Tesla now has an online store on Alibaba’s Tmall, which sells branded car accessories. Fans who are willing to splurge can purchase a range of products, including a Model 3-shaped car key for 1,200 yuan (US$170), a car mat for 1,500 yuan (US$212), or a set of two coat hooks for 370 yuan (US$52).
(Abacus is a unit of the South China Morning Post, which is owned by Alibaba.)
Notably missing are the Tesla-branded mugs and 1:18 car models that were available for purchase on Tesla’s Amazon store. You can’t buy a car from the store, either. But for 1 yuan (14 US cents), you can reserve a slot to test-drive a Model 3, Model X or Model S with one of Tesla’s outlets.
With more car dealers in China turning to live streaming to promote sales, Tesla is following suit. It’s set to stream on Tmall for eight straight days starting next week. That’s just one of the many ways the American automaker has been trying to woo China by adapting to local culture. At a Shanghai event last year, CEO Elon Musk showed off his “NSFW” dance moves at a Shanghai event, following a well-wrung tradition of Chinese tech bosses performing on stage.