(Yicai) Dec. 26 -- An insider at Tesla rebutted speculation that the US electric automaker will sell cars through the e-commerce platform of China’s JD.Com after an intriguing post appeared on their Chinese social media accounts.

Claims that Tesla will sell its models on JD’s platform are false, the person told Yicai yesterday. Beijing-based JD.Com has yet to comment.

JD.Com posted a picture of a red Tesla car with the caption "See you on Dec. 31" on Weibo yesterday, with the carmaker reposting it soon after.

Tesla and JD.Com may advance their tie-up in the home power charging and energy storage areas, an industry insider told Yicai. The Tesla insider advised waiting for an official announcement.

Earlier this year, Tesla announced that it would debut on JD’s site and also open flagship stores on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, and Alibaba Group Holding's Tmall marketplace. The carmaker sells its electric vehicle charging piles, chargers, and other products for use at home through its JD store.

Tesla's Chief Executive Elon Musk has opposed marketing and third-party dealers on e-commerce sites, so the carmaker has never sold EVs on such platforms.

Tesla had a sales dispute with Chinese discount site Pinduoduo in 2020 when a Tesla Model 3 was sold for only CNY251,800 (USD35,241) via group buying, a CNY20,000 (USD2,799) discount on the official price. Tesla later published a statement denying the seller's authenticity and saying it retained the right to hold him accountable for his action. 

Editors: Shi Yi, Martin Kadiev