Tesla China seems to be sending more Model 3 and Model Y vehicles overseas from Giga Shanghai as Q2 2025 kicks off. Registration numbers point to this shift. Reports show a big drop in domestic registrations, with only 3,600 vehicles logged in the week ending April 6, 2025. That’s down 82.6% from 21,000 the week before. But it’s up 91.5% from the first week of Q2 2024.
Giga Shanghai often focuses on exports early each quarter. Then it switches to domestic orders later. The latest data fits this pattern.
Background on Tesla’s China Operations
Tesla runs Giga Shanghai as its main plant in China. The facility helps meet demand both at home and abroad. Tesla adjusts production each quarter to balance the two.
Early April 2025 data shows a sharp decline in Tesla China’s weekly registrations. This likely ties to an export focus. Even so, year-to-date numbers are up 3%, showing overall growth. This matches Tesla’s past habit of pushing exports at the quarter’s start.
The weekly drop stands out, but registrations are 91.5% higher than the same week last year. That jump suggests exports are doing better in 2025.
Full Breakdown of the Shift
Tesla China’s move to prioritize exports in Q2 2025 from Giga Shanghai is clear in the numbers. Here’s a closer look at what’s happening, with facts and trends laid out plain.
Weekly Registration Numbers
For the week ending April 6, 2025, Tesla China registered 3,600 vehicles. That’s a steep 82.6% fall from the 21,000 logged the week ending March 30, 2025. It points to more vehicles heading overseas, leaving fewer for domestic use. Compared to Q2 2024’s first week, though, the 3,600 is a 91.5% gain over the roughly 1,900+ from back then. Year-over-year, the export game looks stronger.
| Week Ending | Registrations | Week-over-Week Change | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 30, 2025 | 21,000 | – | – |
| April 6, 2025 | 3,600 | -82.6% | +91.5% (vs. Q2 2024) |
| Q2 2024 First Week | ~1,900+ | – | – |
The table shows how registrations swing with Tesla’s export plans, plus the yearly improvement.
Year-to-Date Growth
By early April 2025, Tesla China’s registrations are up 3% for the year. That’s solid, especially with the recent switch to the new Model Y at Giga Shanghai. Production changes like that can slow things down, but the numbers hold steady.
Giga Shanghai’s Export Role
Giga Shanghai is Tesla’s key spot for sending vehicles abroad. Early each quarter, it ramps up exports. That explains the low domestic registrations now. Last year’s Q2 started with about 1,900+ registrations, also due to exports. Later, Tesla shifts back to China’s market. This year’s Q2 looks to follow the same path.
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