Elon Musk comes out fighting as China throws Tesla a lifeline
Business InsiderApr 28
China's Nio Launches Cheaper Rival to Tesla's Model Y
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The Facts
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio launched the first vehicle under its new lower-priced brand Onvo on Wednesday, taking on Tesla's Model Y — the world's top-selling EV.
The Onvo L60 SUV costs $4K less than Model Y and its deliveries are set for September, but Nio Chief Executive Officer William Li didn't specify when it will be sold overseas.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
China's growing global EV dominance is setting the ground for a major trade war given the fears of dumping and the potential to raise tariffs. Its cheaper electric cars are often perceived as products of unfair competition via state subsidies. While the West often subsidizes EV consumption, China subsidizes production to boost exports amidst its own struggling consumer economy. Concerningly, China controls the supply chain for essential EV batteries, raising the stakes even more.
Pro-China narrative
It's the US that is harming both the automotive market and even broader energy and climate goals by unfairly imposing high tariffs on Chinese-made EVs. Even Western media outlets fear that such short-sighted, anti-China policies harm the American consumer by denying affordable, high-quality EV options. If this policy continues, PRC-produced EVs will come to dominate the global market, and US automakers will simply not produce EVs much at all — a shame for the American public and the world at large.
Narrative C
Tesla faces pressure to innovate and adapt to local preferences to stay competitive in China, which is the world's largest EV market. Despite leading with its Model 3 and Model Y, Tesla's limited product range and slow response to consumer demands have allowed rivals like BYD and Nio to gain ground. As demonstrated by the launch of the L60, these competitors offer a wider variety of models and features tailored to Chinese consumers, such as luxury interiors and advanced navigation systems—at more affordable prices.
