Tesla upgrades China Model 3 and Model Y with larger screen
Tesla has upgraded all Model 3 and Model Y vehicles sold in China with a larger 16-inch touchscreen and vehicle-to-load power export capability.
Tesla has upgraded every Model 3 and Model Y it sells in China with a 16-inch central touchscreen and the ability to export up to 2.2 kW of AC power for vehicle-to-load use. The company announced the changes on October 1 via marketing posters on its official Chinese channels. These hardware improvements mark a mid-cycle refresh for Tesla's lineup in its key Asian market.
Owners must purchase a separate Tesla external AC power adapter to use the vehicle-to-load functionality. This adapter costs 599 yuan. The three-row Model Y L is the sole exception, as it comes with the adapter included. The new 16-inch screen in the Model 3 replaces the previous 15.4-inch display. Tesla says it has a higher resolution and a higher refresh rate, but it didn’t give actual numbers for either. The upgrade enhances navigation, entertainment, and gaming.
New interior options and pricing incentives accompany the upgrades
Buyers in China can now option a new light gray premium interior for the Model 3, paired with a black fabric headliner. This replaces the previous white interior option and mirrors an update made to the U.S. Model Y Premium earlier in the year. No price changes directly accompanied the hardware upgrades, but Tesla is offering a suite of financial incentives.
A 5,000 yuan discount is available on the final payment for Model 3 orders placed by October 31. The Rear-Wheel Drive and both Long Range variants are also eligible for an 8,000 yuan insurance subsidy. Combining these two offers brings the advertised starting price for the Model 3 down to 222,500 yuan. The vehicle's official list prices remain unchanged.
| Model 3 Variant | Starting List Price (yuan) |
|---|---|
| Rear-Wheel Drive | 235,500 |
| Long Range RWD | 259,500 |
| Long Range AWD | 285,500 |
| Performance AWD | 339,500 |
Other promotions include five-year, zero-percent financing with a 79,900 yuan down payment, an 8,000 yuan benefit for optional paint, and a choice of three charging perks. These incentives continue a promotion Tesla first announced on September 25.
Model 3 deliveries show mixed performance amid broader Tesla China decline
These updates come as Model 3 deliveries in China show signs of recovery. In August, the sedan reached its highest monthly total for 2023 with 20,787 units delivered, a year-on-year increase of 17.18%. Despite this growth, Tesla's overall deliveries in China fell for the third consecutive month. Total August deliveries dropped 12.43% year-on-year to 50,047 vehicles, as stronger Model 3 numbers could not offset weaker Model Y performance.
For the first eight months of the year, cumulative Model 3 deliveries in China stood at 89,320, which is down 25.26% compared to the same period last year. The data, sourced from the China Passenger Car Association, highlights the competitive pressure Tesla faces in the region. Tesla continues a promotion announced on September 25, offering incentives for Model 3 orders placed by October 31.
