May 31, 2019 - Energy & Climate

Tesla shows more cards on its China expansion plan

Ben Geman

In this image, a woman walks past a Tesla charging port. — A woman walks past a Tesla car store in Beijing in May 2018. Photo: Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images

Tesla said Friday that it's now taking pre-orders for Model 3s in China with a 286-mile range and announced pricing for the vehicles built there, according to published reports.

Why it matters: The announcements show how Tesla, which is struggling financially, is seeking to expand sales of the vehicle that's key to its future.

By the numbers: Per TechCrunch and others, the base price for the Chinese-built Model 3 will be around $47,500, which is "some 13 percent cheaper than its previous entry-level option."

Tesla also announced via Twitter that it's now taking orders for Model 3s in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Ireland and Macau.

The backdrop: Automakers are readying a slew of electric vehicle models in coming years that appeal to Americans' thirst for size, Axios' Steve LeVine reports.

What's next: Tesla and a crowd of other carmakers — Ford, VW, Volvo and a startup called Rivian — are on the verge of releasing a slew of SUVs, crossovers and electric pickup trucks.

Go deeper: The future of big electrics

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Tesla shows more cards on its China expansion plan

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