Tesla, the innovative electric vehicle manufacturer, is set to embark on an exciting journey with its highly-anticipated Cybertruck tour across eight major cities in China. The tour, scheduled to start in late January, aims to generate consumer interest and drive foot traffic to Tesla stores nationwide.
According to local media outlet The Paper, the Cybertruck tour will kick off simultaneously in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Xi’an, and Chongqing. Following these initial debuts, the Cybertruck will join Tesla’s existing vehicle lineup, including the Model S sedan, Model X SUV, Model 3 sedan, and Model Y crossover, for a nationwide tour.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the Cybertruck’s China tour, uncertainties loom over the vehicle’s future in the country. Pickup trucks, like the Cybertruck, face certain restrictions as they are classified as light trucks in China. They are required to drive on the rightmost “slow” lane on highways and are limited to a maximum speed of 100 kph (62 mph), compared to passenger cars that can travel at speeds up to 120 kph (75 mph) on the highway. Moreover, pickup trucks are subject to a mandatory scrapping after a 15-year lifespan, and some Chinese cities impose limitations on their entry into urban areas.
Nevertheless, the upcoming Cybertruck tour is expected to strategically position Tesla in the Chinese market. The Cybertruck’s futuristic design and groundbreaking innovations showcase Tesla as a leading manufacturer of daring and advanced vehicles in the industry. This is especially significant in the Chinese EV market, which is the largest and most competitive in the world.
Tesla’s performance in the domestic market has been exceptional, with impressive figures to support its success. In December 2023 alone, the company delivered a total of 75,805 vehicles, marking an impressive 80.8% year-on-year increase and a 15.7% jump from November. Furthermore, domestic sales for 2023 reached a remarkable 603,664 units, representing a substantial 37.3% rise compared to the previous year.
Source: Teslarati