Tesla Inc. saw its first increase in vehicle deliveries from its Shanghai factory this year, with the U.S. automaker potentially buoyed by the clearance of regulatory hurdles for its advanced driver-assistance features.
The car manufacturer delivered 71,599 units from the plant in June, according to data released by China’s Passenger Car Association on July 2, which didn’t break the figures down into exports and domestic sales. That’s a 0.8% increase from a year earlier, and up 16% from May.
While modest, the year-on-year increase may signal a turning point for the electric vehicle pioneer in China, where it’s navigating a relentless price war. The government last month unveiled new guidelines that could pave the way for further deployment of Tesla’s more advanced driver assistance programs, potentially offering a crucial competitive edge in a market that increasingly prioritizes intelligent vehicle technology.
Tesla’s Shanghai plant remains a pivotal production hub for its global operations, especially for exports to Europe, where the company has struggled to maintain momentum against a backdrop of intensifying competition and political concerns.
China’s total sales of new-energy vehicles, including both pure-electric cars and plug-in hybrids, to dealers are estimated to have grown 29% from a year ago to 1.26 million units in June, the PCA said.
