y compact crossover vehicles. The development represents the latest milestone in the electric vehicle company’s foray into the world’s largest market for electric cars.
State-run Xinhua News Agency reported that Tesla began delivering the locally-made crossovers today, 18th January 2021. The company did not state how many Model Y crossovers it has ready-made and delivered in China. A local Model Y buyer also said he received his vehicle at a Tesla store in Shanghai marking the start of the deliveries.
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Tesla broke ground at its Shanghai plant just two years ago in a bid to expand capacity. Manufacturing cars in China also has its advantages for the American company; Tesla can save on shipping costs and avoid import duties for the Chinese market by doing so.
The Model Y is the second Tesla vehicle that the EV maker is producing in the Shanghai plant. The first was the Model 3 sedan, which it started delivering in China early in 2020.
Tesla’s Model 3 was successful in China, it was the bestselling electric vehicle in China 2020. It sold over 138,000 vehicles according to the China Passenger Car Association. This represents an eighth of the 1.11 million EVs sold all over China in the year.
The Chinese government wants EVs to account for 20% of auto sales by 2025. This would translate to about 5 million vehicles. Tesla projects that the Shanghai plant will have the capacity to produce 500,000 vehicles every year.
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