Tesla coming to China fully loaded with optimism

A Tesla S electric car and a charging station are displayed during the press preview day of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, US on January 14, 2014.[Photo/Agencies]

The company earlier reported that its planned allotment of 100 units for China was quickly oversubscribed.

"We will soon open a service center in Beijing, in the Golden Port Circuit near the airport," Guillen said. "We are also looking for sites in Shanghai, Shenzhen and other cities, trying to open them as possible showrooms."

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He said the company will hold a test-drive event for the Model S soon to "let local consumers experience a high-tech electric car".

Although due to unveil 2013 sales figures in mid-February, Guillen disclosed Tesla sold more than 25,000 cars last year.

"Our goal is to double the figure in 2014, with high expectations from China," he said.

Statistics show that in California in the first half of last year, Tesla far outsold other luxury brands, including Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar.

Tesla can produce 600 cars per week, according to Guillen. But he said, "We are aggressively increasing the capacity to support market demand, especially as we start sales in China soon."

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