MEXICO CITY (AP) — Snubbed by Tesla, Mexico’s new president pledged Friday to create a Mexican-made small, affordable electric car to compete with vehicles imported from China. President Claudia Sheinbaum said Teslas were too “onerous,” or expensive, for the Mexican market anyway. Tesla’s cheapest car, the Model 3, costs about $30,000.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum pledges a homegrown, affordable electric car, challenging Tesla and Chinese imports. Despite issues like lithium shortages and high power rates, Sheinbaum aims to unite Mexican companies and researchers.

Mexicos President Claudia Sheinbaum announces plans for a small, affordable electric car to compete with imports, aiming for local production.

Claudia Sheinbaum said her government will try to bring together Mexican companies and researchers to produce a “compact, cheap electric car.”