Tesla Faces a Tougher Road Ahead in China

The company has not said why it will not join the more than 100 exhibitors packing China's most prestigious industry event.

HONG KONG -- Volkswagen and Mercedes were among the global automakers that flocked this week to Shanghai to display their latest electric cars, competing with a field of rapidly-emerging rivals from the local market in the largest car market on the planet.

Tesla Inc., Elon Musk’s company, is notable for its absence.