Beijing (ZXZC)- The wholesale volume of China-made Tesla vehicles amounted to 65,814 units in March, the highest one during the first three months of this year, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

The results included 60 vehicles exported from its Shanghai plant, as the American brand usually export fewer vehicles from its Shanghai plant at the end of a quarter.  In the first quarter of this year, Tesla sold a total of 182,174 Shanghai-made vehicles, including 73,874 exported to other markets. 

In March, China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) wholesale volume stood at 455,000 units, representing a year-over-year surge of 122.4% and a month-over-month jump of 43.6%. The monthly wholesale of battery electric vehicles grew 116.8% year over year to 371,000 vehicles while that of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles increased by 151.3% from a year earlier to 84,000 units.

The year-to-date NEV volume soared 145.4% from a year ago to 1.19 million units. Besides, numerous automakers announced to increase NEV prices in March, resulting in ample orders before the price adjustment takes effect.

The association said that BYD’s leading position in NEV market continued to be enhanced by its battery electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle portfolio while such traditional automakers as SAIC Motor and GAC Group also had outstanding performance in NEV market in March.

Thirteen automakers had monthly NEV wholesale volume of over 10,000 units, including BYD (104,338 units), Tesla, SAIC GM Wuling (51,157 units), Chery Auto (21,817 units), GAC Aion (20,317 units), Changan (15,624 units), XPeng (15,414 units), Great Wall Motor (15,057 units), Geely (14,166 units), NETA (12,206 units), Li Auto (11,034 units), SAIC Motor PV (10,880 units), Leapmotor (10,059 units).

Last month, the country exported 11,000 NEVs to other markets. Apart from Tesla, SAIC Motor PV exported 4,658 units, eGT New Energy Automotive Co., Ltd. (eGT) 2,532 units, BYD 1,109 units, Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën 1,046 units.