In China, Tesla increases the range of its Model 3 Dual Motors

Faced with an unprecedented collapse in its sales in China, Tesla is trying every solution, such as adjusting its prices on the Model 3.

While Tesla has always had a straightforward approach to its range, in order not to complicate its customers’ choices and to streamline its industrial production, here is the American manufacturer in a panic, completely reverting to the principles that brought it success.

The erosion of sales, driven 80% by its boss Elon Musk’s divisive political positions, is evident all over the planet. This is therefore not a coincidence. Certainly, competition from China is fierce, but this assumption is currently limited to that territory alone, as the Asian tidal wave has not yet arrived. Neither in Europe nor in the United States.

Autonomy that makes no sense anymore?

In the United States, the Tesla Model 3 is now only offered in three versions, with the simple Small Battery Propulsion having been removed from the lineup. But in China, the manufacturer is attempting a different approach to slow the decline in its sales: multiplying the versions.

Thus, alongside the Propulsion, Long Range All-Wheel Drive, and Performance, the Model 3 was equipped on August 12, 2025, with a Long Range Propulsion, just like everywhere else in Europe and North America.

The problem was complex: how to position it in a mature range that has never known this configuration with a large battery and two-wheel drive? Price, range, performance, Chinese customers were confused. And Tesla was too.

For proof, the initially chosen price for this new offer has already been lowered just two weeks after its launch. This shows that demand is not sensitive to the Model 3 Long Range Propulsion. The price has thus dropped from 269,000 to 259,000 yuan, a decrease of 1,200 euros.

In relation to purchasing power in China, the decrease is significant, with the electric sedan now priced around 31,000 euros including tax. To this, Tesla is adding free options (paint and white interior), as well as a 0% interest loan over 5 years and a reduced insurance bonus of 8,000 yuan (960 euros). Nothing works.

The commercial launch of the Model 3 Long Range Propulsion is certainly a failure in China, as the clientele is looking for a low price rather than more kilometers… and the rest of the range is now impacted.

For evidence, Tesla must now regain relevance for the other all-wheel-drive versions. The prices do not vary, but according to the Chinese CTLC cycle, the Long Range All-Wheel Drive and Performance benefit from increased ranges. Incredible!

When the Long Range All-Wheel Drive displayed 713 km at the beginning of 2025, it has now increased to 753 km (+40 km). A similar dynamic, but less pronounced, for the Performance which has gone from 623 to 647 km.

Now, one last parameter remains to be known: will the Dual Motor versions soon benefit from the new 84.7 kWh battery of the Tesla Model YYY and Model Y Performance to regain appeal? It’s very likely.

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