Southeast Asia has emerged as one of the hottest EV markets and could boost Tesla at a time when demand is slowing in its two biggest markets: China and the US

Nissan’s Chinese sales dropped by 16% last year while Honda’s were down about 10% in the world’s biggest auto market

Both firms have seen their market shares squeezed by local rivals such as smartphone-maker Huawei and electric vehicle giant BYD, while a larger economic slowdown shadows China

The world’s two biggest EV-makers have been locked in a drawn-out and brutal price war in China since the beginning of last year

Reports of BYD’s plans to expand production in Mexico spurred speculation that the EV giant was looking for a way into the US car market

Auto industry lobbyists say firms like China’s BYD are benefiting from the North American free trade agreement at the expense of domestic carmakers

Exports have helped drive subsidised Chinese automakers' growth but they are now seeing pushback from US and European governments

The Chinese EV outfit is predicting a $4billion-plus net profit for last year despite intensified competition in the sector

"Our observation is generally that the Chinese car companies are the most competitive car companies in the world," the Tesla chief said at a post-earnings call

China’s automakers have been placing orders for their own transport vessels in a bid to counter rising shipping costs

Brussels is determined to establish the impact of state subsidies on Chinese-made electric vehicles which it claims disadvantages its own automakers

The Chinese EV-maker's bumper sales suggest car buyers are looking for cheaper models in a high-interest-rate economy