Tesla has made a strong entry into the Chinese market and China’s ambassador in the U.S., Qin Gang, recently had the opportunity to experience a Model S Plaid from the passenger seat.
The diplomat met with Elon Musk at Tesla’s factory in Fremont, California where the Model S Plaid is built and shared a handful of images of his experience to Twitter. In one photo, Musk can be seen demonstrating the car’s Autopilot system with his hands off the steering wheel and his feet seemingly moved away from the pedals. It’s unclear if the Model S Plaid featured has Tesla’s ‘Full-Self Driving’ beta software.
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In the post, Qin Gang described the Model S Plaid as a “powerful model” with a “smooth ride.” He posted two other photos of his time with Musk, including one where he said he had an “inspiring talk” with Tesla’s CEO “on cars on the road, stars in the sky, research of human brain, meaning of life on earth and our future into the space. Look up and think beyond,” he wrote.
Took a ride in a @Tesla Model S Plaid on #autopilot. Powerful model, but smooth ride! pic.twitter.com/MlFJ6FKfKy
— Qin Gang 秦刚 (@AmbQinGang) March 4, 2022
China has become an increasingly important market for Tesla ever since production at its factory in Shanghai began production in late 2019. The site has the capacity to produce 450,000 units annually and many of the vehicles produced at the site are exported to overseas markets. In fact, roughly half of the cars that Tesla sold globally last year were produced at the Shanghai site.
Had an inspiring talk with @elonmusk today on cars on the road, stars in the sky, research of human brain, meaning of life on earth and our future into the space. Look up and think beyond! pic.twitter.com/7ReluxSTIg
— Qin Gang 秦刚 (@AmbQinGang) March 4, 2022