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Tesla Delays Its Debut in China
Tesla Motors Inc., which aimed to begin selling electric vehicles in China at the start of this year, has postponed the launch because a businessman there has claimed trademark rights to the Tesla brand name, Reuters reports.
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Tesla Motors Inc., which aimed to begin selling electric vehicles in China at the start of this year, has postponed the launch because a businessman there has claimed trademark rights to the Tesla brand name, Reuters reports.
Unidentified sources also tell the news service that Tesla has not yet completed product registration of its $69,900 Model S electric sedan but expects to do so soon.
Zhan Baosheng registered the Tesla name in 2006, according to Reuters. He has said previously that his company is seeking investors to build an EV for the Chinese market.
Zhan operates a Tesla Motors Web site with a logo that is virtually identical to that of the California-based company, although the model pictured there does not resemble the Model S.
China's porous trademark rules protect brands with an established reputation in the country. But legal experts say a new brand such as Tesla could have difficulty prevailing, according to the news service. They add that Tesla could be forced to buy Zhan's rights to resolve the issue.
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