zlacker

Tesla defined the modern EV market through Silicon Valley innovation, while Chinese companies like BYD focused on vertical integration and affordability, eventually overtaking Tesla in sales in 2025 (both started operations around 2003).

Tesla’s entry into the Chinese market via the Shanghai Gigafactory (2019) acted as a "catfish," forcing local Chinese "new forces" like NIO, XPeng, and Li Auto to lower prices and accelerate technological innovation.

>>andsoi+(OP)
You can’t ignore Nissan and the Leaf. I would say they have been just as influential.

>>tonyed+dv
Leaf didn't capture the mind of people that EVs are good options.

Tesla made long-distance driving in EVs possible. Tesla made EV sexy, desirable. It catalyzed the Chinese EV industry. Nissan didn't remotely accomplish those things.

Like someone else said, people think in terms of a pre-Tesla and post-Tesla world. I don't know that there's a strong case against that framing.