Tesla Unveils China-Made Model 3 at Beijing Trade Fair
On September 2, Tesla revealed its restyled, China-made Model 3 sedan to the public at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing. This comes just a day after the launch of the vehicle in several countries. The U.S. automaker showcased a flame red version of the car, marking the first change to its mass-market car lineup since the introduction of the Model Y in 2020.
The launch of the new Model 3 is significant as it is the first time Tesla has rolled out a vehicle in China ahead of the United States. This highlights the growing reliance of the automaker on the Chinese market, where it faces stiff competition from local company BYD in the race for market share.
Built at Tesla’s Shanghai plant, the China-made Model 3 will not only serve the domestic market but will also be exported to other markets in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Some of the vehicle’s new features, such as a rear display for back-seat passengers, seem to be aimed specifically at Chinese buyers.
At the trade fair, Tesla sales staff engaged with interested buyers, answering their questions and providing more details about the car. One visitor, a 22-year-old university student called Guo, expressed his interest in the debut of the Model 3, particularly highlighting the upgrades to the car’s audio system and the rear display. Guo mentioned that these features would prevent back-seat passengers from getting bored during rides.
However, not all attendees were convinced about placing an order for a Tesla. Hu, a visitor at the Tesla booth, stated that there was no special reason for her to buy a Tesla since there are many new energy vehicles available in the market.
Tesla plans to exhibit the new Model 3 at the Munich auto show, which is set to open on Tuesday. This will provide more opportunities for potential buyers and automotive enthusiasts to explore the latest offering from the electric car manufacturer.
Reporting by Xiaoyu Yin, Jing Xu, and Brenda Goh; Editing by Ros Russell