Tesla announced this week it had begun production of the Model Y battery electric SUV at its Shanghai plant in China and local deliveries would begin shortly, according to local reports.
The company had begun taking orders for the locally made long range Model Y, priced from CNY339,900 (US$52,000), and the performance range version which costs from CNY369,900.
The EV maker began production of the Model 3 at its Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai’s Lingang Special Area just over one year ago, replacing imports and allowing the company to cut costs and reduce local prices.
The company delivered over 114,000 EVs in China in the first 11 months of last year, mostly locally produced Model 3s, and began exporting the car last August.
Tesla said global vehicle production was 509,737 units in 2020, with deliveries of 499,550.
Deliveries in the fourth quarter were up 30% to 180,570.
