Chinese Internet Company Sets Sights On Tesla In Chinese EV Market

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Google may be off pursuing autonomous commuter pods, but another Internet-related company in China as decided to take on Tesla directly in the EV game.

Forbes reports Leshi Internet Information and Technology Co., a concern that makes Internet TVs and set-top boxes, will begin building electric vehicles under what chairman and president Jia Yueting calls the “Super Electric Eco-System.” Jia and his representative in Los Angeles, Luo Qimei, both said the results of the program — which has been in the works since the early days of 2014 — will best those of Tesla and other western companies.

Leshi is entering the game amid weak demand for EVs in China, linked to a lack of sufficient infrastructure and local protectionism barriers. The Chinese government are attempting to build-up demand by providing tax breaks for consumers who buy from local automakers such as BYD, along with ordering government officials to use more EVs. That said, Leshi believes it will stand out among the competition, though Luo won’t say how much her company will invest into making it so.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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 11 comments
  • Felix Hoenikker Felix Hoenikker on Dec 10, 2014

    Tesla has been at this for a decade. I think catching up with them in a year is wishful thinking unless they have hacked Tesla's technology by stealing it off Tesla's servers. Even then, Tesla still has a formidable lead. The Chinese government failed to jump start it's EV industry by restricting the export of rare earth metals, but that too was a failure. This kind of protectionism just doesn't work.

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    • JPWhite JPWhite on Dec 10, 2014

      @carguy67 Yes I'm sure they kept the EV equivalent of the ignition rotor to themselves :-) As you say the Chinese will have to pedal much harder to keep up with Tesla, never mind catch up.

  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Dec 10, 2014

    I love how foreign companies make these kinds of statements. There's no evidence to back it up, and not much of anything which can be proved. But by God they're gonna beat Tesla almost immediately. I mean they have been at it a year, so no big surprise!

  • Schmitt trigger Schmitt trigger on Dec 10, 2014

    Tesla should retaliate by announcing it will start making TVs and set top boxes. Between a bragging match between Elon Musk and Jia Yueting, my bet is solid on Elon.

    • See 1 previous
    • Shaker Shaker on Dec 11, 2014

      Tesla Bluetooth speakers that run a year on a charge. Nyah-Nyah, Chine!

  • PandaBear PandaBear on Dec 11, 2014

    It is easy to do if you buy parts and platforms, established assembly lines, and just slap your own logo on it. I don't see how it will work financially if they are not government sponsored for national pride reason.

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