Connect with us

News

Tesla China’s recent price increase was due to rising costs: report

Credit: Tesla Japan/X

Published

on

Tesla China has provided some explanation about its recent price hike for the Model 3 Long Range and Model Y Long Range. As per the electric vehicle maker, the recent price cuts are due to cost increases. 

The EV maker’s comment was reportedly shared with local media outlet Elephant News, which quoted a Tesla customer service staff. “It is normal for vehicle prices to rise and fall. If the cost drops, then the price may come down,” the Tesla staff stated. It should be noted that Tesla has reduced its vehicles’ prices this year multiple times. 

Tesla China’s recent price increase has resulted in the Model 3 Long Range starting at RMB 297,400 ($40,819) before options. The Model Y Long Range, on the other hand, now starts at RMB 302,400 ($41,507) before options. The two vehicles previously started at RMB 295,900 ($40,615) and RMB 299,900 ($41,164) before options, respectively. 

While Tesla China staff may note that the recent price increase is due to rising costs, the small adjustment in the two vehicles’ prices could suggest that the electric vehicle maker was looking to motivate customers to purchase the Model 3 and Model Y quickly. The idea of an impending price increase, after all, could provide a sense of urgency for consumers. 

Industry insiders, for their part, have noted that Tesla China’s price increase may be a way for the electric vehicle maker to improve its margins. “Tesla’s price increase may be because it is currently under great profit pressure and is eager to restore gross profit margins,” insiders told the local publication.

Advertisement
-->

Tesla China’s strategy for this round of price increases to the Model 3 and Model Y is quite interesting. Typically, Tesla’s price adjustments in China are implemented quietly, with an update to the company’s website and a few posts on social media. This time around, however, Tesla China staff posted about the price increase on social media days before it was implemented. Details were also provided to local news outlets. 

China is an important part of Tesla’s global operations. Being the world’s largest EV market, strong sales in China could provide Tesla with enough tailwinds to allow the company to achieve its ambitious goals. This year, after all, Tesla is looking to hit 1.8 million vehicles, and by the end of the decade, the company is looking to achieve 20 million vehicles. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

Advertisement
Comments

News

Tesla FSD approved for testing in Nacka, Sweden, though municipality note reveals aggravating detail

Nacka, Sweden, a municipality just a few miles from Stockholm, has given its approval for FSD tests.

Published

on

Credit: Grok Imagine

Tesla has secured approval for FSD testing in an urban environment in Sweden. As per recent reports from the Tesla community, Nacka, Sweden, a municipality just a few miles from Stockholm, has given its approval for FSD tests. 

A look at the municipality’s note regarding FSD’s approval, however, reveals something quite aggravating. 

FSD testing approval secured

As per Tesla watcher and longtime shareholder Alexander Kristensen, Nacka is governed by the Moderate Party. The shareholder also shared the municipality’s protocol notes regarding approval for FSD’s tests. 

“It is good that Nacka can be a place for test-driving self-driving cars. This is future technology that can both facilitate mobility and make transportation cheaper and more environmentally friendly,” the note read. 

The update was received positively by the Tesla community on social media, as it suggests that the electric vehicle maker is making some legitimate headway in releasing FSD into the region. Sweden has been particularly challenging as well, so securing approval in Nacka is a notable milestone for the company’s efforts. 

Advertisement
-->

Aggravating details

A look at the notes from Nacka shows that FSD’s proposed tests still met some opposition from some officials. But while some critics might typically point to safety issues as their reasons for rejecting FSD, those who opposed the system in Nacka openly cited Tesla’s conflict with trade union IF Metall in their arguments. Fortunately, Nacka officials ultimately decided in Tesla’s favor as the company’s issues with the country’s unions are a completely different matter.

“The left-wing opposition (S, Nackalistan, MP and V) voted no to this, referring to the fact that the applicant company Tesla is involved in a labor market conflict and does not want to sign a collective agreement. We believe that this is not an acceptable reason for the municipality to use its authority to interfere in a labor law conflict.

“Signing a collective agreement is not an obligation, and the company has not committed any crime. The municipality should contribute to technological development and progress, not work against the future,” the note read.

Continue Reading

News

Tesla Model 3 and Model Y named top car buys in Norway

Despite growing competition from European and Korean brands, both models stood out for their balance of price, performance, and everyday usability.

Published

on

Credit: Grok Imagine

Norway’s annual roundup of the best car purchases featured Tesla’s two main sellers this year, with the Model 3 and Model Y securing top positions in their respective segments. 

Despite growing competition from European and Korean brands, both models stood out for their balance of price, performance, and everyday usability. The verdict comes as electric vehicle adoption remained above 95% of new vehicle sales in the country.

Tesla Model 3 strengthens its value position

Among compact EVs, the Tesla Model 3 maintained its position as the best overall buy thanks to its strong blend of performance, efficiency, and updated features. Reviewers noted that every trim offered compelling value, especially with the all-electric sedan’s improved cabin ergonomics and the return of the turn-signal stalk, which was one of the few previous complaints among drivers. 

The Model 3’s mix of long-range capability, low operating costs, and responsive handling has continued to set the benchmark for compact EVs in Norway. While competitors from Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Peugeot have narrowed the gap, Tesla’s price-to-capability ratio has remained difficult to beat in this segment, Motor.no reported.

“The Model 3 clearly offers the best value for money in the compact class, no matter which version you choose. Now it also gets the turn signal lever back. This eliminates one of the few flaws in a driving environment that many believe is the best on the market,” the publication wrote. 

Advertisement
-->

Tesla Model Y claims its crown

The Tesla Model Y emerged as Norway’s top family-car purchase this year. The latest refresh introduced improvements in ride quality, styling, and interior materials, allowing the Model Y to deliver a more premium driving experience without a substantial price increase. 

Reviewers praised its spacious cabin, strong safety profile, and practical range, all of which reinforced its appeal for families needing an all-purpose electric crossover. The Model Y remains especially notable given its continued popularity in Norway even as Tesla faces declining sales in other global markets.

“The Model Y is back as the winner in the family class. The upgrade in the new year was even more extensive than expected. It is a slightly more elegant and significantly more comfortable Model Y that solidifies its position as Norway’s best car purchase in the most important class,” the Norwegian motoring publication noted.

Continue Reading

News

Tesla Giga Berlin is still ramping production to meet Model Y demand: plant manager

Tesla Gigafactory Berlin has expanded to two full shifts, as per the facility’s plant manager, and a lot of it is due to Model Y demand.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla/X

Tesla Gigafactory Berlin has expanded to two full shifts, as per the facility’s plant manager, and a lot of it is due to Model Y demand. While registrations in some countries such as Sweden have fallen sharply this year, the company’s sales in other key territories have been rising. 

Giga Berlin shifts to two shifts

Giga Berlin factory manager André Thierig told the DPA that the facility has been running two shifts since September to manage a surge in global orders. And due to the tariff dispute with the United States, vehicles that are produced at Giga Berlin are now being exported to Canada. 

“We deliver to well over 30 markets and definitely see a positive trend there,” Thierig said.

Despite Giga Berlin now having two shifts, the facility’s production still needs to ramp up more. This is partly due to the addition of the Tesla Model Y Performance and Standard, which are also being produced in the Grunheide-based factory. Interestingly enough, Giga Berlin still only produces the Model Y, unlike other factories like Gigafactory Texas, the Fremont Factory, and Gigafactory Shanghai, which produce more than one type of vehicle. 

Norway’s momentum

Norway, facing an imminent tax increase on cars, has seen a historic spike in Tesla purchases as buyers rush to secure deliveries before the change takes effect, as noted in a CarUp report. As per recent reports, Tesla has broken Norway’s all-time annual sales record this month, beating Volkswagen’s record that has stood since 2016.

Advertisement
-->

What is rather remarkable is the fact that Tesla was able to achieve so much in Norway with one hand practically tied behind its back. This is because the company’s biggest sales draw, FSD, remains unavailable in the country. Fortunately, Tesla is currently hard at work attempting to get FSD approved for Europe, a notable milestone that should spur even more vehicle sales in the region.

Continue Reading