Tesla weighs China sales reset
STORY: Tesla could make some big changes to how it operates in China.
Sources have told Reuters the automaker is reevaluating how it sells electric cars in the country.
It could reportedly close some showrooms in cities like Beijing, where footfall plunged during the health crisis.
The sources say the shift would put more focus on stores in less costly suburban locations that can provide repairs.
Tesla is working to meet CEO Elon Musk's goal of improving service for existing customers.
The carmaker has been the target of a series of customer complaints and lawsuits in China.
Some state media outlets have criticized the company.
One source said Tesla would look to hire more technicians and other staff for service jobs in China.
As of Thursday (September 15), over 300 openings for service jobs were advertised on its Chinese recruitment site.
Tesla didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
It's the second-largest EV brand in China, behind local rival BYD, and has over 200 stores across the country.
But more than half don't offer maintenance services since they are in high-rent locations where space is limited.
Tesla sold 400,000 China-made Model 3 and Model Y cars in the first eight months of the year.
60% were sold locally - much more than a year before, according to the China Passenger Car Association.
