Tesla’s October sales in China were only 26,006 units, marking its lowest monthly sales since November 2022

Tesla’s October retail sales in China only reached 26,006 units to mark its lowest monthly sales since November 2022. However, a strong 27.68% surge in Chinese-made Tesla exports offset the declining domestic retail sales. 

The CPCA (China Passenger Car Association) emphasized that slowing demand for the Model Y L may be a contributing factor to the declining retail sales. Tesla also exported more vehicles from its Shanghai factory than it sold locally. The CPCA believes exporting more may also have caused the poor retail sales in the Chinese market. 

October’s retail sales represented a 35.76% decrease from the 40,485 units sold in October 2024. The October retail sales also represented a 63.64% drop from September’s 71,525 units.

Data compiled by CnEVPost also confirms that September was Tesla’s second-best month this year. March’s monthly retail sales reached 74,127 units. The report attributed the EV maker’s surge in monthly sales to the September 2 announcement that Model Y L deliveries had started. 

CPCA says Tesla’s retail sales in China are falling 

The CPCA said Tesla’s retail sales in China from January to October fell 8.83% YoY to 485,710 units. Exports from the Shanghai factory also dropped 14.05% over the same period year-over-year (YoY) to 209,151. 

However, the U.S. EV maker exported 35,491 units from China in October 2025, its highest monthly export sales since November 2023. The surge in export sales represents a 27.69% YoY rise and an increase of 82%  from September. 

Meanwhile, Tesla China’s wholesale sales in October, including domestic and export sales, totaled 61,497 units. The CPCA report shows this was a 9.93% YoY decline and a 32.28% drop from September. Model Y wholesale sales in October were 38,562 vehicles, down 8.76% YoY and 35.63% MoM (month-on-month).  The Model 3 wholesale sales in October reached 22,935 units, which was a drop of about 11.84% YoY, and 25.79% MoM.

The Model Y wholesale sales between January and October were also down 6.89% YoY to 417,229 vehicles. Model 3 wholesale sales over the same period fell 15.31% YoY to 250,632.

Tesla China advances two new projects

Local media reports suggest that Tesla is advancing two new vehicles codenamed E41 and D50. The two projects are reportedly stripped-down versions of the current Model 3 and Model Y. Parts of the validation reports and design for both projects reuse existing components from the Model 3 and Model Y. The two projects are allegedly already in the validation testing phase.

The U.S. EV maker has also launched the slimmed-down Model 3 and Model Y variants in the North American market on October 7. Tesla simplified and eliminated over 20 features, reducing the starting prices by $5,000 to $5,500. Meanwhile, these stripped-down models could enter production in China by mid-2026 or later. 

Tesla’s China team reportedly led the development of a lower-cost Model Y with minimal changes to its chassis, battery, and powertrain. The team used the “depop” approach to build the new model. The internal strategy simplifies configurations and enables fast production while preserving Tesla’s core functions. 

The EV automaker also announced plans to revive development on the NV91 and NV93. The projects are expected to create new models smaller than the Model Y. Tesla CEO Elon Musk previously mentioned that the NV91 would have a starting price of $25,000. The project was scheduled for mass production in August this year, but was stopped early last year.

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