Memes mocked the new model, analysts questioned its appeal and investors sold the automaker’s stock. A former Ferrari chairman warned of “the destruction of a legend.”

© Ferrari Press Office, via AFP -- Getty Images

A few seconds of selfie awkwardness between Elon Musk and Lei Jun, a prominent Chinese entrepreneur, has spread like wildfire on China’s social media.

Mr. Musk is part of a delegation of business leaders to China, where his interests include Tesla’s electric vehicle factory and solar panels.

Electric vehicle sales have soared in Europe and much of the rest of the world, but Americans are still hesitant.

The country’s exports surged and its trade surplus with the United States widened ahead of President Trump’s scheduled visit next week to Beijing.

Chinese automakers do not belong on American soil.

Beijing depended on Hungary’s outgoing leader, Viktor Orban, to gain a toehold in Europe. A giant battery factory proved a step too far.

Ford Motor has written off $20 billion in electric vehicle investments but says it is forging ahead with an electric pickup that will sell for $30,000 next year.

People in Costa Rica and other Latin American, Asian and African countries are increasingly buying electric vehicles to avoid spiking fuel prices.

Geely is challenging the giant BYD by adapting quickly to swings in demand and energy prices, seizing on interest in electric vehicles prompted by the war in Iran.