Tesla’s Model S Will Be Hitting The Chinese Market Soon
Tesla’s flagship vehicle, the Model S, will soon be hitting the biggest automotive market in the world, according to recent reports. With the introduction of the nearly universally lauded EV to the Chinese market, Tesla will have its hands in nearly all of the major automotive markets of the world — possessing a presence in the American, Chinese, Japanese, European, Canadian, and Australian markets.
While this isn’t “new” news — the intent to enter the Chinese market has been common knowledge for some time now — progress is being made, as a recent announcement has made clear, and the eventual release is nearing. As we reported before, Tesla has even gone as far as changing the name of its brand within the country to “Tuosule” — in order to avoid a legal battle with the owner of the “Tesla” trademark in China (commonly referred to as a trademark troll).
The company recently made the “official” announcement that it is accepting reservations for the Model S within China, as reported by CNN. Stating via the Chinese microblogging website Weibo: “As of now, TESLA Model S reservations are being accepted.”
CNN provides more information, and some context:
China has become the world’s biggest market for automobiles, surpassing the United States. Major global automakers are fighting for market share. General Motors, one of the top-selling automakers in China, currently sells the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid there — although in very limited quantities. Electric car sales in China are currently miniscule, said Jeff Schuster, an industry analyst with LMC Automotive. Out of 18 million passenger vehicles sold in China last year, just 22,000 were plug-ins. That number is expected to grow to 60,000 next year, however.
Tesla (TSLA) has said that, if demand in Europe and Asia meets projections, the company could sell 40,000 Model S cars annually by next year.
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