(Yicai Global) Dec. 18 -- Tesla has started mass production of its China-made Model Y vehicles at its Shanghai plant, according to a report on the tech portal of NetEase News.

The report was based on an aerial video that showed as many as 40 Model Ys wrapped in car covers in the factory’s parking lot, while staff covered over another four that had just rolled off the production line.

Mass delivery of the new vehicles is expected to begin next year, the report added.

Customers can choose their preferred specifications on Tesla’s Chinese website. Two China-made Model Ys are available online: a long-range all-wheel drive version and a high-performance version, priced at between CNY488,000 and CNY535,000 (USD74,580 and USD81,780) each. Prices may be different at the time of delivery.

Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory was the US automaker’s third and its first overseas. The plant was also the first electric car factory in China to be wholly owned by a foreign automaker.

Prior to the Model Y, the Shanghai factory only produced Model 3s. It is targeting output of 550,000 vehicles next year -- 300,000 Model 3s and 250,000 Model Ys.

Editor: Peter Thomas