• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Mark Cuban says he has the solution to growing income inequality, and it's to reward every employee—from CEO to janitor—with company stock

2

‘I want to die broke’: Billionaire philanthropist Denny Sanford dies after giving away $4 billion

3

'Dr. Doom' Nouriel Roubini says we're headed for universal basic income or 'some form of socialism' as AI revolutionizes work—He calls that optimistic

1

Mark Cuban says he has the solution to growing income inequality, and it's to reward every employee—from CEO to janitor—with company stock

2

‘I want to die broke’: Billionaire philanthropist Denny Sanford dies after giving away $4 billion

3

'Dr. Doom' Nouriel Roubini says we're headed for universal basic income or 'some form of socialism' as AI revolutionizes work—He calls that optimistic
Tesla
Asia

Elon Musk and Tesla can perhaps breathe a small sigh of relief as they reportedly get a reprieve from the EU’s China EV probe

By
Lionel Lim
Lionel Lim
Asia Reporter
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Lionel Lim
Lionel Lim
Asia Reporter
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 27, 2023, 5:13 AM ET
A visitor tries out a Tesla Model Y at the World Internet of Things Expo in Wuxi, China, on Oct. 21, 2023.
A visitor tries out a Tesla Model Y at the World Internet of Things Expo in Wuxi, China, on Oct. 21, 2023.Bloomberg/Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk could be getting some good news on the regulatory front, following weeks of bad headlines for him and his EV company.

Recommended Video

Earlier this month, the European Union officially announced a probe into China-manufactured electric cars, alleging that the vehicles had received unfair state subsidies. European officials and carmakers are worried that Chinese manufacturers are ready to drown the market in cheap EVs, unfairly muscling out local carmakers as they try to catch up. Tesla, despite being a U.S. carmaker, manufactures half its cars in its massive Shanghai factory, many of which are bound for Europe, potentially putting the company at risk of getting swept up in the probe.

Yet Musk may be escaping Europe’s regulatory scrutiny, at least for now. The U.S. carmaker is not being investigated by regulators over market-distorting subsidies, reports the South China Morning Post. The EU is instead reportedly focusing on three Chinese manufacturers, namely BYD, SAIC Motor, and Geely.

Tesla has enough problems to worry about.

The EV maker reported weaker-than-expected third quarter earnings on Oct. 18, including a 44% year-on-year decline in net income to $1.85 billion. Tesla also reported its lowest quarterly earnings per share in two years. Musk, during the earnings call, warned that the company might not be able to sell its hotly anticipated, yet long-delayed, Cybertruck at a price affordable for most consumers.

The company also confirmed earlier this week that it was facing several probes from the U.S. Department of Justice, focusing on the advertised range of its vehicles and the possible misuse of personal benefits for Musk.

Tesla faces fierce competition in China, the world’s largest EV market. Last month, Tesla sales sunk by almost 11% year on year, despite the company embarking on a yearlong price war with rivals like BYD and Nio.

The company is now stuck trying to balance its profit margins with price cuts. On Friday, Tesla said it would increase the Chinese price of its Model Y SUV by around $2,000.

“This is an effort to raise [the] average selling price on the premium niche offering,” Bill Russo, an EV analyst based in Shanghai, says. Consumers of Tesla’s premium models may be less price conscious, he suggests.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China’s EV subsidies

The EU’s investigation, officially launched on Oct. 4, is trying to ascertain if electric-auto makers in China are receiving unfair subsidies. In an interview with the Financial Times in late September, EU Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis said there was “sufficient prima facie evidence” to justify the probe, and warned that it may not be limited to just Chinese manufacturers. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also complained that Chinese state subsidies are keeping prices artificially low.

Tesla has a huge operation in China. Production at its gigafactory in Shanghai surpassed the company’s plant in Fremont, Calif., in 2021. Tesla produced its 2 millionth EV in Shanghai last month, despite only starting operations in late 2019.

Tesla accounted for 39% of all EV exports from China in the first six months of this year, according to data compiled by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. China has now overtaken Germany and Japan to become the world’s largest auto exporter.

Beijing helps boost domestic EV production through policies like production subsidies, cheap land and loans, and grants. Subsidies for electric and hybrid vehicles amounted to $57 billion between 2016 and 2022, according to one estimate from consulting firm AlixPartners.

About the Author
By Lionel LimAsia Reporter
LinkedIn icon

Lionel Lim is a Singapore-based reporter covering the Asia-Pacific region.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

Latest in

Two students stand next to each other and look at the papers they are holding.
AIEducation
Study finds AI boosted homework scores 18%—then tanked exam results 20%
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 21, 2026
58 minutes ago
Exclusive: Twin sisters built GlossGenius into the latest female-founded unicorn. Now they’re debuting AI for small businesses far beyond beauty
NewslettersMPW Daily
Exclusive: Twin sisters built GlossGenius into the latest female-founded unicorn. Now they’re debuting AI for small businesses far beyond beauty
By Emma HinchliffeJuly 21, 2026
1 hour ago
math
AIScience
Mathematicians grapple with a ‘very rapid and very unsettling change’ as AI cracks yet another century-old problem
By Eva RoytburgJuly 21, 2026
1 hour ago
Welder on a navy boat
SuccessCareers
Jamie Dimon says six-figure shipyard jobs are the new ‘American Dream’—but candidates will need to endure hours of extreme heat, cold, and rain
By Preston ForeJuly 21, 2026
2 hours ago
Knicks star Jalen Brunson
SuccessPersonal Finance
Despite a $156 million contract, Knicks star Jalen Brunson still calls his parents for financial advice any time he makes a big purchase
By Emma BurleighJuly 21, 2026
3 hours ago
Current price of gold as of July 21, 2026
Personal Financegold prices
Current price of gold as of July 21, 2026
By Danny BakstJuly 21, 2026
5 hours ago

Most Popular

Mark Cuban says he has the solution to growing income inequality, and it's to reward every employee—from CEO to janitor—with company stock
Success
Mark Cuban says he has the solution to growing income inequality, and it's to reward every employee—from CEO to janitor—with company stock
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 20, 2026
1 day ago
‘I want to die broke’: Billionaire philanthropist Denny Sanford dies after giving away $4 billion
Success
‘I want to die broke’: Billionaire philanthropist Denny Sanford dies after giving away $4 billion
By Sydney LakeJuly 20, 2026
1 day ago
'Dr. Doom' Nouriel Roubini says we're headed for universal basic income or 'some form of socialism' as AI revolutionizes work—He calls that optimistic
AI
'Dr. Doom' Nouriel Roubini says we're headed for universal basic income or 'some form of socialism' as AI revolutionizes work—He calls that optimistic
By Jason MaJuly 18, 2026
3 days ago
Current price of silver as of Monday, July 20, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Monday, July 20, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 20, 2026
1 day ago
It’s not just Taco Bell lettuce and possible glass in Pillsbury rolls: Food and drink recall events reached a 6-year year-over-year high
Retail
It’s not just Taco Bell lettuce and possible glass in Pillsbury rolls: Food and drink recall events reached a 6-year year-over-year high
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 20, 2026
1 day ago
The Treasury is walking a tightrope on U.S. debt by relying so much on short-term rates that are at the mercy of a suddenly very hawkish Fed
Economy
The Treasury is walking a tightrope on U.S. debt by relying so much on short-term rates that are at the mercy of a suddenly very hawkish Fed
By Jason MaJuly 20, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.