Tesla China President Tom Zhu recently spoke with Chinese state media channel Xinhua Net about a variety of Tesla-related topics. While the focus was on general plans related to Tesla China ‘s future operations, the $ 25,000 compact car appeared. Zhu confirmed that the smaller and cheaper Tesla will be designed in China, at a research center at Tesla’s Gigafcatory in Shanghai.
Zhu said the Tesla compact electric car will be built in China and sold worldwide. In terms of schedule, Zhu also confirmed that Tesla is already working on building the dedicated Research and Development (R&D) center that will design the next compact car. It will be Tesla’s first R&D center in the country, as well as the first outside the United States.
Tesla built the Shanghai Gigafactory in record time. Not long after producing Model 3 sedans in the Phase 1 part of the factory, it quickly built Phase 2, which is already building the Model Y electric crossover. There is no reason to believe that the R&D center will not follow suit and will be up and running. in a near future.
Zhu said in the interview (above) via Teslarati:
“The center is at Tesla Gigafactory Shanghai, where we are now. We are now building our R&D center in China right here. This R&D center is also Tesla’s first R&D center outside the United States. The research and development center has all the necessary disciplines, covering vehicle design, vehicle engineering, vehicle development and vehicle testing. “
Zhu explained that Tesla China aims to “design, develop and produce” its own original Tesla car to sell in markets around the world. The target price is $ 25,000, however, it is important to note that Tesla vehicle prices are not consistent across the world and currency conversions can obscure reality. However, it will be the cheapest Tesla available in all markets where it is sold. Zhu shared:
“In the future, we want to design, develop and produce an original model in China, manufactured here and sold worldwide. This R&D center is the starting point of the goal. “
Other reports suggest that the Tesla compact car will be a hatchback built on the Model 3 platform. Road testing is due to begin later this year.