- The decline in Model Y retail sales in China in May was partly due to the significant increase in exports.
- From January to May, Model Y’s retail sales in China totaled 126,643 units, a year-on-year decrease of 24.03 percent.
The decrease in Model Y SUV (sport utility vehicle) sales was the primary reason for Tesla‘s (NASDAQ: TSLA) retail sales decline in China last month.
The Model Y’s retail sales in China in May were 24,770 units, a 38.05 percent decrease from the 39,985 units sold in the same period last year, despite a 23.95 percent increase from the 19,984 units sold in April, according to data shared today by automotive media outlet Yiche from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).
The SUV accounted for 64.19 percent of Tesla’s retail sales of 38,588 units in China in May, according to calculations by CnEVPost.
In the first five months of the year, the Model Y’s retail sales in China totaled 126,643 units, a year-on-year decrease of 24.03 percent, contributing 62.72 percent of Tesla’s total retail sales of 201,926 units during the same period.
Tesla has a factory in Shanghai that produces the Model 3 sedan and Model Y. The factory is its largest globally, with an annual production capacity of about one million vehicles.
Part of the reason for the decrease in Model Y retail sales in China last month was the significant increase in exports. The SUV exported 14,757 units in May, a year-on-year increase of 174.60 percent and a month-on-month increase of 5.59 percent.
From January to May, the Model Y exported 36,138 units, a year-on-year decrease of 21.98 percent.
The Model 3 sold 13,818 units in China in May, a 9.27 percent decrease from the 15,230 units sold in the same period last year, but a 57.97 percent increase from the 8,747 units sold in April.
From January to May, Model 3 retail sales in China reached 75,283 units, up 43.81 percent year-on-year, accounting for 37.28 percent of Tesla’s total retail sales in China during the same period.
In May, Model 3 exports totaled 8,317 units, down 30.60 percent year-on-year and down 47.20 percent month-on-month.
From January to May, the Model 3 exported 54,811 units, a year-on-year decrease of 39.26 percent.
Tesla China sold 61,662 vehicles in May, including those sold in China and exported to overseas markets, according to data released last week by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).
The US electric vehicle (EV) maker sold 38,588 vehicles in the Chinese domestic market in May, a decrease of 30.11 percent from the 55,215 units sold in the same period last year, although this represents a 34.31 percent increase from the 28,731 units sold in April.
Giga Shanghai exported 23,074 vehicles in May, up 32.93 percent from 17,358 in the same period last year, but down 22.38 percent from 29,728 in April.
Tesla is offering Chinese customers who purchase its cars through referral program a discount of RMB 8,000 ($1,110) on optional body paint in June.
