Gary Zhou 
Key Points
- 🚗 Export Fleet in Shanghai: A video from the Shanghai South Port terminal reveals Tesla gathering a fleet of Model 3 Highland and Model Y units for export, providing insight into the consistency of domestic Model 3 sales.
- 📊 Domestic Sales Maintenance: The observation suggests that the upgraded Model 3’s estimated local sales have been maintained, and the video shows a concentration of Right-Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles.
- 🌐 International Export: The RHD vehicles spotted are likely destined for countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, explaining the ongoing demand for the Model 3 Highland worldwide.
- 🌏 Giga Shanghai Production: Currently, the upgraded Model 3 is exclusively produced in Giga Shanghai, supplying every country offering the Model 3 Highland from the China-based plant.
- 🌐 Global Demand Handling: Giga Shanghai will continue addressing global demand for the Model 3 Highland until production expands to the Fremont Factory in California. Speculations hint at a new Model 3 Performance in the first half of 2024.
- 📈 Busy Months Ahead: Giga Shanghai anticipates increased activity as it caters to global demand, and potential releases like the speculated Model 3 Performance could contribute to the plant’s busy schedule.
When Tesla China’s weekly insurance registrations were posted for the week of November 27 to December 3, some EV watchers estimated that domestic sales of the upgraded Model 3 seemed to be at the same level as they were before. A recent video from the Shanghai South Port terminal appears to have provided a possible explanation behind the new Model 3’s estimated local sales.
The video was shared online by longtime Tesla watcher Wu Wa, who has been following the progress and development of Giga Shanghai since its earliest days. As could be seen in the video, the electric vehicle maker has been gathering yet another fleet of Model 3 Highland and Model Y units for export at the terminal.
The Tesla watcher also observed that most of the vehicles that were parked at the Shanghai South Port terminal at the time of the flyover were Right-Hand Drive (RHD).
The sighting of the RHD export fleet from Tesla China was appreciated by members of the electric vehicle community, especially those from countries like Australia. Such countries are RHD, and they are also supplied by Giga Shanghai. Thus, the vehicles that were captured in the recent flyover would likely be delivered to RHD countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
So far, the upgraded Tesla Model 3 is only being produced in Giga Shanghai. Thus, every country that currently offers the Model 3 Highland is being supplied by the China-based electric vehicle production plant. With this in mind, perhaps it is not surprising that domestic sales of the upgraded Model 3 have remained consistent over the past weeks and months.
For now, at least, Giga Shanghai would have to address the demand for the Model 3 Highland worldwide — at least until the upgraded Model 3 gets produced in the Fremont Factory in California. Giga Shanghai would likely be very busy in the coming months as well, as speculations and leaks have hinted that a new Model 3 Performance would also be released in the first half of 2024.
Watch Wu Wa’s recent drone flyover in the video below.
