Tesla Inc. prospects in China eager to get the brand new regionally made Mannequin Y are dealing with an extended wait, signaling robust preliminary demand for the Shanghai-built crossover.

A fundamental model of the electrical automobile bought now will likely be delivered within the second quarter, and a efficiency variant within the third quarter, Tesla’s web site confirmed. When Tesla introduced the worth final week and began gross sales, it mentioned deliveries would happen this month.

A powerful begin for the automobile could be a boon for Tesla because it seeks to take care of its lead within the premium phase over rivals corresponding to Nio Inc. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has mentioned the Mannequin Y has the potential to outsell all different automobiles it makes, and the corporate set the automobile’s worth beneath another marques to maintain a aggressive edge.

“Primarily based on the order consumption and our manufacturing plan, now we have adjusted the Mannequin Y supply time of newest orders to the second quarter,” a Tesla consultant mentioned Thursday by way of WeChat.

China is Tesla’s largest market after the U.S., and analysts are predicting the nation will account for a much bigger slice of its gross sales and earnings going ahead. The corporate commonly topped month-to-month premium electric-car gross sales tallies in 2020, helped by the automobiles popping out of its Shanghai plant that was launched a couple of yr in the past.

The Mannequin Y begins from 339,900 yuan ($52,600), whereas the Mannequin Y Efficiency automobile has a beginning worth of 369,900 yuan.