Tesla in clash of titans with China's Pinduoduo over discounted sales

US carmaker cancels order in strongest pushback yet from Western upscale brand

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Tesla's storefront in Shanghai: The EV maker, which sold over 11,000 cars in China last month, lashed out at e-commerce platform Pinduoduo, telling it to stop "manipulating public opinion." (Photo by Alex Fang)

ALEX FANG, Nikkei staff writer

NEW YORK -- Tesla has found itself mired in a conflict with Chinese e-commerce upstart Pinduoduo after a dispute that started last month over discounted sales of Model 3s on the platform escalated this week.

The American electric vehicle maker, which refused to deliver cars purchased from the discount retailer citing its no resale policy, on Tuesday disputed a report that it allowed one such order, and urged Pinduoduo to stop "manipulating public opinion for its own gain."

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