This week in Shanghai, close to one million people are expected to visit China’s biggest automotive exposition. They’ll be able to poke around in thousands of new cars as more than 1,000 different companies show off their latest models and updated technologies. They’ll see the latest and greatest from China’s own fast-moving car companies while Western brands like General Motors and Volkswagen scramble to keep up.
But they won’t see anything from Tesla.
As was the case at the last Shanghai Auto Show in 2023, the world’s biggest electric vehicle manufacturer is skipping out on the world’s biggest electric vehicle market. While China was still important enough to be the launch market for its most important vehicle, the updated “Juniper” Model Y, Tesla’s one-time dominance there is being called into question as new players offer a wider range of cars with even more advanced features.
tesla china delivery center
Tu Le, the founder and director of the research firm Sino Auto Insights, said that by skipping the show, Tesla may have missed a chance to build awareness and stave off some of the new Chinese EV competition. However, that would’ve required a glut of new products that it simply does not have.
“It’s not too surprising,” Le said. “They have nothing to show, and it would’ve been very difficult for them to stand out in any significant way. Tesla’s decline in China is a product (or lack thereof) issue.”
Tesla no longer responds to requests for comment from American news outlets. But its strategy at auto shows—large, regional events where automakers announce new products to the media and then allow the general public to get hands-on with their latest models—has been inconsistent for years. It showed off a prototype of the upcoming steering-wheel-free Cybercab at the LA Auto Show last year and hauled out the then-new Highland Model 3 at IAA Munich in 2023.
But that same year, Tesla also passed on China’s biggest auto show in Shanghai, despite having a factory nearby and the event being held in its second-largest car market. The 2023 Shanghai show was the first major international auto show in China since the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. It also served as a wake-up call to just how advanced the local EV market had become.
Shanghai International Auto Show” width=”16″ height=”9″ loading=”lazy”/>Photo by: Patrick George
2025 Shanghai International Auto Show
None of that, of course, would’ve been possible without Tesla. As many people told InsideEVs during our trip to the Shanghai Auto Show, CEO Elon Musk and his company helped make EVs “cool” in China—but it also kickstarted a wave of local competition that took the Tesla template and ran with it. Today, many EVs in China can be charitably described as Tesla-like: made with advanced new manufacturing techniques, powered by connected software, and featuring a user interface centered around a large screen.
To be clear, Tesla maintains a strong presence in China and that has been reflected in its sales. But the new competition in China offers those kinds of features, and then some. An Onvo L60, from the automaker Nio, dramatically undercuts the Model 3 and Model Y in price. Other Nio models feature the increasingly popular battery-swapping feature. And BYD, which surpassed Tesla in EV production last year, showed off a pair of models with its new Megawatt charging, capable of adding about 250 miles of range in just five minutes.
Photo by: Patrick George
Onvo L60 at the 2025 Shanghai International Auto Show
So while EV buyers in America and Europe are wondering where Tesla is on meeting such competitors, customers in China seem to be saying the same thing. And signs point to buyers there moving elsewhere, Le said.
“[Model Y] Juniper started deliveries in early January, so it’s only been out in the market for a couple of months, if we take January and some of February away because of Chinese New Year,” he said. “And they’ve already significantly given it a non-price price cut by offering five years’ interest-free just last week. That’s not a good sign for them for the rest of this year.”
Meanwhile, as Musk has staked Tesla’s future on autonomous driving, recent developments in China may put a damper on that dream. In March, three university students died when the Xiaomi SU7 they were in crashed into a concrete barrier moments after alerting the driver to take over from its automated driving assistance mode.
The crash has China and its auto sector on edge; indeed, it came up frequently at this year’s Shanghai show. As a result of the incident, China’s government has cracked down on the marketing of such systems to ensure people don’t believe they are truly “self-driving.” Yet this comes right as Musk continues to seek regulatory approval for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system there.
So if Tesla has to compete in China, for now, it may be doing so on the merits of its cars alone—which potential customers didn’t get to see on the biggest stage possible.
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Tesla Skips Shanghai Auto Show: A Sign of Shifting Tides in the EV Market? – Expert analysis
Table of Contents
The Shanghai Auto Show, a massive event drawing almost a million visitors, is in full swing this week. But one major player is conspicuously absent: tesla.We sat down with automotive industry analyst, Dr. Anya sharma, to delve into why Tesla is skipping this crucial event and what it signifies for the future of the EV market, notably in China.
Q&A with Dr.Anya Sharma, Automotive Industry Analyst
Time.news Editor: Dr. Sharma, thanks for joining us. The Shanghai Auto Show is huge. Why do you think Tesla has chosen to skip it two years in a row?
Dr. Anya Sharma: It’s a complex situation. The primary reason seems to be a lack of new products to showcase that would meaningfully differentiate them. Tesla’s skipping the Shanghai Auto Show could be an indication of product pipeline weakness. While the “Juniper” Model Y update is crucial, they may not see it as enough to make a splash against the increasingly innovative offerings from domestic Chinese brands.
Time.news Editor: The article mentions Tesla’s dominance in China might potentially be waning due to increased competition. What’s your viewpoint on the evolving competitive landscape in China’s EV market?
Dr. Anya Sharma: The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market is arguably the most dynamic and competitive globally. Local manufacturers have been speedy to adopt and improve upon Tesla’s initial innovations. The competition isn’t just about replicating Tesla; they’re pushing the boundaries with advanced features, software integration, and diverse model options. Chinese consumers now have a wide range of choices that cater specifically to their preferences and needs.Ultimately, Tesla is struggling to stand out from Chinese EV competition where there are many brands offering innovative options.
Time.news Editor: Tu Le from Sino auto Insights suggests that Tesla might have missed an chance to build awareness by skipping the show. Do you agree?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Absolutely. The Shanghai Auto Show isn’t just about showcasing products; it’s a valuable platform for brand building and customer engagement in one of the world’s largest EV markets. Tesla’s absence will likely diminish their brand visibility and possibly allow competitors to gain further ground. Though it might be challenging to demonstrate their progress, awareness is still key to retaining a wide audience. It’s a strategic risk, particularly when competitors are actively leveraging the event to highlight their latest advancements.
Time.news Editor: The article highlights that Tesla “made EVs cool” in China, but local companies have since built on that template. What key innovations are Chinese EV manufacturers bringing to the table?
Dr. Anya Sharma: We’re seeing advancements across several domains. Chinese EVs often feature cutting-edge battery technology, offering longer ranges and faster charging times. They’re also at the forefront of autonomous driving capabilities, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and integrating over-the-air (OTA) software updates for a continually improving user experience. The interiors are also a key differentiator, with luxurious designs and user-pleasant interfaces tailored to local tastes.
Time.news Editor: What advice would you give to traditional Western automakers like GM and Volkswagen who are trying to compete in this rapidly evolving Chinese market?
Dr. anya Sharma: They need to be incredibly agile and responsive to local consumer preferences. That means investing heavily in R&D to develop EVs tailored specifically to the Chinese market, partnering with local technology companies to integrate innovative software and connectivity solutions, and streamlining their manufacturing and supply chain processes to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Furthermore, building strong relationships with the Chinese government and regulatory bodies is crucial for navigating the complexities of the Chinese market.
Key Takeaways for Our Readers
- Tesla’s absence from the Shanghai Auto Show raises questions about its competitive position in China.
- China’s EV market is incredibly dynamic, with local manufacturers rapidly innovating and gaining market share.
- Western automakers need to adapt quickly to compete effectively in China’s EV market.
- Future advancements in battery technology, autonomous driving, and software integration will shape the future of the EV industry.