Tesla to exhibit Cybercab robotaxi in China: can it spark buzz amid slow sales?
While the company stresses the tour does not signal the vehicle will be sold in China, some observers believe it could still bolster the brand’s position
Tesla is facing weaker sales in China this year, but the American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer is looking to generate a buzz in its second-largest market by exhibiting its new self-driving vehicle, the Cybercab.
The robotaxi – which operates entirely without a steering wheel, pedals or rear-view mirrors – would debut in major Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, starting mid-September in a showcase of product design and technological sophistication, according to Tesla China.
However, the company clarified that the Cybercab exhibition did not indicate the cars would be sold in China, nor that Tesla’s robotaxi business would operate there any time soon.
Still, industry observers and automotive dealers noted that the promotional tour could strengthen Tesla’s brand visibility in the world’s largest EV market, bringing potential longer-term benefits.