Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) has officially started production of the facelifted Model Y at its Shanghai plant, following the completion of the SUV model’s regulatory process in China. The company announced that deliveries of the new Model Y will begin in late February, with the current Launch Series available for purchase until February 28.
The facelifted five-seat Model Y was launched in China on January 10, offering two variants under the Launch Series. Initially, deliveries were expected to start in March pending regulatory approval. However, the Model Y recently received approval from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), making it eligible for purchase tax reductions and completing the necessary regulatory steps for sales in China.
Tesla’s Shanghai factory is responsible for producing the Model 3 sedan and Model Y, serving both local customers and as an export hub. Current delivery wait times for all three variants of the Model 3 remain at 1-3 weeks.
In January, Tesla China sold a total of 63,238 vehicles, including 29,535 for export. Domestic sales in China totaled 33,703 vehicles, with the Model Y accounting for 25,694 units and the Model 3 for 8,009 units. For the full year 2024, the Model Y sold 480,309 units in the Chinese domestic market, representing 73.10 percent of Tesla’s total sales in China.
The Model Y has been a significant contributor to Tesla’s success in the Chinese market, with strong sales figures and continued demand for the facelifted model. With deliveries set to begin in late February, Tesla is poised to maintain its position as a leading electric vehicle manufacturer in China.
