Tesla loses ground as Chinese EVs dominate global markets
restofworld.org
Tesla was once an EV leader, but now struggles to keep up as Chinese automakers outpace it in sales, pricing, and innovation, especially in emerging markets

BYD took the global EV crown. Now Chinese rivals and local startups are taking over emerging markets.

  • Tesla’s sales are dropping globally, with political headwinds and fierce EV rivals throwing up challenges.
  • New frontiers beckon, but Tesla faces a showdown with savvy local and Chinese competitors vying for dominance.
  • Pricing battles and rapid innovation are putting Tesla to the test, demanding a strategic jolt to regain its edge.
  • NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.worldEnglish
    22·
    22 days ago

    Tesla hasn’t lost it in 2025, but much earlier.

    For example, when they stopped maintaining and improving their successful Model 3 and Model Y, because the ugly tinbox “needed” all research and development resources.

    • shaggyb@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      22 days ago

      For sure.

      A Model 3 from early 2024 really feels 5-10 years behind a 2026 Kia or Hyundai at this point.

      They lost the plot big time somewhere around mid-2022 I think. Would be interesting to learn if Elon started some new designer drug or something around then.

  • tankplanker@lemmy.worldEnglish
    16·
    21 days ago

    BYD is eating everyone’s lunch at the bottom not just Tesla.

    Tesla could have prospered by sticking to the mid range but their build quality is appalling even for a lower mid car.

    Couple that with some truly dumb design ideas from Elon (no lidar, no physical buttons, indicators as buttons, stupidly high repair bills due to design choices) and some even more stupid personal behaviors from him and he has just cut the legs out of his market.

    EV buyers who are spending more money care about this kind of thing, budget buyers it is mostly about price.

    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      4·
      21 days ago

      Exactly. I’m a budget buyer and Tesla doesn’t make sense. My parents are luxury buyers and Tesla doesn’t make sense. My coworkers buy Tesla, so I guess there’s a market, but the reason they bought doesn’t hold up as well today.

      We’ll see what Tesla does, but I think they need to kick out Musk to get there.

    • bobalot@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      21 days ago

      I heard the next model, the Tesla SS, with innovative features like doing Nazi salutes out the windows to indicate is going to be a huge hit.

  • OCATMBBL@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    22 days ago

    If the owner of the company wasn’t trying to heil a cab on the national stage, people wouldn’t be doubting these EVs nearly as much.

    Not that they’re particularly high quality anyway.

  • sem@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    3·
    20 days ago

    Back in the day, Tesla was releasing some of its tech without patent licenses to help other EV makers catch up, to help the environment. Or at least that’s what I remember from the PR.

    Back then they wanted to blow their lead so electric cars would do better in general.