July 2 (Reuters) - Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) on Sunday said it delivered a record number of vehicles in the second quarter, topping market estimates as price cuts and U.S. federal credits helped make its electric vehicles more affordable.
"The price cuts was a smart poker move for Tesla and paying major dividends in the field especially for the China market," Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, said.
Tesla is expected to hit record sales in China, its second-largest market after North America, despite stiff competition from market leader BYD .
Tesla has cut prices starting in China since late last year, eroding its first-quarter margins.
Reuters GraphicsThe company delivered 446,915 Model 3 compact cars and Model Y sport-utility vehicle, as well as 19,225 of its Model S and Model X premium vehicles.
Persons:
Elon, Tesla, Dan Ives, BYD, Ives, Elon Musk, Akash Sriram, Shivani, Hyun Joo Jin, Sriraj Kalluvila, Lisa Shumaker
Organizations:
Tesla Inc, Refinitiv, Tesla, Wedbush Securities, Reuters Graphics, Ford, General Motors, Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
China, North America, United States, Shivani Tanna, Bengaluru