Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory delivered 95,366 vehicles in September, up 10.7% from August, while domestic sales in China reached 64,837 units, up 29.5% month-on-month, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) reported by PCauto. Both figures mark the highest monthly totals so far in 2026.
For the first nine months of the year, the Shanghai plant delivered a cumulative 743,300 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 26.8%. However, domestic deliveries in the same period totaled 381,200 units, down 14% from a year earlier.
Model Y and Model 3 sales trends
Looking at individual models, the Tesla Model Y recorded cumulative domestic sales of 226,931 units from January to August, a decline of 6.3% year-on-year. The Tesla Model 3 sold 89,320 units domestically in the same period, down 12.4%.
The Model Y is priced with a Chinese guide price before taxes and incentives of 263,500 to 369,000 yuan (about $37,100 to $52,000). The Model 3 carries a guide price of 235,500 to 339,500 yuan (about $33,200 to $47,800).
Promotional push
In response to intense competition, Tesla launched a limited-time autumn purchase incentive on September 25. Customers who order by October 31, 2026, can receive a final payment discount of 5,000 yuan (about $700) on the Model 3 and 7,000 yuan (about $990) on the Model Y, along with a five-year zero-interest loan, paint subsidies, and insurance benefits.
The Shanghai Gigafactory, which produces the Model 3 and Model Y for both domestic and export markets, has been a key driver of Tesla's global volume. The September performance underscores the plant's resilience amid a price war in China's EV market, where domestic rivals like BYD and Nio continue to launch competitive models.
According to PCauto, the sales data reflects Tesla's ongoing efforts to maintain its position in China, the world's largest EV market. The factory's cumulative output for 2026 so far has already surpassed 740,000 units, setting a strong pace for the remainder of the year.
