The extended six-seat version Model YL enters China, Tesla starts at 339,000 yuan to seek a breakthrough
Tesla has officially opened reservations for the new Model YL in the Chinese market, with a starting price of 339,000 yuan (approximately $47,184). This move aims to address the intensifying local competition. The new model is a pure electric SUV with a long wheelbase and a six-seat layout, offering a range of 751 kilometers and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.5 seconds. Tesla's pricing strategy precisely targets the mid-to-high-end new energy SUV market, avoiding direct competition with low-priced brands while maintaining its technological premium capability
According to Zhitong Finance APP, Tesla (TSLA.US) officially opened reservations for the new Model YL in the Chinese market on Tuesday, with a starting price of 339,000 yuan (approximately $47,184). This move is seen as a strategic adjustment to respond to intensified local competition. As the world's largest automotive market, Tesla has simultaneously updated its product line layout in China.
This model, first launched in 2020, topped the global best-selling car list in 2023. However, last year, its market advantage was weakened due to the entry of local new forces such as Xiaomi's YU7, coupled with weak demand for electric vehicles in multiple countries. Data shows that Tesla's electric vehicle sales in China fell by 8.4% year-on-year in July, highlighting the urgency of transformation.
To regain competitiveness, Tesla launched a new Model Y with exterior upgrades and functional optimizations in the Asia-Pacific market in January this year, and submitted a registration plan for the Model YL to Chinese regulatory authorities in July.
According to the official website, the Model Y L is a pure electric SUV with a long wheelbase and a six-seat layout, equipped with an all-wheel-drive system. It has a range of 751 kilometers under the CLTC (China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle) and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers in just 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 201 kilometers per hour.
It is worth noting that the registration information disclosed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China at the same time shows that the long-range rear-wheel-drive Model 3 will also enter the domestic market, forming a synergistic effect in the product matrix.
This pricing strategy continues Tesla's consistent market sensitivity—starting at 339,000 yuan, it precisely positions itself within the mid-to-high-end new energy SUV segment, avoiding direct competition with local low-cost brands while maintaining technological premium through configuration upgrades. With the advancement of the nuclear power supply project in Tennessee by 2030, Tesla's global energy strategy and product iteration are forming a dual driving force
