The initial batch of Tesla vehicles constructed in China has been handed over to their buyers.

A total of fifteen Model 3 sedans were delivered at the Tesla “Gigafactory” in Shanghai earlier this week. Tesla has been striving to capture a significant portion of the largest automobile market globally. The company’s success in China stands in stark contrast to other businesses that had to relocate their manufacturing operations due to the intense trade tensions between the US and China. Major American brands like Apple and Dell have already begun shifting their production facilities to neighboring countries in Asia.

The first fifteen deliveries of Chinese-made Tesla vehicles were finalized as fifteen employees at the Gigafactory received their cars. The quick completion of these orders is noteworthy, given that Tesla’s presence in China is relatively recent, with the construction of the Gigafactory commencing just over a year ago. The company has been swift in pushing out deliveries ahead of the Lunar New Year, which commences on January 25th. The upcoming focus will be on ramping up deliveries as the new year progresses.

The starting price for the Tesla Model 3 is $50,000. This puts the car in competition with the rapidly expanding Chinese electric car market, pitting Tesla against local players like NIO and Xpeng Motors. Additionally, established brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW are active in the Chinese market. While Tesla continues to strengthen its position in China, it is also looking to establish a new large-scale factory near Berlin as part of its global expansion plans.