Musk Praises China, Touts Shanghai-Built Model Y
Tesla chief Elon Musk said in an investor interview that he loves China, citing the success of a Shanghai-made vehicle.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
Tesla head Elon Musk said he loves China during an interview with investor Ron Baron. He pointed to the Tesla Model Y produced in Shanghai as the best-selling electric car in China.
Why it matters
Musk's remarks highlight the central role Chinese manufacturing and sales play in Tesla's electric vehicle business. The comments come after Musk accompanied President Donald Trump on a delegation to Beijing, underscoring the commercial stakes of US-China relations for automakers.
The source gives no quantitative figures for Model Y sales in China, so the best-selling claim cannot be measured against rival vehicles. No production volumes or market share percentages were reported.
The players
Elon Musk
Elon Musk is the chief executive of Tesla and a prominent figure in the electric vehicle and technology industries.
Ron Baron
Ron Baron is an investor and founder of Baron Capital known for his long-running public market investment strategies.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States, who led a delegation to Beijing that included Elon Musk.
The details
In an interview with investor Ron Baron, Musk said he loves China and cited the Shanghai-built Model Y as the top-selling EV in the country. Musk had earlier traveled to Beijing in May as part of a delegation accompanying President Donald Trump.
Timeline
May: Musk visits Beijing as part of a delegation accompanying President Donald Trump.
November 7, 2026: Interview with Ron Baron published in which Musk praises China.
Roadmap
Tesla's Shanghai factory has become a central pillar of its global electric vehicle strategy, with locally built models serving the world's largest EV market. Musk's praise signals that China remains a key battleground in the competition between Tesla and domestic Chinese automakers.
Buyers in the United States considering an electric vehicle may find that Tesla's China production shapes the pricing and supply of models sold domestically. Readers following EV prices should watch how Shanghai output affects availability.
The takeaway
Musk's comments underscore that the commercial success of electric vehicles is increasingly tied to manufacturing and sales in China. Readers tracking EV choices should note how production location can influence the cars they are offered.
Further reading
For more on the market forces shaping the sector, explore Electric Vehicles coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Political Lore.
