Chongqing - As the traditional sales peak season of the Chinese automotive market in September and October begins, global electric vehicle giant Tesla has achieved its best weekly sales performance in the Chinese market for the third quarter. According to Tesla China, its sales reached 14,300 units in the first week of September.

The Model Y L is a model designed by Tesla to meet the demand for family cars in the Chinese market. (Photo/Tesla)

Alongside this sales growth, Tesla's two new models have also garnered significant market attention. In the first week of September, Tesla began delivering two key new models in China: the large six-seat SUV Model Y L and the Model 3, which has a long range of up to 830 kilometers and rear-wheel drive.

By September 10, production capacity for the Model 3 was nearly sold out. All October production slots for the Model Y L had been fully booked, and expected delivery dates had been pushed to November.

To further capitalize on the sales season in China, Tesla has introduced a series of promotional offers. Customers who place orders for the Model Y and Model 3 with long range and rear-wheel driving by September 30 will benefit from "5-year 0% financing," an 8,000-yuan (USD 1123.79) insurance subsidy, 8,000 yuan in paint upgrade credits, and a 1,299-yuan special charging benefit.

Despite the short-term sales boost in China, Tesla faces significant challenges. According to Tesla, its global delivery volume dropped 13.2% year-on-year, totaling 721,000 units.

Additionally, competition in the Chinese market is intensifying, with domestic electric vehicle giant BYD surpassing Tesla with 1.023 million pure electric passenger vehicles sold in the first half of 2025, a lead of approximately 300,000 units.

Amidst these challenges in its automotive business, Tesla has chosen to pivot strategically, actively advancing its transformation towards artificial intelligence (AI).

On September 2, Tesla unveiled its "Master Plan Part IV," marking a shift from its previous focus on electric vehicles and energy. This latest release emphasizes AI innovation and application. Tesla is announcing its commitment to driving humanity towards a more sustainable future through autonomous vehicles, AI humanoid robots, and other advanced technologies.

One key product in Tesla’s transformation strategy is the humanoid robot Optimus, which Tesla CEO Elon Musk has frequently promoted in public forums.

During the September 9 All-In Summit, hosted by four well-known Silicon Valley venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, Musk revealed that Tesla is finalizing the design of the Optimus V3, which he regards as "the greatest product in human history." The company is also working towards mass production of this latest-generation robot.

Musk shared that the Optimus V3 will feature a complex hand design, with 26 actuators per arm, enabling "human-like dexterity." The new robot will also be equipped with AI technology, allowing it to "understand the world" and perform tasks in the physical world.

While Musk is confident in the design of the Optimus V3, he also acknowledged that challenges may arise during mass production, such as engineering issues related to the robot’s hands and forearms. As a result, Tesla is building its supply chain from the ground up to address these technical hurdles.