On Monday, the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) said that Tesla Inc. (TSLA.O) delivered 77,695 China-made EVs in May, up 2.4% from April.
Sales surged 142% from 32,165 in May 2022, when Shanghai’s COVID-19 containment efforts slowed output.
CPCA data revealed BYD Co Ltd (002594. SZ) sold 239,092 vehicles in May, up 14% from a year earlier.
CPCA will announce May car sales data later this month.
Following Elon Musk’s surprise, high-stakes visit to China, Tesla has been in the spotlight.
A source told Reuters that Musk ended his two-day trip on Thursday after meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang in Beijing on Wednesday.
Musk’s first trip in three years after Beijing reopened its borders came as Tesla faces increasing competition from Chinese EV makers and uncertainties over expanding its Shanghai facility, its main manufacturing base.
He dined with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) (300750. SZ) chairman Zeng Yuqun and visited with foreign, trade, and industry ministers.
Musk visited Tesla’s Shanghai factory late Wednesday and met with Shanghai party secretary Chen Jining on Thursday. According to the municipal authority, Chen welcomed Tesla to invest and grow in the city.
Tesla began delivering over-the-air software fixes for more than 1.1 million vehicles with braking issues on May 29, China’s market regulator said.
After a price war, Tesla has boosted prices in China since May.
