Tesla Launches Long-Range Model 3 in China – With a Higher Price Tag and Mounting Competition

Tesla has begun taking orders for the latest Model 3 Long Range on the Chinese market, aiming to reclaim lost ground in a country where fierce local rivals dominate one of the most competitive premium EV markets in the world.

830 km on a Single Charge According to Chinese media, the new variant offers a range of around 830 km, a significant jump from the 634 km of the base model. Pricing is set at 269,500 yuan (about USD 37,500), roughly 14% higher than the standard version. “The new variant offers longer range and better performance and efficiency,” Tesla stated. Orders are now open, with deliveries expected to begin next month. The goal is to attract affluent customers looking for luxury, space, and maximum mileage between charges. The upgraded Model 3 features a high-performance battery from LG Energy Solution paired with a single electric motor delivering higher peak output than previous versions.

Falling Sales and Market Share Once a leader in China’s premium EV segment, Tesla’s share has dropped sharply. According to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory delivered 67,886 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles to Chinese and overseas customers in July — down 8.4% from a year earlier and 5.2% lower than in June. After a brief rebound in June that ended an eight-month decline, sales have slipped again. Tesla’s share of China’s EV market fell to 3.8% in June from 6.9% a year earlier. Back in 2020, when the Shanghai factory opened, Tesla held a 16% share.

Shift in Strategy: Less About Price, More About Technology Shanghai-based analyst Gao Shen says Tesla is adjusting its approach. In the premium segment, competition is less about price and more about technology — from batteries and digital cockpits to advanced driver-assistance systems.

“The new Model 3 and Model Y variants reflect Tesla’s effort to appeal to customers who prioritize technology and user comfort,” Shen noted. Tesla is also planning to start production this fall of the six-seat SUV Model YL. Nearly five meters long with a 3.04-meter wheelbase, it will offer more space than the current Model Y.

Local Competition Tightens While Tesla introduces new variants, local players are moving quickly. Li Auto recently launched the fully electric, six-seat SUV Li i8, priced between 321,800 and 369,800 yuan, with a range of up to 720 km. According to JPMorgan, overall automotive discounts in China edged down in July (from a record 17.4% to 16.7%), with the largest drop occurring in the premium segment — the very category where Tesla is battling a surge of Chinese manufacturers targeting premium family vehicles. Tesla’s Shanghai plant — its largest factory in the world — currently produces only the Model 3 and Model Y, but to keep its footing in the market, the company must match pace not just with global rivals but also with fast-innovating domestic brands.

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