Why don't people buy Tesla?

[JosephineDella]

Because Tesla is relatively expensive and unaffordable for most people. Here are the relevant details: Introduction: Tesla is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company that manufactures and sells electric cars, solar panels, and energy storage systems. Development History: Tesla's initial new energy vehicle startup team primarily came from Silicon Valley, adopting an IT philosophy to build cars rather than following the traditional automotive manufacturer approach represented by Detroit. Currently, there are no national subsidies for this model, which can be considered a popular choice in the market. The vehicle dimensions are 4978×1964×1445mm with a wheelbase of 2960mm, and its sports car-like appearance has indeed captured many people's attention.

[GrantFitz]

Tesla has a strong tech vibe, but I always feel it's a bit pricey. With the same budget, you can get a better-equipped domestic electric vehicle, like NIO with ventilated and massaging seats, or XPeng whose smart driving is more adapted to local road conditions. Plus, charging stations are scarce in third- and fourth-tier cities, and you have to check charging spots in advance when returning to your hometown, which is less hassle-free than gas cars. Moreover, there's constant news about brake controversies—though nothing's been proven, it still makes me uneasy, feeling less reliable than traditional brands. Also, maintenance costs aren't transparent; I heard replacing a battery could cost 70,000 to 80,000 yuan, and the resale value isn't great either. After all the calculations, I ended up choosing another brand.

[OKing]

My friend drives a Tesla. The supercharging is fast, but finding a charging spot in the city often means queuing for half an hour, and it's even worse on weekends. My residential property management won't allow installing a charging station, so detouring daily to find a charging spot is a hassle. The biggest issue is the significant winter range drop—advertised as 500 km, but with the heater on, it's barely over 300 km, making long trips nerve-wracking. Plus, the interior is too basic, lacking even a dashboard; checking the speed requires glancing sideways at the central screen, which is tiring on long drives. The prices are also unpredictable—the Model Y bought last year has dropped by 40,000 yuan, leaving early buyers furious. Who'd dare to buy one casually under these conditions?

[McKeira]

Now there are too many options for domestic electric vehicles. For example, the BYD Han not only has the safety of blade batteries but also comes with heated and ventilated seats. Tesla may have fast acceleration, but the details are not as thoughtful as domestic cars, even requiring self-installation for wireless phone charging. I previously saw crash tests where the A-pillar strength was insufficient; although it got a 5-star rating, it always felt unsettling. Plus, the single-pedal mode is prone to misoperation—my parents, used to driving gasoline cars, simply can't adapt. The brand premium is also high. At the same price of 300,000 yuan, the Li Auto L7 offers more space and higher configurations, making it more suitable for family use.

[OReid]

Tesla's Autopilot performs well overseas, but often has recognition issues in China. My colleague experienced phantom braking on the highway, almost causing a rear-end collision. After-sales service is also frustrating—minor scratches take 2-3 weeks to repair due to limited service centers and expensive parts. The OTA update that secretly locked battery capacity was exposed—unacceptable for a $60,000 car with reduced range. Interior rattles are common, and build quality lags behind comparable BBA models. The biggest headache is expensive insurance—second-year premiums cost $300+ more than gas cars, making total ownership costs unreasonable.

[HarmonyLynn]

As a Shanghainese, buying a Tesla before was quite cost-effective with the green license plate exemption from purchase tax. Now, with tightened policies, many cities have restrictions on green license plates, and subsidies are gone. On the other hand, other domestic brands offer local subsidies, like Guangzhou providing charging subsidies for XPeng purchases. Moreover, Tesla's frequent price drops make used car dealers reluctant to take them, with residual value dropping to just half after three years. Software features require additional payments, even basic functions like heated steering wheel cost over 2,000 yuan to unlock. The steering wheel design is too heavy, making it difficult for women to drive. Recently, domestic car brands have launched LiDAR versions with more precise autonomous driving, further weakening Tesla's advantages.