EVwire brief: Tesla China sold vehicles 85,670 wholesale in March 2026. The figure, released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), represents a 46.2% surge from February and an 8.7% increase year-over-year.
The strong finish lifted Tesla China’s Q1 2026 wholesale volume to 213,398 vehicles, up 23.5% compared to the same period last year.
It should be noted, however, that Tesla China’s Q1 2025 numbers were low due to Giga Shanghai’s changeover to the new Model Y last year. During that period, Model Y sales declined significantly.
Tesla’s March 2026 performance reflects a sharp recovery from February’s lower base, when wholesale deliveries dropped to 58,599 units.
While exports declined significantly in February, falling about 60% month-over-month to 20,393 units, March’s rebound suggests production and logistics normalized toward the end of the quarter.
Giga Shanghai started Model 3 deliveries in December 2019
China’s broader new energy vehicle (NEV) market reached an estimated 1.12 million wholesale units in March, flat year-over-year but up 55% from February.
Tesla’s recovery also follows improved retail performance in February, when the company captured a 13.74% share of China’s battery electric vehicle market, its highest level since April 2024.
Tesla China’s March total includes both domestic sales and export units produced at Gigafactory Shanghai, though a detailed breakdown is expected later.
Tesla China is the sole producer of the Model Y L (at least for now)
The company’s China operations are centered around Gigafactory Shanghai, which produces the Model 3 and Model Y for both the domestic and international markets.
The facility currently serves as Tesla’s largest factory by volume, and it is also the company’s primary vehicle export hub.
Tesla’s Q4 and FY 2025 shareholder update letter indicates that the facility currently has an annual capacity of over 950,000 vehicles.
Sources: CNEV Post and Roland Pircher on X
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