Tesla has announced on Wednesday a new round of incentives for the Chinese market, as the last quarter of the year begins.
Global production and delivery results from the third quarter are scheduled to be released on Thursday, October 2.
The fourth quarter marks the last opportunity for customers in the country to acquire a new electric vehicle before the purchase tax is reinstated in 2026.
Starting in 2026, electric vehicles in China will face a minimum purchase tax rate of 5%, half of the standard 10% rate.
Through the end of 2027, new energy vehicles (NEVs) can receive a 50% tax reduction, capped at 15,000 yuan (about $2,100) per vehicle.
This means that an EV can cost up to 300,000 yuan ($42,000) to fully use the 50% tax reduction without exceeding the 15,000 yuan cap.
For Tesla, the base versions of its models qualify for the full tax break, but most higher-end variants exceed the cap.
The Model Y is priced from 263,500 yuan ($37,000), while the three-row version, launched in August, starts at 339,900 yuan (47,700).
Its standard iteration, the Model 3 RWD, is priced from 235,500 yuan ($33,100), while the most expensive trim, the High Performance AWD Edition, starts from 339,500 yuan ($47,700).
Until October 21, the company is introducing 0% APR (Annual Percentage Rate) for purchases of its revamped Model Y.
The incentive includes both the five-seat Model Y and the six-seat Model Y L, although they are applied to different contract extensions.
For the Model Y, both the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and Long Range All-Wheel Drive (AWD) versions come with 0% financing over a 5-year term.
A down payment of 79,900 yuan ($11,200) is required, with monthly payments starting at 3,060 yuan ($430).
For the three-row variant of the Model Y, customers can choose 0% APR financing over a 3-year term.
The down payment is 99,900 yuan ($14,000), and monthly payments start at 6,642 yuan ($930).
In August, the company also released a new version of its best-selling sedan: the Model 3 Long Range RWD, which now offers the longest range ever at 830 km.
A few weeks later, Tesla trimmed the Model 3 variant’s price by 10,000 yuan — the model now costs 259,500 yuan ($36,450).
Customers opting for the Model 3 can also benefit from an 8,000 yuan ($1,100) insurance subsidy across all trims.
Orders placed before October 31 are also eligible for a 0% APR on a 5-year contract, with a down payment of 79,900 yuan, with monthly payments starting from 2,460 yuan ($350).
The company is also offering paint option gifts to referred customers, from 8,000 yuan, and exclusive charging benefits for qualified owners, from 1,299 yuan ($180).
Between October 1 and 31, Tesla owners who purchase for a new Tesla vehicle can transfer Intelligent Assisted Driving for free.
In China, the ‘Intelligent Assisted Driving’ software — known as Full Self Driving elsewhere — is priced at 64,000 yuan (equivalent to about $8,900).
It was introduced in the country in March. Earlier last month, the company faced lawsuits by several owners regarding the FSD for the first time, who accused the brand of fraud and contract violations tied to its assisted driving software.
In the last full week of September — from 22 to 28 — Tesla sold 19,300 vehicles in China.
It was the best weekly sales result of the quarter and the highest in 13 weeks, or since the last full week of June, when it registered 20,710 vehicles.
Between September 1 and 28, Tesla sold 66,300 electric vehicles in the country.
According to data released by China’s Passenger Car Association (CPCA) earlier last month, the company had registered 57,152 units in August. The association has not yet released September’s figures.
