After Tesla cut the prices of its EVs a few days ago, the Model 3 sedan’s wait time in China is unchanged, as per CnEVPost. Meanwhile, it is slightly longer for the well-liked Model Y crossover.
Delivery dates
Tesla manufactures the Model 3 and Model Y in a facility in Shanghai. In China, the company now offers three versions of the Model Y and two versions of the Model 3.
According to Tesla’s China website, the double all-wheel drive Model Y Long Range and the entry-level rear-wheel drive Model Y have updated expected delivery dates of 2 to 5 weeks instead of the previous 1-4 weeks.
The Model Y Performance with dual motors and all-wheel drive continues to have a 1–4 week delivery window. The anticipated delivery times for the two Model 3 models—the base rear-wheel drive model and the double-motor all-wheel drive Model 3 Performance—remain the same, at 1-4 weeks. Specifications and other details about these models, such as price, stay the same.
Price cuts
On January 6, Tesla significantly reduced the costs of the entire Model 3 and Model Y in China. The starting price of the base Model 3 is now RMB 229,900 ($33,430), down from the previous price of RMB 265,900. It is the Model 3’s lowest-ever starting price in China; it is even lower than the RMB 249,900 starting in January 2021.
The updated starting price for Model Y is RMB 259,900, which is RMB 29,900 less than the previous price of RMB 288.900. Tesla has reduced costs in China for the second time in three months due to the country’s slumping demand, slowing economy, and escalating competition.
Shortly after they had just been delivered, the devaluation of their vehicles sparked widespread protests from owners at Tesla showrooms throughout China.
The China Business Herald quoted a woman with the last name Li saying that Tesla salespeople had previously pushed her to take delivery of her vehicle, telling her that her price was the lowest ever.
“I didn’t expect that less than a week after getting delivery, I lost more than 30,000 RMB.”
Unnamed source
According to the report, Tesla’s price reduction was expected given its lower operating expenses, citing Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association. According to a CnEVPost report published late last month, the price of lithium carbonate, a vital component of batteries, has been declining recently.
