Andy Nurman
January 5, 2024
The southwestern Chinese city of Leshan, steeped in over 2,000 years of history and culture, is embracing the future with the newly opened Leshan Tesla Center. Situated along the confluence of the Dadu and Min rivers in the shadow of sacred Mount Emei, the sleek and modern Tesla Center stands in striking contrast to Leshan’s ancient past.
Once a key trading post along the Silk Road known as Jiazhou, Leshan is best recognized today for its Grand Buddha, an imposing 233-foot stone statue carved into the side of Mount Lingyun in the 8th century. The Tesla Center’s smooth lines and high-tech sheen make for a noticeable counterpoint beside the weathered visage of the Grand Buddha, which has watched over the rivers for over 1,200 years.
While the Grand Buddha draws tourists from around the world, the high-powered electric vehicles and solar products showcased at the new Tesla Center may soon power Leshan into a greener future. The city government hopes the Center will showcase innovation and position Leshan as a regional leader in sustainability.
As the morning sun rises over Mount Emei’s mist-shrouded temples, the Tesla Center’s gleaming panels give promise to a new day in this ancient place. Leshan stands with one foot planted in its storied past and another stepping decisively into the 21st century.
Our Thoughts
Tesla’s Q4 2023 performance surpassed analyst expectations, delivering 485,000 vehicles and bringing the 2023 total to a record 1.8 million. This strong performance, largely driven by robust demand in the Chinese market, is expected to translate into significant financial gains. So it’s not surprising that Tesla is strategically expanding its footprint in China, opening new centers to cater to the growing customer base and further solidify its market position.
