Tesla's introduction of a flying sports car has drawn mixed reactions from Chinese state media, which described it as a "beautiful concept show." While acknowledging the technological achievement, they raised doubts about its practical commercialization and emphasized the competitiveness of China's electric vehicle industry.
On October 21, the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, commented on Tesla's recent demonstration of its next-generation sports car, the Roadster, stating that it is closer to a beautiful concept show than a vehicle that can be used in everyday traffic.
Tesla unveiled the Roadster on October 15 at SpaceX's testing facility in Texas, showcasing a propulsion system that allows the car to briefly lift off the ground, spin in the air, and land.
Following the demonstration, concerns arose in China about the country's automotive industry lagging behind the U.S., alongside reactions dismissing the vehicle as merely a large toy that jumps into the air. The People's Daily cautioned against both extremes of evaluation, asserting that the achievements of China's new energy vehicle industry should not be undermined simply because of a new demonstration.
They specifically pointed out that the Tesla Roadster faces numerous challenges before it can operate on actual roads. Issues such as relevant laws, safety certifications, and consumer preferences regarding vehicles equipped with compressed tanks remain uncertain.
In contrast, the Chinese automotive industry highlighted its technological achievements in areas such as speed, charging, and autonomous driving. A notable example is BYD's high-performance model, the Yangwang U9 Extreme, which recorded a speed of 308.71 mph. Additionally, CATL's third-generation ultra-fast charging battery can be fully charged at room temperature in just six minutes.
In the realm of smart driving, Huawei and Li Auto's technological capabilities were mentioned, while Xpeng's detachable flying car, dubbed the "land aircraft carrier," was noted for exceeding 7,000 pre-orders as of April this year.
The People's Daily remarked that Tesla's Shanghai factory previously stimulated competition among local automakers, creating a so-called "catfish effect." However, it now argues that Chinese companies have gained competitiveness in the electric vehicle and smart technology sectors, leading innovation in the market. Nonetheless, they warned against an overly dismissive attitude toward Tesla's new technology, emphasizing that for China's automotive industry to ascend as a powerhouse, it must adopt an open stance that recognizes innovations from other companies.
Chinese state media Global Times also countered interpretations from U.S. media regarding Tesla's Roadster unveiling. Citing a report from the Wall Street Journal, Global Times argued that the view that Tesla is developing flying cars due to falling behind Chinese competitors is not accurate.
Furthermore, Global Times criticized the WSJ's characterization of the growth of China's automotive industry as a market "swallowing" others, suggesting it misrepresents the competitiveness of Chinese firms.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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