Tesla Cars Hit a Roadblock at China’s Secret Summer Retreat
Starting July 1, the coastal resort of Beidaihe is putting a pause on Tesla‑powered rides for a minimum of two months. The move, announced to Reuters by an unnamed member of the Beidaihe Traffic Police, came hot on the heels of Tesla restrictions in Chengdu during President Xi’s city visit.
Why the Sudden Ban?
Details are scarce, but the police officer hinted that the decision touches on “national affairs.” A formal announcement is still “on the way,” according to the source, and Tesla has yet to weigh in.
Beidaihe, a beachside enclave east of Beijing, is famed for its secretive summer conclave where China’s senior leaders huddle to shuffle personnel and craft policy—no public timetable, no press releases.
Chengdu’s Short‑Lived Curfew
Earlier this month, Tesla vehicles were quietly redirected from certain streets in Chengdu. Footage on social media showed drivers shunting away from police‑marked zones, but the restriction never made it into official statements.
Past Suspensions and Security Issues
- 2019 – The Chinese military barred Teslas from its bases, citing Camera concerns.
- 2020 – CEO Elon Musk slapped back on camera snooping claims, warning of a company shutdown if it were true.
- 2021 – After a brief slip, Tesla confirmed that all vehicle data generated in China would be stored locally.
The debate? Tesla’s cars are decked out with an array of cameras and sensors that help with parking, lane changes, and more—features that regulators around the world are still figuring out how to handle.
China: A Prime Tesla Playground
China isn’t just a big sweet spot for Tesla’s sales; it’s also a manufacturing hub, with the Shanghai plant churning out Model 3 and Model Y units for domestic shelves and export trays.
Last year, Tesla’s Shanghai factory produced roughly 468,000 vehicles—about half of the 936,000 cars delivered globally. This year, however, the same plant has been snared by Shanghai’s record 22‑day lockdown, a covid‑driven hiccup that’s all but bruising its output.
So, while Tesla’s sleek sedans gleam on streets across China, some are being temporarily put in the parking lot—at least for a hot summer stretch. Stay tuned for that official beeline announcement and maybe a subplot where the cars finally decide to drive off in valiant comebacks!
