Six Seats + Extended Wheelbase: Tesla Taps China-First Design to Unlock New Growth Curve

TradingKey - On Thursday (U.S. Eastern Time), Tesla’s extended-wheelbase, six-seat SUV — the Model Y L, launched in China, saw explosive demand after its release. October delivery slots are already fully booked, and new orders are now expected to be fulfilled no earlier than November 2025. Boosted by the news, Tesla shares surged over 6%, reaching their highest level since February.

Since its launch on August 19, this highly anticipated model has quickly become one of Tesla’s best-selling vehicles in China, injecting fresh momentum into the company amid fierce competition in the Chinese EV market.

Priced from RMB 339,000, the Model Y L maintains the same body width as the standard version but increases rear seat lateral space by 20mm through optimized design, significantly improving comfort for third-row passengers. The vehicle directly targets Chinese family buyers who prioritize spacious interiors and flexible seating — a key demographic in China’s auto market.

The Model Y L features dual-motor all-wheel drive, delivers a CLTC range of 751 kilometers (CLTC, or China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle, is China’s official testing standard for electric vehicle range set by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology), and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, balancing performance with practicality.

Industry estimates suggest that first-day orders exceeded 35,000 units. Its six-seat configuration and extended design have successfully broadened Tesla’s customer base, attracting more family-oriented buyers and opening up a new growth trajectory for the company.

Initial deliveries began last week.

Market analysts believe the strong sales of the Model Y L could not only boost Tesla’s Q4 performance in China but may also position the vehicle as a strategic export model, targeting global markets with growing demand for large, family-focused electric SUVs. Based on its rapid sell-through, Tesla still holds a notable brand advantage in China’s core EV segment.