Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is becoming popular in China not only among those engaged in the auto industry but also among consumers in the country. The coverage of the Chinese media about the U.S. based electric car manufacturer has a significant number of readers, which only means that the company developed some fans.
Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) will personally kick off the sales of the company in China and he will personally supervise the delivery of its Model S vehicle to customers. The electric car manufacturer believed it has a huge potential in China, and Musk believed that the country will become its largest market. He projected that Tesla sales in China would match its sales volume in the United States as early as 2015.
Beijing Automotive will partner with American company
A Chinese auto-maker wants to put the breaks on the aspirations of Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) to become the leader in the electric car market in its own territory. During the Boao Forum for Asia, Xu Heyi, chairman of Beijing Automotive Group said his company aims to lead China’s electric car market.
According to Heyi, his company will partner with an American automaker to develop a new model of electric car next tear. He said, “The new model will outperform Tesla’s Model S.” He added, “The auto industry knows very well about Tesla’s Model S. [Tesla motors Chief Executive] Elon Musk won’t become Steve Jobs for sure.”
He also commented that the aggressiveness of Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) in making its electric car popular is something to learn from, but the company does not offer anything new when it comes to technology.
Furthermore, Heyi said Beijing Automotive Group acquired a 25% stake in Atieva, an energy company based in the United States that provides core system to major car manufacturers including Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) and Audi AG (ETR:NSU).
No big impact on Chinese market
On the other hand, Zhu Fushou, general manager of Dongfeng Motors opined that Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) will not have a big impact on the Chinese market. He said, “Tesla is aiming to sell 70,000 cars, which is a very tiny niche market in China.”
Dongfeng Motors has been engaged in discussions for six months to purchase Fisker Automotive, Inc., another American electric car manufacturer. Fushou noted that many U.S. electric companies depend on government financing.
