Tesla sold 67,829 China-made vehicles at wholesale in October 2026, an increase of 10.3% from a year earlier but a decline of 28.88% from September. The preliminary figures, released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Tuesday, marked the lowest monthly total since February. Wholesale sales include vehicles delivered to the domestic Chinese market and exports from Tesla’s Shanghai factory.
October’s result was the second-lowest monthly wholesale volume recorded by Tesla China so far this year, ahead of only February’s 58,599 units. The decline followed September’s year-to-date high and came despite the company maintaining year-on-year sales growth throughout the first 10 months of 2026.
Tesla China Maintains Year-on-Year Growth
Tesla China’s wholesale sales increased 10.3% year on year in October, accelerating from the 5.01% growth recorded in September.
For the first 10 months of 2026, cumulative wholesale sales reached 810,889 vehicles, up 21.42% compared with the same period last year. However, the growth rate eased from 22.54% recorded during the first nine months.
The CPCA’s preliminary October data did not include a breakdown of domestic deliveries and exports, leaving the contribution of each channel to the monthly result unclear.
Exports Support Shanghai Factory Sales
Exports have become an increasingly important part of Tesla’s China-made vehicle sales, helping offset weaker domestic deliveries in the Chinese market.
In September, the Shanghai factory exported 30,529 vehicles, an increase of 58.29% year on year. Domestic deliveries, meanwhile, declined 9.35% to 64,837 units.
During the first nine months of 2026, Tesla delivered 381,088 vehicles in China, down 11.93% from a year earlier. Exports from the Shanghai factory rose 108.44% to 361,972 vehicles over the same period.
Exports represented 48.71% of Tesla China’s wholesale sales during the first nine months, compared with 28.64% in the corresponding period last year. The figures highlight the growing role of overseas markets in the Shanghai plant’s distribution.
October Decline Follows Record Third Quarter
Tesla China’s October wholesale sales declined following a strong third quarter, when the company recorded its highest quarterly wholesale volume.
Wholesale sales reached 275,111 vehicles in the third quarter, up 13.73% year on year and 8.08% from the second quarter.
The monthly decline in October contrasted with continued growth in China’s broader passenger new energy vehicle (NEV) market.
The CPCA estimated that nationwide passenger NEV wholesale sales reached 1.8 million units in October, representing increases of 12% year on year and 8% from September.
Based on the preliminary estimates, Tesla China’s wholesale sales growth was slightly below the wider passenger NEV market’s year-on-year expansion. Its month-on-month decline also differed from the broader market’s increase.