Chinese Fueled Tesla Model 3 Reservations Surge

Tesla Model 3 (Credit: Tesla Motors)

While Tesla and electric car supporters have been celebrating the surge of Model 3 reservations, others are skeptical. After all, 400,000 is a tremendous number. Thanks to a recent report from the South China Morning Post, we now know that a huge chunk of these orders came from Chinese consumers.

Tesla isn’t saying just how many reservations came from each country.

If it’s true that the Chinese helped that much with the surge, that’s impressive. The Model 3 won’t arrive in China until long after it launches in the United States. As Green Car Reports points out, the Model X did hit China before Europe, so Tesla could be concentrating on that area of the world more than you might suspect.

Chinese consumers are looking to take advantage of government subsidies for purchasing EVs. They go away in 2021, which could be why people are lining up to use them on an affordable option like the Model 3.

One of the biggest hurdles Tesla faces now is not losing customers to the Chevy Bolt. To help manage the making of the Model 3, the California automaker just scooped a seasoned executive from Audi. The guy has his work cut out for him, because Tesla has never released a new vehicle on time.

I would wager good money that Tesla will be at least a little behind on launching the Model 3. The later it is will probably determine how many people get their deposits back and start looking elsewhere for a vehicle.