- Tesla received launch day orders for its new long-range Model Y in China equal to three weeks of production at its Shanghai plant.
- High demand for the Model Y in China comes after a recent decline in the company’s local sales.
- Tesla is preparing to introduce FSD Supervised, its driver-assistance system, in South Korea.
- The company faces regulatory scrutiny in South Korea due to a battery defect affecting about 4,500 vehicles, with potential loss of up to $3,950 in subsidies per affected car.
Tesla experienced strong demand for its new long-range Model Y in China, with initial orders matching around three weeks of capacity at its Shanghai factory. The vehicle, which launched recently, quickly drew significant buyer interest, marking one of the company’s best product introductions in China this year. This comes as Tesla attempts to recover from a sharp drop in its retail sales in the region last month.
The new Model Y is a five-seat vehicle, offering a driving range of 821 kilometers under China’s CLTC standard. Starting at approximately $40,520, it features a 78.4 kWh battery supplied by LG Energy Solution, a component also used in the company’s Model 3 long-range version. Delivery estimates shifted from two to four weeks at launch to as long as six weeks, reflecting robust preorders. Sales staff in Beijing noted that, despite the absence of display or test-drive units, nearly half of all store visitors arrived specifically to inquire about the new model. Details about the initial order wave can be found in this report.
While expanding in China, Tesla is also set to introduce its FSD Supervised driver-assistance in South Korea. However, this expansion comes amid scrutiny over widespread battery failures in about 4,500 vehicles, largely affecting 2021 Model 3 and Model Y models. According to this report, the failures have led to a system error that restricts charging capacity to 50%, cutting the vehicle’s range in half. Some owners have faced recurring problems even after receiving replacement batteries, with reports that the company used refurbished instead of new battery packs. While earlier cases were covered under warranty, repair costs now exceed $22,000 for customers whose warranty has expired.
Consumers and advocacy groups in South Korea have urged a full recall and government investigation, calling the battery problem a serious defect. The country’s Ministry of Environment has warned Tesla Korea that failure to resolve the issue could lead to suspension of electric vehicle subsidies, which can total up to $3,950 per car. A ministry official said in a statement, “We cannot justify providing public funds for vehicles that disadvantage consumers.”
Investors remain confident despite these challenges. As of mid-November, retail sentiment around Tesla was described as “extremely bullish,” with the company’s stock up 9% in 2025.
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