Tesla opens doors in Beijing

The Tesla Model S sedan electric car is displayed at the North American International Auto Show at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan, January 12, 2010. [File photo/Image China]

"Tesla has a unique positioning in the automobile market, as a big, green toy for the rich," said Zhang Junyi, auto analyst with Roland Berger Strategy Consultants.

That's not only in the US. He said he recently heard that an entrepreneur from Jinhua, Zhejiang province, had ordered one.

Zhong Shi, an independent auto analyst based in Beijing, agreed with Zhang: "There will always be wealthy people who want to try the latest thing."

Zhong said that its luxury styling, fancy interior, intelligent control, trendy reputation and high performance will help make the Tesla Model S an inviting plaything for Chinese moguls.

"Compared to the millions of yuan price of super sports cars, the cost of the Model S is reasonable and competitive for those who want an eye-catching trophy," added Zhang.

"Tesla is perfect for the conspicuous consumer of luxury goods."

He predicted that the popularity of Tesla as a niche market for the rich will help widen the acceptability of electric vehicles in China and speed the establishment of infrastructure for them.

Though Zhong said he believes Tesla's sales in China likely won't reach four digits in the near future.

In his view, what suits the Chinese market more is a smaller electric vehicle with low to medium speed, intelligent functions and trendy design.