Tesla doesn’t like how much to buy $46K Chinese SUV reservations

Tesla doesn’t like pre-orders for the new 46K Chinese SUV that originally appeared on Autoblog.

Dongfeng’s M817 fills the gap in off-road in Tesla’s inability to fill China

Tesla has already occupied the lost ground in China this year, while automaker Dongfeng’s new 912-horsepower SUV has earned nearly 10,000 pre-orders in 24 hours. Dongfeng, one of China’s four largest state-owned automakers, has provided these reservations for its M Hero M817 hybrid, which can serve as an alternative to Tesla products with a multifaceted value proposition.

The M817’s off-road capability fills the niche of Tesla yet, as its Seber is not for sale in the country. Dongfeng also sold its M817 for $329,000, which equates to about $45,854, allowing drivers to get reliable versatility without spending money. The 5-seat SUV comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and two electric motors, resulting in 4.2 seconds of 0-62 mph time and 124 miles of hybrid car’s all-electric range and excellent all-electric range. Additionally, its 912 horsepower rating complements the 944 lb-ft of torque and a 4×4 drivetrain.

Dongfeng’s M817 is equipped with Huawei’s latest Advertising 4 driving assistance system. Huawei’s ADS 4 driver assistance system represents China’s debut in high-speed level 3 commercial autonomous solution and includes the first quality-produced high-precision solid-state radar (light detection and range), the first mass-produced cabin In-Cabin Laser Laser Vision sensor, as well as the first distributed mirmimeter radar.

The M817 will feature a dual exterior design marked “City Edition” and off-road Edition. CAR News Chinese driver reportedly has hidden mechanical door handling and low-tork wheels, while off-road version has exposed hinges, Beadlock Wheels and a 12,500-pound electric winch display surface, a 15.6-inch floating center screen with aero-style switches and rotary knobs to minimize reliance on touch control.

How Tesla has performed in China recently

While Dongfeng received positive news after its initial booking, Tesla registered 9,900 cars in China between July 14 and 20, down nearly 20% from 12,300 last week and 5.7% lower than the same period last year. Last year, Tesla’s sales in the third quarter increased by more than 70% year-on-year. Tesla China’s registration has been climbing after the company released its minimum quota in early July. From January 1 to July 20, Tesla’s sales fell 4.8% year-on-year, with a total of 291,300 units delivered.

The final thought

Unlike the hundreds of thousands of bookings that Xiaomi’s Yu7 Electric SUV pulled out in China last month, Dongfeng’s M-Hero M817’s deposit is refundable. Still, Dongfeng accepted 9,713 pre-orders in a day, suggesting that automakers can compete with automakers like the entire Tesla and China’s NEV (new energy vehicle) market. The appeal of this model is rooted in hybrid versatility, combining quality all-electric range, off-road functionality and power, hard to miss.

Tesla

This story was first appeared on July 23, 2025 by Autoblog.