85,000 units. This is Geely's May overseas export report, a 184% year-on-year increase. Australia, Geely has only been there for 14 months, deliveries exceeded 10,000 units. EX5 was the first-quarter sales champion of pure electric SUV-C there, Zeekr 7X was even tougher, directly pulling down the long-dominant Tesla Model Y. Mexico cumulative 16,000+ from January to April, breaking records. Brazil single month hit 4,000+ units, also the highest record in that country's market.

After the order surge, logistics come first

Facing the sudden influx of orders, Geely didn't push all the pressure onto dealers and users to wait, but instead directly utilized the Ningbo overseas hub. Ro-ro ships, container ships, and international rail freight trains operated on three parallel lines, 4 major rail ports and 6 sea ports all got moving; Two self-owned ro-ro ships stood guard, China-Europe freight train special trains ran regularly, rail could cut dozens of days off the delivery time to Europe compared to sea transport.

Nearly 10,000 units are stably shipped to core ports monthly, it's not as light as a phrase "we will supply with all efforts", behind it is a net woven by routes, slots, customs affairs, loading/unloading yards, and long-term contracts. You can imagine, if there were no this sea-land-air intermodal chassis, even the best sales performance would vanish amidst the long sea shipping cycle and user complaints.

Rejecting the "cheap" logic, digging deep into local soil

Many people still look at domestic brand overseas expansion with old eyes, thinking it's just "cars are cheap, foreigners seek value". This logic might have held five years ago, but now it cannot explain why Zeekr 7X can pull down the long-dominant Tesla Model Y in Australia, let alone explain the pursuit of Dubai dealers.

What place is Dubai? It's an arena where luxury cars gather globally. What scenes haven't dealers there seen? They chase Geely for cars, what they seek is definitely not "cheap". The strategy of "One Geely" seems abstract, but when implemented, it is exceptionally specific: Geely, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr each keep their positions, maintaining brand tonality independence while sharing system capabilities behind the scenes. Right-hand drive adaptation, the introduction of 6AT versions, these trivial engineering details are the true roots taking deep into the local market.

The feedback from the Mexican market is particularly typical. The local team has a very simple sentence: "We will not change strategy due to short-term tariffs." Translated, it is: I am not here to make quick money, I am here to stay long-term. This mindset projected onto products, saw EX2 win the sales champion of B-segment hatchback new energy vehicles in Mexico, Indonesia, Costa Rica; projected onto channels, is the symbiotic ecosystem with dealers.

Systematic overseas expansion, winning in the unseen places

Explosive sales growth is most likely to expose shortcomings. Geely upgraded after-sales from "car repair" to user operations, super long warranties, three-level parts systems, a VOC user voice system covering the globe... These actions cannot be directly printed on posters, but they are the key deciding whether the reputation rises or collapses two years later.

One could say, Geely's 85,000 units overseas were not shouted out by loud voices, but operated by a precision machine from product definition, logistics delivery to user operations. When logistics fleets race day and night on the Eurasian land bridge, when Dubai dealers recommend Geely to customers in showrooms, the narrative logic of Chinese cars going overseas has turned the page.

#Geely Sells Explosively Overseas #Geely In Foreigners' Eyes

In Dubai where luxury cars are everywhere, what good cars has the dealer not seen?

But recently, an overseas dealer selling Chinese cars in Dubai came to domestic exhibitions, and was firmly won over by Zeekr. He stated directly, the technical iteration of Chinese cars has entered a new stage, traditional German luxury brands will hardly compete with Chinese brands like Zeekr anymore.

This sounds like politeness, but their actions are fiercer — he already has one Zeekr 9X, after Zeekr 8X launched, he turned around and blind-ordered two more.

This is the subtlest change happening in Chinese car exports: In the past, we actively "went out", now overseas quality dealers are starting to "reach out in reverse".

Hot sales overseas, not just a market fever

Geely's latest disclosed overseas data is indeed confident.

This May, Geely Auto sales reached 238,000 units, achieving growth both year-on-year and month-on-month. Of which overseas exports exceeded 85,000 units, setting a historical high, year-on-year growth reached 184%.

Looking at the total amount alone is bright enough, but the deeper value lies in: This is not propped up by speculation in a single market, but blooms across the board.

In April, Geely overseas new energy sales year-on-year growth was 624.5%, consecutive first in Chinese new energy car export growth rate. North America, Asia, Europe, South America four continents are all picking up volume, multiple countries growth rate exceeded 300%.

Geely entered the Australian market only 14 months ago, vehicle delivery has broken through 10,000 units, becoming one of the fastest-growing Chinese car enterprises locally; Brazil market monthly sales rushed above 4,000 units, refreshing the local highest monthly sales record; Mexico market January to April cumulative sales exceeded 16,000 units, also set a historical high.

These markets are geographically dispersed, consumption habits, road environments, and policies/regulations vary greatly. Geely managing to run through simultaneously shows this wave of growth is by no means a chance hitting of a single trend.

Car models are also blooming in multiple points.

Geely EX2 in Mexico, Indonesia, Costa Rica and other markets, took first place in B-class hatchback new energy sales TOP1 of the first quarter; Geely EX5 in Australia, UAE, Uruguay and other countries, became the sales champion of the first quarter pure electric SUV-C market.

In the past, Chinese cars going overseas were often labeled with the value-for-money tag of "cheap, high configuration". And Geely now takes first place simultaneously in different markets and different niche categories, means products have truly invaded the car selection list of the local mainstream consumer group.

Zeekr Overthrows Model Y in Australia

Geely's export wave this time is not just relying on ordinary models to move volume.

If Geely EX2 and EX5 are responsible for building a solid sales base, then Zeekr is responsible for another hard card: breaking the price ceiling of Chinese brands overseas.

In May, Zeekr brand delivery reached 34,377 units, reaching a new high. Of which, Zeekr 9 Series, 8 Series models share nearly 50%, brand unit transaction price year-on-year growth 52.4%, even exceeding traditional BBA.

High-end market is never shouted out, eventually needs real transaction prices to speak. Taking Australian market as an example, Zeekr 7X sales topped the list again, even surpassing the long-term dominant Tesla Model Y. Australia is not a virgin land for new energy, Tesla has cultivated deeply here for a long time, Zeekr can face off head-on and overtake, extremely valuable.

So, the Dubai dealer being moved by Zeekr is not an isolated little anecdote.

For many overseas users, Chinese cars have changed too fast in these years. In the past they might think Chinese cars just had high configuration, low price, but now truly sitting in the car, experiencing smart cockpit, tri-electric efficiency, chassis texture, luxury configuration and vehicle completion, feelings will be completely different.

Especially brands like Zeekr, no longer answering the question of "Can Chinese cars build new energy cars", but answering the question of "Can Chinese brands make high-end cars". This opened up more imagination for Geely's premium space overseas.

After cars sell explosively, logistics are the first to buckle

After sales volume picks up, what is tested first is often not marketing, but delivery.

Overseas markets are not like domestic ones, new cars from factory to terminal, need to cross ports, sea freight, rail, customs clearance, distribution, dealer delivery and many other hurdles. Any blockage of capillaries will directly destroy user experience.

After "sellable", Geely's core task now is "supply-able".

To cope with the explosive overseas orders, Geely relies on Ningbo export hub, simultaneously activating Ro-Ro ships, container ships and international rail freight trains to carry out sea-land intermodal transport. Currently, Geely has added multiple transport routes, forming a capacity resource layout of 4 major rail ports, 6 major sea ports, and equipped with two self-owned Ro-Ro ships.

Meanwhile, Geely has also opened multiple cross-border transport special lines, continuously supplementing capacity resources, monthly can stably ship nearly 10,000 new cars to core European ports. China-Europe Railway Express Geely special train has also been operating normally, transport time compared to sea transport can be shortened by 40 days.

This turning point is very interesting: In the past, Chinese cars exports anxious about "how to sell out", while Geely now faces a sweet trouble "how to deliver cars faster".

This is exactly a microcosm of export logic iteration.

Early car exports were more like "trade business" one-off deals, on ship, sell to middlemen, task completed. But now different, overseas users buying Chinese cars, not only look at the product itself, but value delivery cycle, after-sales service, parts supply and warranty policy, they value whether the brand plans to cultivate deeply locally.

So, don't just stare at that 85,000 units export data of May. The real test is after cars sell explosively, can logistics deliver on time, after-sales can respond quickly. Geely this time is impressive, is it putting these logistics support ahead.

This is the mark of Chinese car companies entering the deep water zone of global competition.

At the beginning of each month, major automakers reveal their report cards, and the "good student" Tesla is no exception.

According to the latest data from the China Passenger Car Association, Tesla Shanghai Factory deliveries in May exceeded 85,000 units, the highest single-month delivery this year.

This Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory was established in Lingang in 2019, completing the entire process of groundbreaking, production launch, and delivery in that year. It is now already Tesla's global production powerhouse, contributing more than half of the brand's deliveries. Whether sold domestically or exported overseas, most originate from here. The local parts rate exceeds 95%, with a car rolling off the line every 30-plus seconds on average. The so-called "Tesla Speed" is no mere talk.

So, what contributed to this record-breaking delivery this time?

First, the overseas market contributed significantly. The main models Model 3 and Model Y have consistently ranked high in premium pure electric rankings in Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong and Macao, etc., so demand is naturally substantial.

Returning to the domestic market, regarding auto financing plans, Tesla recently launched an "Easy Loan" service, lowering the purchase threshold and stimulating many hesitant users to place orders.

Additionally, the charging network. Tesla has opened its Superchargers to vehicles of other brands, with over 1,000 stations, starting from 1.5 yuan/kWh, usable nationwide. No matter what brand of car you drive, having an extra charging option on the road allows many consumers hesitant about recharging to put their worries aside.

To be honest, in the current highly competitive environment for new energy vehicles, Tesla being able to achieve this result indeed shows some real skill.

However, after capacity and speed increase, the test on quality will be greater. Whether subsequent quality control remains stable is also a concern for many.

Plus, there are many uncertain factors overseas such as policies and tariffs, so export business may not always go smoothly.

So, do you think it can maintain this good performance in the second half of the year? Let's chat in the comments.

Recently, overseas blogger @muskonomy shared the usage experience of a Model 3 owner from the Philippines from the first month after purchasing the car.

After just one month of use, the Model 3 shows significant advantages in usage costs and smart experience, and space and practicality are also excellent, making him sigh he never wants to switch back to a fuel car.

Before buying the Model 3, this owner had been driving a Japanese B-class fuel car for a long time, with a fixed daily route, commuting on the highway from Monday to Wednesday, with an average weekly mileage of about 110 km. Year-round highway travel made him particularly picky about vehicle handling and driving quality.

What made him exclaim "Great Value" is Tesla's excellent usage economy. Previously driving a Japanese B-class fuel car, refueling costs remained high, "Before oil prices rose, just filling up cost about 13,200 pesos (approx. 1452 RMB) per month". After buying the Model 3, he used home charging for refueling, only needing to charge twice a week, monthly electricity cost about 2000 pesos (approx. 221 RMB), only one-sixth of the previous fuel car, commuting usage cost significantly reduced.

Even more surprising to the owner, the Model 3's space performance far exceeded expectations. "I am about 6.3 feet tall (approx. 191cm), weight 225 lbs (approx. 102 kg), worried before picking up the car that interior space was limited. After actual experience found, even if front seats are adjusted to comfortable position, rear seats can still easily accommodate adult passengers, daily commute completely sufficient, practicality maximized."

Singapore owner @Coco Silly Fish from Southeast Asian country also swapped her home's fuel car for Tesla. She shared on social platform, when driving fuel cars before, cost pressure brought by oil price rise, fuel anxiety from morning/evening peak traffic congestion, always troubled her greatly. After driving Tesla, commuting refuel cost even lower than public transport, overall usage experience also greatly improved.

Besides saving money and being worry-free, Tesla's powerful power response, easy and effort-saving driving feeling in congested sections all left a deep impression on her: "The current calm feeling of usage is something fuel cars cannot replace!"

Recently, Tesla showed distinctly different trends in the world's three major markets: launching unprecedented price-cut promotions in Japan, accelerating FSD global approval in the autonomous driving field, and officially terminating the five-year factory construction plan in India.

Tesla Japan launched an unprecedented car purchase discount. After combining the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive version with the Japanese government's 1.27 million yen subsidy and local subsidies in Tokyo and other places ranging from 800,000 to 1 million yen, the actual minimum payment is about 3.14 million yen, equivalent to only 134,000 yuan in RMB.

For comparison, the domestic Model 3 starts at 235,500 yuan, nearly 100,000 yuan cheaper than the subsidized price in Japan. This price point is close to traditional fuel A-segment cars like the Toyota Corolla Hybrid (about 2.38 million yen) and the Honda Civic (about 3.5 million yen).

A Tesla Japan representative stated hope to break the Model 3 "luxury car" impression and promote it as a mass-market model. Additionally, Tesla launched 0% interest financial schemes and three years of free Supercharging benefits, orders must be completed before July 31. Japan's NEV penetration rate has long been around 3%, far lower than China and Europe, with insufficient charging infrastructure and high loyalty to local brands still posing challenges. FSD Global Acceleration. Tesla's AI head revealed at the CVPR conference that 1.3 million Tesla vehicles globally have activated the FSD function.

For Asia, China has completed approval, FSD 13.0 version launched last year, FSD equipped with the latest 14.0 version expected soon; Japan plans to officially launch by end of this year, India, Malaysia, Thailand pending approval. For Americas, US, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico have large-scale launch, next phase targeting Chile and Colombia. Europe progress fastest, April this year Netherlands Vehicle Licensing Bureau approved first, Lithuania and Estonia approved in succession, Latvia about to finish, 21 EU countries waiting approval (including Germany, France, Italy), 15 non-EU countries (including UK, Switzerland, Norway). Middle East has carried out road testing in UAE, Israel about to arrive, waiting approval markets include Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey. Africa appeared for first time, only Ethiopia is advancing local approval. India Factory Construction Termination. Indian Ministry of Heavy Industry Minister confirmed, Tesla has terminated the plan to build Super Factory in India, nearly 5-year negotiations failed.

Core divergence lies in: Tesla hopes to import cars at lower tariffs first to test market demand before deciding on building a factory; Indian government requires must commit to local manufacturing first to enjoy lower tariffs. 2025 Tesla registered volume in India only 200+ vehicles, initial orders about 600 vehicles. 1.4 billion population has not converted to effective demand.

Additionally, India's industrial support shortcomings are obvious, supplier network, engineer team, logistics system and quality control far behind Yangtze River Delta. Vodafone, Ford, Volkswagen and other foreign capital all once encountered tax or loss disputes, policy risks high. Tesla believes, building new capital-intensive factories in markets where demand is not verified, risks far exceed benefits.

 

Tesla's ultimate trump card, hidden for half a year, finally lands! The widely rumored Budget Model Y has been officially confirmed, the Shanghai Super Factory has specifically built an exclusive production line, the new car has already passed listing certification in South Korea first, the battery still uses CATL lithium iron phosphate cells, expected to launch in the domestic market as early as this third quarter. Once the news broke, the entire 150,000-250,000 RMB pure electric SUV market exploded, all people preparing to buy cars are waiting for one answer: How much will this cheapest Tesla sell for?

Let's first calculate the most exciting price breakdown for everyone, which is also Tesla's core move to overturn the entire market this time. Currently sold in China, the starting price of the current Model Y is 249,900 RMB, while the upcoming budget version, through cost optimization, smashed through everyone's expectations directly. Referencing the budget Model 3 sold to Thailand earlier this year, which was nearly 30,000 RMB cheaper than the domestic same model, combined with CATL's latest low-cost lithium iron phosphate battery solution, and targeted simplification of interior and configurations, industry analysts generally predict, the starting price of the domestic budget Model Y will be set directly at 189,900 RMB, the top trim version will not exceed 220,000 RMB.

How outrageous is this price? You can buy a Tesla mid-size pure electric SUV for 189,900, 60,000 RMB cheaper than the current Model Y entry version directly, 10,000 RMB cheaper than BYD Song PLUS EV top trim, 20,000 RMB cheaper than Xiaomi SU7 entry version, even lower than the price of many domestic compact SUVs. Previously many people said Tesla is untouchable, now with just the cost of an ordinary family car, you can drive a Tesla, this was completely unimaginable a few years ago.

Many people worry cheap means bad quality, actually it's unnecessary. Tesla's budget version never cuts core major components, but removes unnecessary luxury configurations. From currently exposed information, the budget Model Y will continue to adopt Tesla's pure electric platform, equipped with a rear single motor, maximum power remains consistent with the current model, CLTC comprehensive driving range expected around 550km, completely meeting daily commute and short trip needs. The battery is still the lithium iron phosphate battery provided by CATL, safety and durability have all been verified by the market.

The real configuration reduction focuses mainly on non-core comfort configurations: interior will be replaced with more cost-effective eco-friendly materials, some ambient lights and decorative parts canceled; sound system reduced from 14 speakers to 8, subwoofer canceled; may use Tesla's latest pure vision solution, cancel ultrasonic radars, further reducing hardware costs. But it is worth noting, hardware for FSD full self-driving will be pre-installed on the whole series, later can be activated via payment, this is also Tesla's consistent sales strategy.

The reason Tesla is in a rush to launch the budget Model Y is fundamentally because the domestic market competition has reached an intense stage. Since the beginning of this year, BYD, Xiaomi, XPeng and other domestic brands have gone crazy in the 200,000 RMB level market, launching a large number of models with extremely strong product power, directly snatching away a large number of users who originally belonged to the Model Y. Sales of the current Model Y have declined for three consecutive months, Tesla must produce more lethal prices, to protect its market share.

And the capacity advantage of the Shanghai factory also gave Tesla the confidence to fight a price war. Currently, the annual capacity of the Shanghai Super Factory has exceeded 750,000 vehicles, the problem of insufficient capacity utilization is becoming increasingly prominent. Producing the budget Model Y not only absorbs excess capacity, but also further dilutes R&D and production costs through higher sales, forming a virtuous cycle of sales higher - cost lower - price cheaper.

It is foreseeable, once the 189,900 RMB Model Y launches, it will trigger chain reactions throughout the industry. First, the current Model Y will immediately start inventory clearance mode, terminal discounts are expected to reach 30,000-40,000 RMB, the opportunity to buy the current model at rock bottom is coming soon; Secondly, all domestic competitors will be forced to follow with price cuts, BYD Song PLUS, Geely Galaxy E8, XPeng G6 and other models, without price cuts they cannot compete with Tesla at all; Finally, the entire 150,000-200,000 RMB pure electric market price system will be completely reconstructed, consumers will become the biggest beneficiaries.

For ordinary consumers, the wisest choice right now is to wait and see. If you are not in a rush to use a car, strongly suggest waiting until the third quarter when the budget Model Y launches, the opportunity to buy a Tesla for 189,900 is not every year; if you need to buy a car now, endure it for a bit, at most two months, the entire 200,000 RMB level pure electric SUV market will welcome a wave of big price cuts, buying now is definitely being a sucker.

Of course, if you value rich configurations and localized intelligent experiences more, domestic models remain a better choice. Domestic SUVs at the same price point, not only have larger space, better interiors, but also high-level smart driving, seat ventilation massage and other luxury configurations, these are things the budget Model Y cannot compare with.

Tesla has never lost a price war, the arrival of this budget Model Y will completely rewrite the market landscape of China's new energy vehicles. So the question arises, with the same 190,000 RMB budget, would you choose the budget Model Y with stronger brand power, or a domestic top-trim SUV with full configurations? How low do you think Tesla can eventually drive the price?