BEIJING — Tesla‘s gross sales in China rose in Could from the prior month, however didn’t get well levels seen in March, based on the China Passenger Automobile Affiliation.

Tesla bought 33,463 electrical automobiles in Could, up 29% from April’s 25,845 models, information launched late Tuesday confirmed. The quantity nonetheless fell wanting March’s 35,478 automotive gross sales.

The rebound in gross sales comes regardless of growing negative press and regulatory scrutiny on Tesla over buyer reviews of brake failures. The auto trade has additionally minimize manufacturing on account of a global shortage in chips.

Tesla shares fell 0.25% within the in a single day New York buying and selling session. The inventory is down simply over 14% for the 12 months to this point.

In Could, Tesla shipped 11,527 automobiles from its Shanghai manufacturing unit, decrease than the 14,174 automobiles reported for April, the passenger automotive affiliation information confirmed. Figures for March weren’t out there.

General gross sales of pure-electric automobiles greater than doubled from a 12 months in the past, rising 186% to 162,000 models in Could, the affiliation mentioned. Some in China’s auto trade have cast doubt on the accuracy of the association’s figures.

Whereas Tesla’s automobiles rank among the many high 10 new vitality automobiles bought in China, the report mentioned native start-ups corresponding to Nio additionally carried out effectively in Could. New vitality automobiles embody hybrid-powered automobiles.

The report mentioned Volkswagen accounted for practically half, or 48%, of latest vitality car gross sales from mainstream joint ventures with international manufacturers.

Nonetheless, the report mentioned luxurious electrical automobiles from Mercedes Benz, BMW and Audi have but to see a significant enhance in buyer purchases.