New Tesla Model Y: Booming orders in China, criticism in the US

More than 70,000 units of the 2025 electric SUV were purchased in just five days. But criticism rains down on social media in America

Photo by: Tesla

By: Francesco Barontini

Jan 28, 2025 at 7:00am ET

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The new Model Y has a difficult task: to revive the sales of the world's best-selling car in 2023, and therefore those of Tesla as a whole. The car has only just made the list in the West, but in China it went on sale a few days earlier and now the first figures are coming in.

Well, in five days, the electric SUV has received more than 70,000 orders. This is according to local news agency Yicai, which published a report on 25 January.

A 'global' success

Tesla began selling the new Model Y in China on 10 January. Initially, the RWD and AWD Long Range versions with a five-seat configuration entered the list. The first deliveries are expected to take place in March.

The curious rear light signature of the new Tesla Model Y

Photo by: Tesla

The new Model Y, which is the result of a joint China-US effort with the Chinese engineering team working on the exterior and interior design and the American team working on the software, went on sale here. For now, it is only available in Europe in the Long Range version with all-wheel drive in Launch Series trim. In the UK it costs £60,990.

Criticism in the USA

But while the car is selling very well in China, it has been attacked on social media in America, largely because of Elon Musk's recent public behaviour and support for Donald Trump's election campaign.

some-negative-comments-about-the-new-model-y-appeared-on-us-socials

Some negative comments on the new Model Y appeared on US social media

Photo by: InsideEVs

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There is strong evidence that some motorists looking for an electric car have chosen to buy a 'non-Tesla' model precisely in protest at the comments made by the company's CEO. There are two main types of comments. There are those who criticise the car's appearance, which is seen as unattractive (but everyone can have their say on aesthetics) and, most notably, there are those who do not accept Elon Musk's recent rhetoric, which is seen as too close to the far right and white supremacist movements.

In short, is Elon Musk hurting Tesla? Maybe. But the real question is: how much? In other words, are the boycotts and social media attacks mostly outbursts that will blow over, or will they have real consequences? Certainly, the other manufacturers are riding the momentum and trying to change the balance.