Tesla ramping up its Shanghai production

US electric carmaker Tesla is introducing Chinese-made performance and long range Model 3 vehicles to meet demand in the world's largest auto market.

Tesla's Gigafactory in Shanghai is also hiring more staff to ramp up its Model 3 capacity. The company is looking for nearly 30 positions, including shift leaders and technicians, via an online recruitment fair.

Global Vice President Tao Lin said the Shanghai factory is on target to produce 150,000 vehicles this year.

Tesla released a short video showing the inside of its Gigafactory in Shanghai and its highly automated production line. It also features the general assembly line, body shop, paint shop and stamping press line.

Tesla aims to deliver Chinese-made long range Model 3s from June, priced at 339,050 yuan (US$48,052) after subsidies. The long range version has a range of over 668 kilometers before needing to be recharged.

The performance models will be delivered to consumers from the first quarter of 2021, priced at 419,800 yuan. No after-subsidies price has been specified. 

Tesla sold 10,160 vehicles in China in March, setting its highest monthly sales volume after entering the Chinese market, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association.