Tesla Motors has opened its first showroom in China, though it is only taking pre-orders from prospective customers at its Beijing location.
The showroom opened its doors to the public on Saturday, displaying two Tesla Model S four-door sports cars, one black and one white, the China Daily reported.
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“We have seen roaring interest since the pre-order started in late August,” Ma Li, a product specialist, told the newspaper.
“The intended buyers can sign a pre-order contract and put down a 250,000 yuan deposit to add their names to the waiting list.”
The China Daily report said that that Tesla’s planned allocation of 100 cars for the China market will quickly sell out.
Still awaiting government approval for the import and sale of Tesla electric cars, Ma told China Daily that potential customers in China may have to wait until next year for the first batch of Model S cars to arrive.
Tesla’s entry to the Chinese car market has been held up by legal issues surrounding the use of the Tesla brand name.
See also: CHINA: Tesla looks to overcome trademark issue
