Tesla Halts Orders for U.S.-Made Model S and Model X in China
Tesla has stopped accepting new orders in China for its U.S.-manufactured Model S and Model X vehicles, as trade tensions between Beijing and Washington intensify.
A review of the company’s Chinese website and WeChat mini program on Friday showed that both luxury models – which are imported from the United States – were no longer available for purchase. The company has not publicly commented on the decision.
While Tesla has not provided an official explanation, the move follows a sharp escalation in the ongoing trade war between China and the United States. On Friday, China increased tariffs on American-made cars to 125%, a direct response to President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 145% duty on Chinese imports.
The steeper tariffs have made U.S.-built vehicles considerably more expensive for Chinese consumers, especially when compared to electric vehicles produced locally.
Tesla, which manufactures the bulk of its China-bound vehicles – including the Model 3 and Model Y – at its Shanghai Gigafactory, is less exposed to U.S. trade penalties than other automakers. Those two models make up the vast majority of Tesla’s sales in China and are also exported to Europe and other international markets.
Industry analyst Li Yanwei of the China Auto Dealers Association noted that only 1,553 Model X units and 311 Model S units were imported into China in 2024 – accounting for less than 0.5% of Tesla’s more than 657,000 deliveries in the country last year.
The decision also comes as Tesla faces growing competition from domestic rivals like BYD and other Chinese EV manufacturers. In the first quarter of 2025, global deliveries in Tesla’s premium segment – which includes the Model S, Model X, and the Cybertruck – fell by 25%, amid limited upgrades and public backlash linked to CEO Elon Musk’s political views.
With rising costs and intensifying competition, the halt in Model S and X orders underscores the growing pressure on Tesla in the world’s largest electric vehicle market.
