China is home to one of the world’s largest automotive market ecosystems. And with the gradual shift of the industry towards environment-friendly technology — EVs — the country has become a battleground for electric vehicle manufacturers. Among them, Tesla has emerged as a prominent player with its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, the Shanghai Factory. Recently, Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, paid a visit to this crucial production site in an effort to strengthen the company’s presence in China further.
Overview of Elon Musk’s Visit
Concluding his whirlwind journey in China, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk bid farewell to Shanghai on Thursday, June 1st, after several high-level meetings with government officials. His visit also entailed commending the nation’s technological advancements and embarking on an exclusive tour of Tesla’s monumental Gigafactory.
As Tesla’s vital hub for sales and production, China holds a paramount position in the company’s global strategy. And Elon Musk hasn’t shied away from acknowledging the impact of the world’s second-largest economy on his company’s growth over the years.
After a three-year hiatus, Elon Musk’s recent visit to China coincides with the country’s concerted efforts to project a welcoming atmosphere for international enterprises. This comes amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions with the United States and in the aftermath of rigorous Covid regulations that have posed considerable challenges to the business landscape.
Highlights of Elon Musk’s Visit
On his arrival in Beijing on Tuesday, May 30th, Elon Musk got to business. Here’s a glimpse into the notable endeavors he pursued during his stay.
Meeting with Chinese officials
In a notable encounter on Tuesday, Elon Musk held discussions with China’s Foreign Minister, Qin Gang. As per an official statement from the Chinese ministry, Qin enthusiastically emphasized the immense potential of the electric vehicle market in China, highlighting its vast opportunities for growth and development.
During the exchange, Elon Musk expressed his admiration for the Chinese people and applauded the remarkable achievements of China. The official statement from the Chinese ministry also conveyed Musk’s and Tesla’s firm stance against the concept of “decoupling.” Further reaffirming Tesla’s unwavering commitment to expanding its business operations in China. On Wednesday, Musk’s second day in the country, there was an important meeting between Elon Musk and Jin Zhuanglong, China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology. The productive discussion between the two parties revolved around advancing new energy and intelligent networked vehicles, as stated by the ministry’s official communique. Continuing his eventful schedule, Elon Musk met on Thursday with the Shanghai party secretary Chen Jining.
Notably, Tesla’s colossal Gigafactory, the company’s sole production facility in China and one of the largest in the world for the electric car manufacturer is situated in Shanghai. During the meeting, Chen Jining highlighted Shanghai’s standing as a premier destination for international business, as per an official statement. In response, Elon Musk expressed his admiration for the achievements of the Shanghai Gigafactory, emphasizing his eagerness to foster greater collaboration with the city across diverse domains, the statement further revealed.
Meeting with the Chinese vice premier
According to reports, Elon Musk met with Ding Xuexiang, China’s Vice Premier and a prominent figure within the country’s political hierarchy. Ranked as the sixth highest-ranking official within the Politburo Standing Committee, Ding Xuexiang assumes a vital role within the top governing body under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. Previously serving as Xi’s chief of staff, Ding’s promotion to his current position last year further solidified his significance. In his current capacity, Ding actively assists Premier Li Qiang in effectively managing the world’s second-largest economy.
This historic occasion marks the first recorded instance of Ding Xuexiang engaging in a one-on-one meeting with a foreign CEO, reflecting the significance China attributes to its relationship with Tesla. The discourse between Ding and Musk highlights the pivotal role China holds as the automaker’s second-largest market and the location of its expansive production hub. While the specific details of their conversation remain undisclosed, the meeting serves as a testament to Elon Musk’s strong rapport with influential Chinese politicians.
Meeting with CATL chairman
According to reports from local media, Elon Musk also had a meeting with Zeng Yuqun, the chairman of CATL, which is not only the world’s largest electric vehicle battery company but also a key supplier for Tesla. As reported in local media, an image surfaced showing Elon Musk and Zeng Yuqun strolling together at a hotel, although we have yet to verify the authenticity of the image. The photograph captures the two industry leaders engaged in conversation, further igniting interest and speculation regarding their meeting and potential collaborations.
Back in March, Bloomberg reported on Tesla’s exploration of a potential collaboration with CATL to establish a battery plant in the United States. As for the recent meeting between Elon Musk and Zeng Yuqun, details of their discussion remain undisclosed, and CATL has not provided any comments on the matter. The nature and scope of their conversation remain unclear as of press time.
Visit to Shanghai Gigafactory
Wrapping up his week-long visit to Southeast Asia, Elon Musk paid a visit to Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory on Thursday. The visit was captured and briefly documented in a video shared by Tesla’s official account on the Chinese microblogging platform Weibo.
In the video, we see the billionaire deliver an uplifting speech, commending and expressing his admiration for the dedicated staff members at the facility. Addressing the enthusiastic staff, Elon Musk expressed his profound admiration for their remarkable achievements in surmounting numerous obstacles and adversities. “I am truly impressed by your unwavering determination and ability to overcome challenges,” Musk conveyed to the team.
He further emphasized the global significance of their work, highlighting that the cars manufactured at the Shanghai Gigafactory epitomize unparalleled production efficiency and uphold the highest standards of quality.
China’s Relevance in Tesla’s EV Marketscape
In October and January of the previous year, Tesla implemented significant price reductions for its electric vehicle sales in China. However, the company opted to readjust prices in May, leading to a subsequent increase. Nevertheless, compared to the beginning of 2023, Tesla’s vehicle prices remain lower due to multiple rounds of global price reductions undertaken by the company. The necessity for Tesla to reduce prices underscores the pivotal role that the Chinese market holds for the renowned U.S. electric car manufacturer.
China’s relevance in Tesla’s operations becomes even more glaring when considering that the country contributes to 50% of the company’s vehicle sales and accounts for 20% of its production capacity. Elon Musk’s visit to the country serves as an opportunity to align perspectives with the Chinese Communist Party, ensuring mutual understanding and strengthening their partnership.
