Tesla has started delivering Model 3 electric cars built at its Shanghai factory in just under a year since it began work on the $2 billion plant.

The U.S. electric vehicle maker on Monday said that 15 Tesla employees received cars they had purchased.

The China-made Model 3 sedans are priced at 355,800 yuan ($50,000) before subsidies. Imported Model 3 vehicles start at 439,000 yuan for the longer-range version, while the standard range plus model costs under $40,000 in the United States.

The Shanghai plant is part of Tesla’s plans to bolster its presence in the world’s biggest car market and minimize the impact of the U.S.-China trade war.

The automaker had said it wanted to start deliveries from the Shanghai plant before the Lunar New Year beginning on Jan. 25.

The plant has achieved a production target of 1,000 units a week, or around 280 cars a day, according to Tesla Chia executives,

The Chinese market is the world’s biggest for electric vehicles with 1.3 million new-energy vehicles sold last year.

Tesla's efforts in China have been supported by the country's government, and China Tesla has held many racing events and showroom parties as marketing activities. It has also building service centers and charging stations across China to assure customers of standardized after-sales service.

The car maker will double the number of service centers and fast charging stations in China next year, and plans to more than double its after-sales workforce to 1,500 from about 600 currently.