Tesla to launch long-wheelbase Model Y in China first
Tesla has already started taking orders for the Model Y L on Tuesday, with prices starting at 339,000 yuan (around $47,184), according to its official website. This move highlights the company's effort to refresh its lineup in China, the world's largest car market, at a time when competition is intensifying.
Yet the road ahead is not easy. Tesla faces mounting pressure after sales of its China-made EVs fell by 8.4% in July, while local brands such as Xiaomi continue to attract customers with more affordable models like the YU7, which was recently featured in an exclusive first Arabic test by our colleague Ahmed Abu Jameel on 'Unboxing Geeks.' Competition also extends beyond Chinese automakers, with German giants BMW and Mercedes-Benz doubling down on the premium electric segment.
While strengthening its presence in China, Tesla is also exploring other markets. In July, it launched a Model Y variant in India priced at around $70,000 — the highest among its key markets — in an attempt to penetrate a challenging country long criticized by Elon Musk for its high import tariffs.
For more variety, Tesla also plans to introduce an upgraded version of the Model 3 with a longer range and rear-wheel drive in China, according to filings with the country's Ministry of Industry in July.
Challenges, however, remain significant. A report from The Information revealed that Tesla is behind schedule in achieving its ambitious target of producing 5,000 humanoid robots (Optimus) by the end of 2025. This setback comes after a difficult year marked by the departure of top executives and thousands of job cuts.
Today, Elon Musk continues to shape Tesla's future by focusing on autonomous driving technologies and AI-powered robotics. And while competition intensifies on all fronts, the launch of the Model Y L in China stands as a true test of Tesla's ability to defend its position in the world's largest and most crucial EV market.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Taiwan plans to raise defense budget to more than three percent of GDP: Premier
Taiwan's government plans to raise its 2026 defense budget to more than three percent of GDP, Premier Cho Jung-tai said Thursday, as the island faces US pressure to invest more in its own protection. Cho said the move was 'another concrete demonstration to the world and the people of Taiwan of our resolve and ability to safeguard national sovereignty and security, the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region, and our shared responsibility with the world.' The cabinet has allocated NT$949.5 billion (US$31.1 billion), equal to 3.23 percent of GDP, for defense spending next year. Cho noted that the total was calculated using NATO standards and included the coast guard. The proposal still needs approval from Taiwan's opposition-controlled parliament. The Kuomintang party, backed by the Taiwan People's Party, cut the government's 2025 budget and froze portions of defense spending. Taiwan has steadily boosted investment in weapons and military equipment over the past decade as China steps up pressure on the self-governed island, which Beijing claims as its territory.
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan, China, Afghanistan vow joint fight against militancy, to extend CPEC to Kabul
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad, Beijing and Kabul have pledged to strengthen joint efforts against 'terrorism,' deepen cooperation in several sectors and extend a multi-billion-dollar energy and infrastructure project to Afghanistan, the Pakistani foreign office said on Wednesday following talks between the three sides in Kabul. The trilateral dialogue between China, Pakistan and Afghanistan was institutionalized in 2017. It aims to promote political trust, counterterrorism coordination and economic integration between the three countries. The talks helped ease tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, who have been at odds with each other amid a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan. There has been a thaw in relations after both sides agreed to elevate diplomatic ties in May to the ambassadorial level. China brokered the deal in an informal meeting in Beijing to improve relations between the two neighbors, under which it was also agreed to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan. 'The Sixth Trilateral Foreign Ministers Dialogue was held on 20 August 2025 in Kabul,' Pakistan's foreign office spokesperson said in a statement issued after the meeting, which was attended by the foreign ministers of the three countries. 'The three sides committed to strengthen joint efforts against terrorism,' the statement said, adding that the dialogue focused on political, economic and security cooperation between the three. 'They [Pakistan, China & Afghanistan] also reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in trade, transit, regional development, health, education, culture, and combating drug trafficking as well as extension of CPEC to Afghanistan,' the spokesperson said. CPEC is a multi-billion-dollar project that aims to connect China and Pakistan through a network of roads, railways, and energy pipelines. Dar held a bilateral meeting with his Afghan counterpart, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, on the sidelines of the dialogue. Both welcomed the recent elevation of diplomatic ties between the two countries from chargé d'affaires to the ambassadorial level, a separate statement from the foreign office said. 'Dar acknowledged the encouraging progress in political and commercial ties, while expressing progress in the security domain, especially in counterterrorism, continues to lag behind,' the foreign office said. Dar highlighted a recent surge in militant attacks inside Pakistan, saying the attacks were perpetrated by groups operating from Afghan soil. He urged Afghan authorities to take 'concrete and verifiable measures' against entities such as the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)/Majeed Brigade. Islamabad alleges these militant groups, which carry out attacks against Pakistani law enforcers, operate from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. Kabul denies the accusations. 'The Afghan Acting Foreign Minister reaffirmed Afghanistan's commitment to ensuring its territory is not used by any terrorist group against Pakistan or other nations,' the statement added. 'VERY POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT' Foreign affairs experts said the trilateral dialogue in Kabul was a 'positive development' that could help address Pakistan and China's shared concerns over 'terrorism.' 'This is a very positive development as Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan sat together and agreed to work jointly to rid the region of terrorist elements,' Naghmana Hashmi, Pakistan's former ambassador to China, told Arab News. She said the commitment expressed by the three neighboring countries to extend CPEC to Afghanistan was also an encouraging sign that would help the project achieve its true potential. 'It is a natural extension, since without peace in Afghanistan and smooth transit routes through its territory, CPEC cannot fully deliver for Pakistan, which needs access to Central Asian states and beyond,' she added. Former Pakistani diplomat Asif Durrani said the outcome of the meeting would become evident in the coming weeks, depending on whether cross-border 'terrorism' incidents take place or not. 'It is an ongoing process and some improvement has taken place, so we remain cautiously optimistic and keep our fingers crossed,' he said. Durrani said growing engagements at the leadership level were encouraging for both Pakistan and Afghanistan. 'It is important that both countries keep talking, as seen in the case of Pakistan and India, where dialogue stopped and unresolved issues created a visible regional impact,' he added. The trilateral talks took place as Pakistan presses ahead with a deportation drive against 'illegal immigrants,' mostly Afghans, which it launched in 2023 citing security fears and illegal migration. The process has continued in phases, with Islamabad now planning to expel documented Afghan refugees after Sept. 1, having refused to extend their stay permits.
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Chinese company eyes building maritime industrial complex, green shipbreaking yard in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: A delegation of Chinese company Shandong Xinxu Group met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, expressing interest in building a maritime industrial complex in Pakistan and constructing a green shipbreaking yard in the country, Sharif's office said in a statement. Shandong Xinxu Group Co., Ltd. is a high-tech energy enterprise integrating the renewable energy industry chain, including dedicated battery equipment, nuclear power equipment, urban wastewater treatment projects and renewable smart energy storage systems. According to its website, Shandong Group's products have been exported to more than 40 countries and regions such as Pakistan, India, Tunisia and Belarus. Business at the shipyard has declined in recent years as Pakistan navigates a tricky path to recovery from a prolonged macroeconomic crisis. The shipbreaking industry has also taken a hit due to worldwide calls to stop beach scrapping because of the danger and environmental damage from pollutants left to drain into the sea. Sharif met Shandong Group's delegation, led by its chairman Hou Jianxin in Islamabad, the PMO said. During the meeting, Sharif invited Chinese industries to invest in Pakistan, assuring them that the government will provide all possible facilities for the establishment of Special Economic Zones. 'Shandong is interested in establishing a maritime industrial complex in Pakistan,' the statement said. 'The Chinese company will build a green shipbreaking yard in Pakistan.' During the meeting, the two sides were also briefed that Pakistan has immense potential in the ship-breaking and ship recycling sectors. Gadani in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province once used to be one of the world's main destinations for end-of-life vessels. Here, old and decommissioned ships were regularly dismantled and their parts, especially steel, were recycled, reused or resold. In June, Pakistan's government approved Rs12 billion [$42 million] to transform the Gadani ship-breaking yard into a 'model green facility' to reduce pollution and manage hazardous waste, the maritime affairs ministry had said. During the meeting, both sides were also briefed that the Chinese enterprise aims to benefit from Pakistan's potential in fishing, fish processing and in the processing of date fruits. Pakistan has been pushing for foreign investment in its key economic sectors ever since it came to the brink of a sovereign default in 2023 before an International Monetary Fund loan program helped it avert the crisis. Pakistan considers China a key regional, economic and strategic partner. Since 2013, Beijing has invested tens of billions of dollars in energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a major segment of China's Belt and Road Initiative that aims to build land and maritime trade routes linking Asia with Africa and Europe.
