Tesla‘s estimated delivery wait times for all models in China have fallen to 1-3 weeks, reaching new lows, as first reported by Chinese media outlet CnEVPost.
The lineup in the world’s largest automotive market includes all trims of the Model 3 and the Model Y, with the addition of the exclusive Model Y L, the six seat version of the SUV.
In mid-November 2025, when custom Model Y orders began pushing into 2026, its Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and Model Y L version had an estimated delivery time of 4-8 weeks, while the Long Range RWD and AWD trims could be delivered in 4-13 weeks.
Meanwhile, last December, the Model 3 Long Range RWD and Performance variants saw their delivery wait extended by two months, until February. The remaining two versions had an estimated 4-6 week period.
Last October, the brand started an “intensive production ramp-up” in the plant, as it strived for stronger fourth-quarter deliveries in China and across the APAC region.
The report called attention to the fact that steep reductions of delivery wait times in China “typically” anticipate new strategies in the market.
The outlet cited January 2024 as an example, when Tesla announced a 10,000 yuan — equivalent to $1,500 — instant discount on Model Y purchases after delivery times for both the fully electric sedan and SUV dropped to 1-3 weeks.
7-Year Incentive Extensions
On January 6, Tesla announced near-zero interest financing for up to seven years in China.
The incentive was applied to the entire Chinese portfolio, and originally ran until the end of January.
Under the promotion, consumers could save up to 33,479 yuan ($4,900) compared with financing at the standard 2.50% annualized rate.
The Elon Musk-led company became the first automotive brand to offer this kind of extended-term offer in China.
A week later, the offer was matched by Xiaomi.
Other Chinese brands quickly followed suit, including Li Auto, Dongfeng‘s sub-brand Yipai, and Geely‘s Galaxy brand.
According to Chinese media outlet 36kr, Nio, Onvo, and brands like Changan‘s Deepal, Great Wall Motor‘s Haval, Dongfeng‘s Yipai, and GAC‘s Aion joined the trend this month.
The most recent addition to this list was BYD, which introduced a new round of incentives for all models from its Ocean series on Wednesday.
On January 24, Tesla extended the seven-year financing offer’s validity period to late February.
On Thursday, the company announced a second extension, bringing the promotion’s duration to March 31, as well as the five-year interest-free financing purchase plan.
China Sales in January
The latest data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) showed that Tesla‘s wholesale deliveries reached 69,129 EVs in January.
The figures represented a 9.3% increase from January 2025, when the company achieved 63,238 retail sales and exports.
Compared to last December’s result (97,171 units), the registrations fell by 28.9%.
However, January’s retail sales fell by 45.2% year-on-year to 18,485 units — the lowest result since November 2022.
The sharp decline was partly driven by the timing of the Spring Festival holiday, which typically slows down retail activity.
China Sales in 2025
Last year, Tesla‘s retail sales in China reached 625,698 vehicles, falling by 4.8% compared to 2024 and marking the first-ever yearly decline.
The figures represented 38.2% of the company’s global deliveries of 1,636,129 units.
The Elon-Musk led company’s wholesale sales in December were 97,171 units of its Model 3 and Model Y.
December wholesale sales of 97,171 units rose 3.6% year-over-year and 12.1% month-over-month, marking it as the second strongest-ever month, only trailing November 2022.
