Tesla Model 3 in Quicksilver Now Available, Model Y Joins China's NEV Procurement Catalog

The re-engineered Tesla Model 3 in Quicksilver paint is now available for Giga Shanghai-supplied locations, showcasing a striking new look. Additionally, the Tesla Model Y has made it to China’s local government NEV procurement catalog, marking a significant milestone for Tesla in China.

Tesla Model 3 Now Available in Quicksilver for Giga Shanghai Markets, Expanding Paint Options

According to Teslarati, the re-engineered Model 3 sedan is now available in Quicksilver paint in countries supplied by Tesla Giga Shanghai. Initially, Quicksilver was exclusively available on Model Y units manufactured at Giga Berlin, and it is one of Tesla's most striking paint options.

Tesla's order page shows that Quicksilver is now a paint option for China's re-engineered Model 3 sedan. The paint option is also reasonably priced, at RMB 12,000 ($1,650), the same price as Ultra Red, which was introduced in the United States.

The images of the re-engineered Model 3 sedan that Tesla released in Quicksilver are breathtaking. Quicksilver is one of two exclusive paint variants introduced for the Model Y, which Giga Berlin manufactured in October 2022. Tesla at the time observed that Quicksilver was developed at Giga Berlin's sophisticated paint factory, which enables the application of up to 13 layers to achieve a hand-painted appearance, depth, and dimension.

Quicksilver is a highly pigmented metallic paint engineered to adapt to light and viewing angles, rendering it an ideal choice for the re-engineered Tesla Model 3. This is particularly true for the new Tesla Model 3 Performance, which boasts an extra-aggressive front and rear end. Quicksilver's depth and dimension will only serve to emphasize these features.

Since its introduction, Quicksilver has been available for Model Y vehicles manufactured in Giga Shanghai and, more recently, Giga Texas; however, it has been distributed in restricted quantities. According to aerial imagery from China, Quicksilver has been a highly sought-after alternative for the Model Y. Therefore, it would not be unexpected if the hue option becomes highly popular for the re-engineered Model 3 sedan.

Tesla Model Y Added to China’s NEV Catalog as Security Concerns Are Resolved

China's security concerns regarding Tesla's vehicles have been entirely resolved. According to industry observers, Giga Shanghai manufactures the Tesla Model Y, which is included in a local government vehicle procurement manifest in China.

The Tesla Model Y Rear Wheel Drive (RWD), the entry-level variant of the all-electric crossover, has made a rare entry into the Jiangsu provincial government's NEV catalog, as reported by the CNEV Post. This marks the inaugural appearance of a Tesla China vehicle on the roster.

The Jiangsu government's NEV procurement catalog includes vehicles from domestic manufacturers, including the Avatr 11, Deepal S7, and IM Motors LS6. The list contained a variety of NEVs, including sedans, SUVs, and MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles). It also encompassed a few buses and pickup vehicles.

To qualify for the list, a vehicle must be priced at or below RMB 250,000 ($34,382) and have a range exceeding 400 kilometers (248 miles). The Model Y RWD, manufactured by Giga Shanghai, satisfies these criteria. It is priced at $249,990 ($34,268) before options and boasts a CLTC range of 554 kilometers.

According to industry observers, it is uncommon for a Tesla vehicle to be included in a government procurement manifest. This was due to the Chinese government's prior apprehensions regarding the data collected by Tesla's vehicles. In the past, Tesla owners in China have reported that their vehicles have been denied entry into government parks and certain airports, among other locations, due to purported security concerns.

Tesla China established a data center and ensured that all data from its local vehicle fleet would not be exported in response to the Chinese government's security concerns. In late April, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) also issued a statement acknowledging that 76 models from six car manufacturers have complied with China's data security regulations. The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, which Giga Shanghai manufactured, were included in the list.

Photo: Microsoft Bing