BEIJING — Tesla Inc. stated Friday it has began promoting the China-made Mannequin Y crossover and can ship them to clients beginning this month, because the U.S. electrical car maker expands gross sales on the planet’s greatest automotive market.

China, which affords hefty subsidies for EVs because it seeks to chop down on air pollution from gasoline or diesel autos, is vital to Tesla’s world technique. It’s increasing a Shanghai meeting plant, the place it additionally builds the Mannequin 3 sedan. In October, it began exporting the Mannequin 3 to Europe.

Additionally it is including manufacturing capability for EV chargers in Shanghai and increasing its gross sales and repair community across the nation. It bought over 20,000 autos in November.

The beginning value of a Mannequin Y in China is now 339,900 yuan ($52,091.95), in accordance with Tesla’s China web site.

Tesla’s rivals in China embrace Volkswagen Group, BMW, in addition to native startups resembling Nio Inc., Xpeng Inc., and Li Auto Inc., which all construct and market electrical crossovers fashions.