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Tesla Model 3 production in China is opening doors to a lucrative car-sharing market
Tesla’s plans for China are ambitious, even by the company’s standards. By the end of summer, Tesla expects the initial construction of Gigafactory 3 to be complete, and by year’s end, the company plans to start Model 3 production in the facility. As the dust settles after the groundbreaking ceremony for Gigafactory 3, though, a notable opportunity for Tesla has also presented itself.
China represents the world’s largest auto market, and its EV industry is growing fast. Amidst this growth, the country has also seen the rise of car-sharing services, which provide commuters a way to get from Point A to Point B without the hassles of public transportation or the responsibilities of owning a car. An analysis from the Nikkei Asian Review last year estimated that car-sharing services in China could hire out as many as 2 million vehicles in 2020 — a notable increase from the 100,000 cars used in 2017.
Since CC Clubs, China’s first modern car-sharing company, was launched in 2010, the industry has seen a notable rise. Amidst the government’s initiatives that make car ownership trickier, the presence of car-sharing services was widely appreciated by the commuting public. Over the years, car-sharing services in the country have steadily transitioned to electric vehicles as well, augmented in part by the government’s subsidies in production and sales of EVs, as well as restrictions placed on ICE vehicles in a number of Chinese cities.
In response to this trend, Bloomberg noted that legacy automakers are launching initiatives to catch China’s car-sharing trend. Last April alone, Didi Chuxing, one of China’s most prominent ride-hailing firms, formed an alliance with auto companies such as Volkswagen AG and Toyota Motor Corp. to develop vehicles explicitly designed for car-sharing. Volvo Cars and Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. have also launched a car-sharing feature for its new models through its joint venture, Lynk & Co.
It is this particular market that Tesla can breach with the vehicles that will be produced in Gigafactory 3. Tesla has established itself as a maker of premium, desirable electric cars in China, but its vehicles have always been weighed down by import tariffs, which hike up the cars’ prices. With Gigafactory 3 in the picture, though, Tesla would be able to produce and sell its vehicles on the same playing field as local automakers. This presents a valuable advantage to Tesla, which intends to exclusively produce affordable versions of the Model 3 and Model Y in Gigafactory 3.
Ridesharing actually forms a large part of Elon Musk’s vision for the future. In his Master Plan, Part Deux, Musk described his plan of launching a ridesharing service comprised of fully autonomous vehicles. During the third-quarter earnings call, Musk elaborated on his idea, stating that Tesla would be open to the idea of deploying its own fleet of vehicles in areas where there are few electric cars.
“Tesla will for sure operate its own ride-hailing service. There will be a company-owned fleet where there aren’t enough customer cars to be rented out. So if we find in a particular metro (where) there aren’t enough customers who are willing to add their car to the shared fleet, that’s where we’d supplant with the company-owned fleet. So that’s why it’s sort of a combination of the Uber-Lyft thing and Airbnb. We would charge something comparable to how you’d say the App Store works, or I don’t know, we’d charge 30% or something in order for somebody to add the car to the fleet. I think that’s a pretty sensible way to go.”
While Elon Musk’s Tesla Network would not be launched in China in the near future (Full Self-Driving is still under development and regulations for autonomous vehicles are yet to be decided), rolling out a simpler, more basic form of the service in the country would most likely bode well for the company. By deploying fleets of affordable, locally produced Model 3 in key cities for car-sharing, Tesla would likely be able to establish itself as a key player in China’s car-sharing market.
For now, Tesla’s entry into China’s car-sharing industry would likely depend on the progress of Gigafactory 3’s construction. With government support, there is little doubt that the facility would be completed within its target timeframe. If Tesla can keep up and establish a Model 3 assembly line on time, it might not be long before China’s car-sharing market welcomes another large, potentially dominant player.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s Biggest Revelations on AI, Robots, and the Future of Work from the Moonshots Podcast
Elon Musk’s appearance on the Moonshots with Peter Diamandis podcast was packed with bold predictions, candid admissions, and surprising tech insights. The nearly three-hour conversation covered everything from artificial intelligence to humanoid robots, geopolitics, and the future of work. Here are the top 10 most intriguing takeaways:
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Aggressive AGI Timeline Predictions
Musk offered a detailed view on when artificial general intelligence (AGI) could emerge, suggesting it may arrive sooner than many expect, emphasizing both transformative potential and risks.
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U.S. vs. China in the AI Race
He discussed the strategic competition between the United States and China over AI development, noting that geopolitical dynamics will shape how and who leads in the next decades.
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Future of Job Markets
Musk touched on how AI and automation could reshape employment, predicting massive boosts in productivity alongside potential disruptions in traditional work structures.
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Clean Energy Transition
A recurring theme was the role of clean energy in future economies, with Musk reiterating the importance of scaling sustainable power generation and storage.
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Humanoid Robots Are Coming
On the podcast, Musk elaborated on Tesla’s work on humanoid robots, hinting at timelines and applications that go beyond factories to general-purpose assistance.
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Tesla Roadster “Last Human-Driven Car”
Outside the core discussion topics, Musk teased features of the upcoming Tesla Roadster — calling it “the best of the last of the human-driven cars” and suggesting safety won’t be its main selling point.
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The Role of AI in Clean Energy and Robotics
Linking AI to both energy optimization and robotics, Musk explained how smarter systems could accelerate decarbonization and task automation across industries.
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U.S. Innovation Leadership
Musk argued that maintaining American leadership in key tech sectors like AI, space, and robotics should be a national priority, with thoughtful policy and investment.
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Job Creation vs. Job Elimination
While acknowledging automation’s disruptive effects, he also outlined scenarios where new industries and opportunities could emerge, particularly in AI, space, and advanced manufacturing.
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Long-Term Vision for Humanity
Throughout the conversation, Musk revisited his long-term philosophical views — including a belief in humanity’s responsibility to become a multi-planetary and technologically empowered species.
Whether you agree with Musk’s optimism or not, the podcast offers a window into the thinking of one of the most influential figures in tech today, in and why his visions continue to spark debate and inspiration.
Elon Musk appeared on the Moonshots podcast with Peter Diamandis today to discuss AGI, U.S. vs. China, Tesla, and some other interesting topics, but there was some discussion about the upcoming unveiling of the Roadster, the company’s electric supercar that will arrive several years after it was initially slated for release.
Musk made some pretty amazing claims about the Roadster; we already know it is supposed to be lightning-fast and could even hover, if Tesla gets everything to happen the way it wants to. However, the car has some pretty crazy capabilities, some of which have not even been revealed.
On the podcast, Musk said:
“This is not a…safety is not the main goal. If you buy a Ferrari, safety is not the number one goal. I say, if safety is your number one goal, do not buy the Roadster…We’ll aspire not to kill anyone in this car. It’ll be the best of the last of the human-driven cars. The best of the last.”
🚨 Elon on the Roadster unveiling, scheduled for April 1:
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 6, 2026
Musk makes a good point: people who buy expensive sports cars with ridiculous top speeds and acceleration rates do not buy them to be safe. They hope they are safe in case of an emergency or crash, but safety is not at the forefront of their thoughts, because nobody buys a car thinking they’ll crash it.
The Roadster is truly going to push the limits and capabilities of passenger vehicles; there’s no doubt about that. Tesla plans to show off the new version car for the first time on April 1, and Musk has only hinted at what is possible with it.
Musk said back in November:
“Whether it’s good or bad, it will be unforgettable. My friend Peter Thiel once reflected that the future was supposed to have flying cars, but we don’t have flying cars. I think if Peter wants a flying car, he should be able to buy one…I think it has a shot at being the most memorable product unveiling ever. [It will be unveiled] hopefully before the end of the year. You know, we need to make sure that it works. This is some crazy technology in this car. Let’s just put it this way: if you took all the James Bond cars and combined them, it’s crazier than that.”
Production is set to begin between 12 and 18 months after the unveiling, which would put the car out sometime in 2027. Hopefully, Tesla is able to stay on track with the scheduling of the Roadster; many people have been waiting a long time for it.
News
Tesla launches hiring for Robotaxi program in its twentieth country
Overall, the hiring signals Tesla’s aggressive timeline for global dominance in autonomous mobility.
Tesla has launched a hiring initiative for its Robotaxi program in its twentieth country, as the company posted two new jobs in Thailand this week.
Tesla is hiring in Bangkok and Kowloon for the Vehicle Operator position, which is related to data collection, and is the first in Thailand, but the twentieth country overall, as the company tries to expand into other markets.
🚨 BREAKING: Tesla is hiring additional full-time Vehicle Operators in Bangkok, Thailand.
Previous openings were 6-month, part-time roles. These are equivalent to AI Safety Operator roles in the U.S. pic.twitter.com/R6LzoU1bos— Tesla Yoda (@teslayoda) January 5, 2026
Tesla has had active job postings for Vehicle Operator positions in the United States, India, Israel, Taiwan, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the UK, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Norway, Italy, and Turkey in past listings.
These postings are not all currently available, likely because the roles have been filled.
Thailand is the most recent, and broadens the company’s potential path to expanding its ride-hailing program, which is only active in the United States in Austin, Texas, and the California Bay Area, so far.
These roles typically involve data collection, which assists in improving Autopilot and Full Self-Driving operation. Tesla’s self-driving programs utilize real-world data that is accumulated and stored, observing vehicle and traffic behavior, as well as tendencies that are performed by human drivers to help increase safety and overall performance.
Overall, the hiring signals Tesla’s aggressive timeline for global dominance in autonomous mobility. Although the company has several high-profile rivals and competitors in the field, it has established itself as a main player and a leader in the development of autonomous technology, especially in the U.S., as its FSD suite is refined on almost a weekly basis.
The Full Self-Driving suite is available in seven countries and territories currently, including the U.S., Canada, China, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Australia, and New Zealand. Its biggest goal for expansion is currently the European market, where regulatory hurdles have been the main bottleneck prolonging its launch on the continent.
Tesla has performed months of testing in various European countries, including France and Spain, and does have support in some areas from various regulatory agencies. However, the company is hoping to get through this red tape and offer its suite in Europe for the first time, hopefully this year.
Elon Musk’s Biggest Revelations on AI, Robots, and the Future of Work from the Moonshots Podcast
Elon Musk just said some crazy stuff about the Tesla Roadster
