Tesla Model Y Deliveries Drop 46% in China Amid Export Shift

October saw Tesla’s retail sales in China drop to their lowest level since November 2022, driven by a sharp decline in Model Y demand and a shift toward exports.

The electric automaker sold 26,006 vehicles domestically in October, marking its weakest China performance in nearly three years. While Model Y deliveries plummeted, Model 3 sales showed signs of recovery after five months of year-on-year declines.

Model Y deliveries drop sharply as exports surge

Tesla’s Model Y remained the company’s best-selling vehicle in China but faced a steep decline in October. Retail sales fell to 19,488 units, down 46.17 percent from a year ago and 61.92 percent from September, the lowest monthly tally since March. Meanwhile, exports of the Model Y surged to 19,074 units, the second-highest level this year, reflecting a 214.7 percent year-on-year jump as Tesla prioritized overseas shipments, according to CNEV Post.

From January through October, Tesla delivered 312,331 Model Ys to Chinese customers, a 16.46 percent decrease from the same period last year. However, exports for the model climbed 41.26 percent year-on-year to 104,898 units, underscoring a growing focus on international markets.

Model 3 rebounds domestically but exports remain mixed

While Model Y sales cooled, Tesla’s Model 3 showed renewed momentum in China. The sedan sold 6,518 units in October, up 52.25 percent year-on-year and marking its first positive growth after five months of declines. Still, sales were down 67.97 percent compared to September as deliveries fluctuated.

Model 3 exports from Tesla’s Shanghai plant totaled 16,417 units in October, down 24.46 percent year-on-year but up 55.57 percent month-on-month. Cumulatively, Model 3 sales in China reached 146,379 units through October, a 15.41 percent increase year-on-year, while exports totaled 104,253 units, reflecting a 38.35 percent decline over the same period.

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