BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Reuters) – Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) showed its redesigned Model 3 sedan, made in China, for the first time to the public at a trade show in Beijing, after launching the previous day in several countries.
The US automaker showed off a flame red version of the car — marking the first change to its mass-market car lineup since it launched its global bestseller, the Model Y, in 2020 — at the China International Trade Show. (Siftis).
The launch of the new Model 3 also marks the first time the automaker has launched a vehicle in China before the United States, underlining its growing dependence on the country as it competes for market share with BYD (002594.SZ). .
It is being built at Tesla’s factory in Shanghai and will also be exported to other markets in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Some of its new features, including a rear screen for rear seat passengers, appear to be aimed at Chinese buyers.
At the exhibition, Tesla sales personnel answered questions from interested buyers.
[1/3]Tesla’s new Model 3 sedan is shown at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, China on September 2, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lu Obtain licensing rights
“I came to the exhibition to learn more about the debut of the car,” said a 22-year-old college student named Guo as he examined the car.
He added that features he liked included upgrades to the car’s audio system and rear screen. “People sitting in the back seat may not feel so bored while riding in a car.”
Another visitor to the Tesla stand, who gave her surname only as Hu, said she wasn’t convinced enough to place an order.
“There is no particular reason (to buy a Tesla), because now there are so many new energy vehicles,” she said.
Tesla also said it will show the new model at the Munich Motor Show, which opens on Tuesday.
Reporting by Xiaoyu Yin, Jing Xu, and Brenda Goh; Editing by Ross Russell
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