The Tesla Paradox: Why People Pay More for Less (Compared to Chinese EVs)

I sat in a Model 3 a few years ago during an exhibition. The salesperson said that I could try it, but I was not interested in EVs, especially Tesla; my focus was only on the car.

Model 3 is basic; it reminds me of some 90s mid-range sedans or base trim ones that you buy when you are on a budget; the interior is ordinary and nothing special; the seats and materials are also not satisfying, as they feel cheap; basically, it’s plastic everywhere.

But Tesla is authentic; they don’t copy the design of a car, and if you are in the US, basically you are buying the charging network and driving comfort. Until now, Tesla is still the EV with the largest charging network; nothing comes close, I think, and technology-wise, Tesla is also sophisticated, not over-the-top, but it is enough, maybe the same as Apple in the automotive field. I think that’s why people buy it.

The car is just great in terms of build quality. I’m not talking about panel gaps or whatnot that people are talking about in the Cybertruck; this is a functional and understandable car. Tesla didn’t go overboard with the interior and features; they only packed in the essentials. I like their approach, and everything is interesting. We get what we need in the car.

Tesla is a hip car; everything is original and authentic where you buy it because it was a safe bet.

Some time ago I tried the BYD Seal; it’s only half the price of the Model 3, and in terms of function, it’s the same; the range is almost the same with better build quality; basically, it’s a better car.

But unfortunately, there is no originality from the car; it seems all of them are mashups of many cars found by BYD designers, and considering China’s history, I’m not surprised; I mean, they are not synonymous with “originality,” and anyway, it’s BYD; people won’t think it’s as cool as Tesla; it’s just a means of transportation, nothing more; maybe the same as cheap Android phones and iPhones; some choose iPhones because of their prestige.

I think that’s the reason people buy Teslas rather than Chinese cars. The peace of mind provided by Chinese brands is less guaranteed, and in some ways the cars are less cool. Certain features, such as charging stations, are also widely not provided by BYD. If you live in a developed country, maybe Tesla wins far with their Supercharger. BYD has not reached this stage even though they have won far in terms of quantity.

Maybe right now it looks like Tesla is losing to the flood of Chinese cars—and yeah, Musk himself isn’t exactly helping—but I still think Tesla comes out ahead. They're original. Their designs aren’t copycat knockoffs, and the fact that they’ve built a reputation as a cool, innovative brand really works in their favor. I feel like a lot of people will keep buying Teslas for that reason alone. The other cars? They’ll sell, sure, but they’re kind of generic. Nothing special. Not enough to dominate.

That’s why I think Tesla can still lead: they’ve had time to establish their name and brand, and people actually remember and like them. The newer brands are still trying to figure out who they are and build a following. Tesla’s already past that stage—now they just need to hang on and make it through.

In the end, it’s just a matter of brand; Tesla is considered cooler and more prestigious, while Chinese cars are not. The debate is the same as cheap Chinese Android phones versus iPhones; both may be the same phones, but the features and feel are different. Most people still trust Tesla for reasons that are not much different from the examples above.