Introduction: Many electric cars in the author's memory have been positioned as competitors to Tesla right from the start, surpassing Tesla in certain performance parameters.

Today, the author will briefly review how these so-called 'Tesla competitors' are faring: 1. Xiaomi SU7 vs. Tesla Model 3: Xiaomi SU7 is positioned as a competitor to the Model 3. According to Lei Jun, Xiaomi SU7 is larger and performs better than the Model 3, with features like air suspension, enhanced comfort, and a superior center console screen. Crucially, it is also more affordable than the Model 3. In August, Xiaomi SU7 sold over 10,000 units, while Tesla Model 3 deliveries exceeded 18,000 units.

For now, the Model 3 leads, but it cannot be denied that Xiaomi SU7 holds significant appeal among young buyers, potentially becoming their first sports car. 2. NIO EC6 vs. Tesla Model Y: NIO EC6, with a BAAS price starting at 288,000 yuan, aims to provide an alternative to the Tesla Model Y, which starts at 249,900 yuan. In August, NIO EC6 sold 2,619 units, while Model Y sold 45,000 units.

Honestly, this alternative comes at a premium price. 3. Feifan R7 vs. Tesla Model Y: Feifan R7, a new energy vehicle from SAIC, has an official price range of only 189,900 to 229,900 yuan, significantly cheaper than the Model Y. In August 2024, it sold 222 units.

For a car that refuses to compromise on its identity, whether it can truly deliver on its promises remains to be seen. 4. Letao L60 vs. Tesla Model Y: Li Bin, CEO of NIO, announced that the new L60 will directly compete with Tesla Model Y. Interestingly, the presale price of L60 is set at 219,900 yuan, a full 30,000 yuan cheaper than the Model Y. L60 has made significant strides in range extension and energy efficiency, boasting an energy consumption of 12+ kW/100km, impressive considering Tesla's average of around 15 kW/100km. L60 also offers battery swapping, a feature superior to Tesla's. With L60 already launched and expected to start deliveries in late September, NIO's August sales exceeding 20,000 units suggest that this 'budget' version could become a hit.

5. Zhijie R7 vs. Tesla Model Y: Zhijie R7, the second model from Huawei's HarmonyOS-powered brand in collaboration with Chery, debuted at the Chengdu Auto Show in August. Priced to compete with Tesla Model Y but offering Model X-level features, Zhijie R7 comes equipped with ADS 3.0 autonomous driving technology, a range of 802km, and an abundance of smart and comfort features. With an expected price range of 300,000 to 400,000 yuan, it aims to surpass the Model Y. Sales figures for Zhijie R7 are currently unavailable, but it remains to be seen if it will enjoy similar success as the Wenjie series. Meanwhile, Zhijie S7 sold 1,541 units in August 2024.

6. AVATR 07 vs. Tesla Model Y: AVATR 07, the third model from AVATR, is described as a blend of AVATR 11's exterior and AVATR 12's interior, effectively positioning it as AVATR's answer to Tesla Model Y. Set to officially launch on September 26, AVATR 07 rolled off the production line at Chang'an's smart factory on September 9.

With its stunning design, AVATR 07 stands out in the new energy vehicle landscape, offering one of the few truly original designs outside of NIO. Equipped with Huawei's ADS autonomous driving technology, it boasts strong competitiveness, with a presale price range of 250,000 to 350,000 yuan. AVATR sold 3,712 units in August. 7. IM Motor LS6 vs. Tesla Model Y: IM Motor LS6, another electric brand under SAIC following Feifan, launched in August and has already amassed 15,000 orders, emerging as a dark horse in the market.

8. Jiyue 07 vs. Tesla Model 3: Jiyue, a joint venture between Baidu and Geely (formerly known as Jidu), has struggled to gain traction in the market. Jiyue 07, however, boasts a striking design and end-to-end autonomous driving technology that the author believes is second only to Huawei's in China. Backed by Baidu's autonomous driving ecosystem, its future potential is promising.

With a starting price of 215,900 yuan, is Jiyue 07 paying homage to Xiaomi SU7? Jiyue sold 2,117 units in August 2024, and it remains to be seen if the launch of Jiyue 07 will boost overall sales. In the past, other vehicles have also positioned themselves as Tesla competitors, such as Ford Mustang Mach-E, but many have since faded into obscurity. Most Tesla competitors tend to match or undercut Tesla in terms of product capabilities and pricing.

Tesla continues to dominate the Chinese market, selling 63,000 units in August 2024, a new monthly record and a 37% increase from the previous month. Conclusion: Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability is expected to launch in China next year, potentially reigniting sales. For domestic manufacturers to truly compete with Tesla, they must bring their A-game, leveraging unique strengths like Huawei's autonomous driving technology, Lixiang's extended-range capabilities, or NIO's battery swapping service. By learning from the best, domestic brands can achieve remarkable progress. The market eagerly awaits the genuine innovations and achievements of these emerging players.