Tesla’s highly-anticipated Model S and Model X vehicles are finally making their way to China, with the first batch being imported in small numbers. On February 28th, six pure electric Tesla cars arrived at the Nangang terminal in Shanghai Yangshan Port and were inspected by customs officers on-site.
This marks the first shipment of the new Tesla Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid to China by sea since their launch. Tesla is eager to complete customs clearance as soon as possible so that the new models can be made available in the Chinese market.
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The timing of this shipment comes after Tesla announced the prices of the new Model S and Model X in China, which are not produced locally. This was done simultaneously with a significant price reduction for the Model 3 and Model Y.
Tesla’s move to import these highly sought-after electric cars to China is a strategic one. The country is currently the world’s largest car market and is shifting its focus towards electric vehicles, with a target of having them make up 25% of new car sales by 2025. With the Chinese market being so crucial, Tesla is keen to ensure that they can offer their latest and greatest models to Chinese customers.
The Tesla Model S is available in China in two versions : a regular dual-motor all-wheel-drive version and a Plaid tri-motor all-wheel-drive version. The Model S starts at RMB 789,900 ($113,900) while the Model S Plaid begins at RMB 1,009,900. Similarly, the Model X is also available in China in two versions: a regular dual-motor all-wheel-drive version and a Plaid tri-motor all-wheel-drive version, which start at RMB 879,900 and RMB 1,039,900, respectively.
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Tesla has not yet specified when these models will be delivered to Chinese customers, but the expected delivery dates for all versions of the Model S and Model X in China are during the second quarter, as indicated on its website.
Meanwhile, Tesla Giga Shanghai is also actively producing vehicles, according to the Shanghai Securities News. In the first two months of the year, approximately 47,000 Tesla electric vehicles were exported through the Nangang terminal on roll-on-roll-off ships, representing an increase of 11.4 percent compared to the previous year.
