The Big Picture

Chinese EV startups feel the heat as Tesla slashes prices, market subsidies ending

  • China
  • 8 min read
  • Apr 23, 2019
  • By Wang Xiao'e

©Xpeng Motors

Tesla's recent price cuts and upcoming Shanghai plant for producing cheaper cars are increasing pressure on its Chinese rivals

Not all price cuts are welcomed by consumers.
In February, Tesla slashed prices on eight of its models in China by 8–29%, including on Models 3, S and X – a move that met with rage and protests. A group of Tesla owners even gathered at one of its stores, in Changsha, and put up a banner proclaiming: "Tesla’s willful price cuts violate consumers' legal rights.”
In China, where tariffs and taxes make owning a Tesla far more expensive than elsewhere, Tesla cars are a status symbol for the upper-middle class. No surprise, then, that these car owners are pained to see the value...

The rest of the content is only available if you are logged in.