Tesla to Build Design and Engineering Center in Beijing, Reveals Document

Tesla is going to establish a design and engineering center in Beijing, according to a government document, reports the Wall Street Journal.

The news was published in a work report that the Beijing municipal government released on January 31, showing a number of companies planning to establish EV-related operations there.

In addition to Tesla, the list also includes China-based smartphone company Xiaomi, which pledged to build as many as 300,000 vehicles per year once it has ramped up production.

Xpeng, Li Auto, NIO See Deliveries Surge in China: January 2022 https://t.co/30kBhcxJdA

— TeslaNorth.com (@RealTeslaNorth) February 1, 2022

China remains the world’s largest and most competitive EV market, making it an important market for Tesla.

Tesla sold a record 70,847 vehicles in China in December, even beating out the affordable HongGuang Wuling Mini EV.

In 2021, the Tesla Model Y was also China’s best-selling electric SUV.

Part of Tesla’s success in the Chinese market can be explained by the company’s approach to the market, offering more features specific to the locale than other U.S. automakers.

Late last month, Tesla launched the “TeslaMic” Karaoke microphone for its cars in China, and the item sold out in under an hour.