Tesla plans to begin selling an extended-wheelbase version of its Model Y sport-utility vehicle in China as early as the third quarter, according to registration documents released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and a subsequent statement on the company’s official Weibo account. The three-row, six-seat Model Y L stretches the vehicle’s wheelbase to 3,040 millimeters from the current 2,890 millimeters and brings overall length close to five meters, offering notably more cabin space. People familiar with the matter said the crossover is expected to start at about RMB 400,000 (US$55,720) and feature all-wheel drive and updated interior trims. By enlarging its best-selling model, Tesla is seeking to shore up its position in the world’s biggest electric-vehicle market, where domestic brands are pushing into larger family SUVs. Nio co-founder William Li welcomed the move as another sign that “the era of electrified large-space SUVs has arrived,” while Li Auto simultaneously opened pre-orders for its six-seat Li i8, priced between RMB 350,000 and RMB 400,000. Tesla delivered 9,400 New Model Ys in China last week and continues to export vehicles from its Shanghai plant to other Asian markets. The company has not disclosed whether the long-wheelbase variant will be built outside China or offered in additional regions.