Watch: China-made Tesla knockoff parody is laugh-out-loud silliness
Tesla’s public image and tenure producing EVs means there are plenty of options for a cheap used model. Of course, there are always alternatives. In the case of this parody, a knockoff Tesla from China could be an option. That is, if you’re okay with a stubborn, not-quite-electric EV.
A parody of a made-in-China knockoff Tesla is a hilarious joke about a threatening and ornery EV
In a manner that brings “The Office” or “Parks & Recreation” to mind, a popular video shows a man as he talks the audience through his newest purchase. The parody shows a rebadged Tesla EV that the character purchased on Facebook Marketplace. “It’s a ‘Telsa.’ It’s sort of like a Tesla.” It only gets worse from there.
“It’s a few thousand dollars cheaper,” he says, highlighting its only redeeming quality. It turns out the fictitious EV isn’t really an EV at all. “It still takes gas,” he said to the camera. “But– it’s less of it.” The letdowns don’t stop at its gas-powered heart, either. “You can only speak to it in Mandarin,” he said. “It’s got a bit of an attitude.” He then greets the car, and it responds. “I said, ‘hello, car.’ It said I dishonor your family.” Not exactly Google built-in or Siri.
He decided it was time to step out of the faux China-made Tesla. However, the EV wouldn’t let him out. “Shouldn’t be locking on its own,” he said. “Call the fire department!” Worse yet, the non-electric EV chose to threaten him. “It just said, ‘Welcome to hell.’”
As you might expect, public commentary was a bit unhinged. “So it’s like a regular Tesla,” one viewer responded. Another commented with a gripe about their last ownership experience. “Don’t get me started on my Tesla. It was so bad that I had to turn it in under lemon law,” they said.
Other viewers were quick to point out that China has EVs figured out compared to the United States and Tesla. And they’re not entirely wrong. Recently, the Chinese automaker BYD announced that its new 1,000 kW DC fast-charging system will recover around 249 miles in just five minutes. But it likely won’t berate you in Mandarin.
