China-made Model 3

Tesla CEO Elon Musk attend a delivery Ceremony of Made-in-China Model 3s in Shanghai Gigafactory 3: Let's dance

Tesla CEO Elon Musk attend a delivery Ceremony of Made-in-China Model 3s in Shanghai Gigafactory 3: Let's dance

Tesla kicked off production in China, marking a major step in Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk’s global push for electric-vehicle domination and heralding what could be the dawn of real competition in the world’s largest EV market.

On January 7, 2019, Elon Musk visited the Lingang area of Pudong district, East China, in order to breaking ground for Tesla's first automotive plant outside the United States. 

A construction site of a Tesla factory during a ground-breaking ceremony for the factory in Shanghai. STR/AFP/Getty Images

January 7, 2020, on the anniversary day, Elon Musk visited the Shanghai Gigafactory.

Musk arrived at Gigafactory 3 to attend the Tesla MIC Model 3 delivery event in China. Before the ceremony began, he spent time with the leaders of Tesla China and factory workers.

Musk handed over the first electric cars manufactured at the company's new plant to customers in China. Gigafactory 3 was raised in record time and is designed to help the American manufacturer achieve greater success in the world's largest automotive market.

Initially, Chinese buyers will receive a mid-range Model 3 car. But Musk has announced the launch of a program for the future Model Y mid-range SUV in Shanghai. Ultimately, the demand for the Model Y will be greater than all other Tesla cars combined, he predicted. The second brand SUV after the larger Model X will also be built with more advanced production technologies, which Tesla will introduce later.

Musk also said the company is planning a development center in China. A new electric car should be designed for the global market. He didn't say what kind of vehicle it was. Musk himself spoke, perhaps, of "something radical."

And now it's time to dance

 

About the Author

Eva Fox

Eva Fox

Eva Fox joined Tesmanian in 2019 to cover breaking news as an automotive journalist. The main topics that she covers are clean energy and electric vehicles. As a journalist, Eva is specialized in Tesla and topics related to the work and development of the company.

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