Tesla has recalled nearly 128,000 cars in China due to a fault that could "increase the risk of vehicle collision", the country's state market regulator said.

It is the latest hitch for the US electric vehicle giant that is hugely popular in China, but has also faced complaints from consumers and been hit by Covid-19 lockdowns.

About 127,785 domestic and imported Tesla Model 3 cars were recalled due to a rear motor inverter defect discovered after regulators launched a probe, according to a Thursday notice.

"When this fault occurs when the car is driving, it will cause the vehicle to lose its driving motion," the State Administration of Market Regulation said.

"In extreme cases, this could increase the risk of vehicle collision."

Tesla sold a record 70,847 cars in China in December, facing stiff competition from homegrown brands such as Nio and XPeng.

But the carmaker has also been targeted by numerous social media complaints from Chinese users about quality and service issues, culminating in a high-profile customer protest at the Shanghai Auto Show in April last year.

Tesla's Shanghai "gigafactory" has been shut for at least 12 days due to a spiralling outbreak that has seen record infection numbers and confined the city's 25 million residents at home indefinitely, according to Bloomberg.

In December Tesla recalled almost 200,000 vehicles from China over a trunk defect that increased the risk of collisions.

As the world's biggest polluter, China has heavily encouraged sales of electric and hybrid vehicles through subsidies, aiming to have a majority of cars powered with clean energy by 2035.

Tesla founder Elon Musk last year predicted that China would become the firm's biggest market in the long term, and has sought to increase its foothold in the country as the world's biggest consumer of electric vehicles.

lxc/rox/dva

TESLA MOTORS

XPENG

Related Links
Car Technology at SpaceMart.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Interurban Vehicle - Green and comfortable travel even on long journeys
Stuttgart, Germany (SPX) Mar 29, 2022
With the Interurban Vehicle (IUV), the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has developed a ground-breaking concept for mid- and upper range vehicles. At five metres long and two metres across, the IUV can accommodate five people. It combines a fuel cell and battery with new methods of energy management and is designed for emission-free and comfortable driving over long distances of up to 1000 kilometres. Autonomous features ease the strain on the driver and imp ... read more