With the world’s largest electric car market – China’s market competition intensified in July, China-made Tesla car registrations decreased compared to the previous month.
In July, a total of 11,456 China-made Tesla registered in the country, down 24% compared with June, China automobile Industry infomation web data show.
Tesla did not disclose the monthly sales figures in China.
Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory has been delivering new cars since the beginning of the year. Since then, the company has been increasing production.
China is an important part of Elon Musk’s expansion outside the US and the fact that Tesla’s long-term success in the country means it must fend off competitive threats from the likes of Nio and international giants BMW and Volkswagen.
Growing sales in China have been a major driver of Tesla’s soaring market value. The company overtook Toyota in market value in July.
But Tesla’s rivals are also picking up the pace with new product launches. Nio deliveries tripled to 3,533 units in July. BMW and Mercedes also plan to launch electric cars.
The Shanghai factory has been producing the vast majority of Tesla vehicles registered in China since deliveries began.
Tesla currently produces Model 3 cars at its Shanghai factory and is preparing for the production of its compact SUV, the Model Y.
