Tesla started to deliver its latest six-seat Model Y L electric vehicles(EV)in China,according to a statement the company sent to the Global Times on Thursday.

The move is seen as the US automaker's response to increasingly intense competition in the world's largest automobile market with local rivals.

The Model Y L model,produced by Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory,is larger than the standard Model Y,with its length extended by 179 millimeters and wheelbase by 150 millimeters,offering a more spacious cabin with a six-seat layout.

And,Tesla launched the long-range,rear-wheel-drive Model 3,which has a range of 830 kilometers and accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 5.2 seconds,the company statement read.

Tesla's office in China said its Shanghai Gigafactory delivered 83,192 vehicles in August,the highest monthly sale of the year,by citing data from the China Passenger Car Association.

Industry analysts said that Tesla retains some of its first-mover and technological advantages in the EV sector,but these advantages are no longer as pronounced as before.They noted that the launch of more specialized models,such as the Model Y L and long-range Model 3 is meant to strengthen Tesla's competitiveness in the Chinese market.